Sciastra
Updated at Mar 28, 2026
· 1 min read
The IAT 2026 exam authority has released the updated IISER exam pattern 2026 at iiseradmission.in. Based on the pattern, the IISER Aptitude Test will be conducted in CBT/online mode for the duration of three hours in only one shift. The date for IAT 2026 is June 7, 2026.
There will be 60 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that the exam officials will ask in the exam from the Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Mathematics Subjects.
Before starting the preparation, candidates must know the exam pattern and IISER 2026 syllabus, which will help them know the types of questions, exam difficulty, and depth of the subjects in detail.
Check out the IAT 2026 negative marking scheme, exam pattern, and subject-wise question division on this SciAstra exam page.
Latest Update:
IAT 2026 Changes in Courses, Seats, Syllabus & More
IAT 2026 to be held on June 7; Application Starts on March 5; Check New Updates & Eligibility Here
IISER 2026 Exam Pattern Highlights
Candidates taking the IISER entrance exam 2026 can check out the overview of the exam pattern from here:
Aspect | Details |
Exam Name | IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2026 |
Conducting Body | Any one of the IISERs |
Purpose | Entrance for UG programs (BS / BS-MS) in IISERs |
Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
Language / Medium | English & Hindi |
Number of Sections | 4 (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology) |
Number of Questions | 60 total (15 questions per subject) |
Score Range | –60 to +240 (theoretically) |
Eligibility (Subject-wise) | Candidate must have taken at least three of the four subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics) in Class XII. |
Also Read: IISER Previous Year Question Papers
What is the exam pattern of the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)?
The IAT exam pattern provides an overview of the structure of the exam. As per the pattern, the exam is conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mode. Multiple-choice based questions are asked in it. The total number of questions is 60.
The duration of the IAT is 3 hours. There are four sections – Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology – in the exam question paper.
Are there any changes in the IAT exam pattern for 2026?
There are no changes in the IAT exam pattern in 2026. The exam mode is online (CBT) and the duration is 3 hours. It has 60 questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology, 15 questions in each section.
IAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Check out the IISER entrance exam pattern 2026 from below:
Features | Details |
|---|
Mode of Exam | Online/CBT |
Medium of Exam | Bilingual (Hindi & English) |
Frequency of Exam | Once in a year |
Number of Sections | 4 |
Number of Questions | 60 Questions |
Types of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
Total Marks | 240 Marks |
Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer and -1 for incorrect answers |
Also Read: IAT Preparation Books
How many sections are there in the IAT question paper?
There are four sections in the IAT question paper:
1. Physics (15 questions, 60 marks)
2. Chemistry (15 questions, 60 marks)
3. Mathematics (15 questions, 60 marks)
4. Biology (15 questions, 60 marks)
All the questions in these sections are multiple-choice based questions (MCQs). These questions are asked from NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 PCB syllabi.
Are all four subjects (PCMB) compulsory in the IAT?
The question paper of IAT contains all four sections: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. But, it is not compulsory for candidates to attempt all four sections to get admission to IISERs. It is recommended to attempt all four sections to increase your overall score and chances of selection.
For admission to IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, and IISc Bengaluru, it is compulsory to attempt Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
IAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme
Candidates can check out the marking scheme for the correct answer and incorrect answers from here:
Subject | No of Questions | Correct Answer | Incorrect Answer |
|---|
Physics | 15 | +4 | -1 |
Chemistry | 15 | +4 | -1 |
Mathematics | 15 | +4 | -1 |
Biology | 15 | +4 | -1 |
Also Read: IISER Cut Off
Are all four subjects (PCMB) compulsory in the IAT?
The question paper of IAT contains all four sections: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. But, it is not compulsory for candidates to attempt all four sections to get admission to IISERs. It is recommended to attempt all four sections to increase your overall score and chances of selection.
For admission to IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, and IISc Bengaluru, it is compulsory to attempt Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
What is the duration of the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)?
The duration of IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) is 3 hours (80 minutes). PwD candidates having disabilities with at least 40% impairment as applicable are eligible for one hour compensatory time in the IISER Aptitude Test. Therefore, the total duration of the exam for candidates belonging to PwD Category is 4 hours.
All the candidates will have to visit the IAT exam centre allotted to them to take the exam. It will be conducted online in computer-based test (CBT) mode.
IISER Exam 2026 Test Series Launched
The SciaAstra team has recently launched a FOCUS test series, which will emphasise Full Online Controlled Understanding and Simulation, helping candidates experience the real-time environment of the IISER aptitude test 2026.
The IAT 2026 FOCUS mock test is designed based on the official exam pattern, and the difficulty level is determined through an in-depth analysis of previous years’ question papers. Candidates will get Unit-wise, Half-length, and Full-length test series, covering all chapters to assess their domain understanding, cognitive skills, and analytical abilities as per the IISER 2026 syllabus.
Attempt the IISER Exam 2026 Test Series to check your exam preparation level to get admissions to the IISERs and IISc Bangalore:
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Start Your IISER 2026 Preparation
Every year, the difficulty level and competition for the IAT exam continue to rise, making early and strategic preparation essential for success. With expert guidance from dedicated mentors at SciAstra, you can strengthen your preparation and secure admission to prestigious BS-MS, BS, or BTech programmes at IISERs, IISc, and IIT Madras.
Explore the IISER 2026 preparation batches offered by SciAstra and choose the one that best fits your goals — start your journey today!
Check out IAT/NEST 2026 Exam Preparation Courses for Class 11 of Sciastra from here:
Check out IAT/NEST 2026 Exam Preparation Courses for Class 12 of Sciastra from here:
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