IAT Exam 2024: Eligibility, Important Dates, Application Fee and Other Details

Are you interested in Science? Are you aspiring to become a researcher, or are you exploring alternatives to JEE and NEET? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s essential to consider IISER (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research) for your higher studies. IISER conducts its own entrance test called the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) annually. In this article, we will understand in detail about all the aspects of IAT 2024.

Note that earlier, IISER used to take admission based on JEE scores. But this year, IISER has announced that all the admission will be through IAT only.

What Is IAT?

The IAT, or IISER Aptitude Test, is an entrance examination conducted by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) for admission into its 5-Year Integrated BS-MS program. IISER Aptitude Test tests candidates’ proficiency in the sciences and their analytical abilities. The examination typically evaluates candidates in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. IAT tests not only factual knowledge but also problem-solving skills. This is because IISER Aptitude Test aims to identify candidates with a strong aptitude for scientific research and a passion for the subject.

Apart from IISER, IISc Bangalore and IIT Madras also accept IAT scores for admission into some of their undergraduate programs.

When is IAT conducted?

IAT is conducted once every year. It is typically conducted in June. This year, IISER Aptitude Test will be conducted on the 9th of June. The important dates are mentioned below:

Application Portal Opens	April 1, 2024
Last Date For Application	May 13, 2024
Release of Hall Ticket	Generally In June
Exam Date	June 9, 2024
Display of Answer Key	Just After Exam
The Portal opens to file an objection	Generally, in June End
IAT Result Declaration	Generally, In July

Please follow our YouTube channel ‘Vivek NISER | SciAstra’ for the latest updates.

What is the Eligibility Criteria for IAT?

IISER Aptitude Test mentions the following eligibility criteria on its website:

1. You must be an Indian Citizen
2. You must have passed Class XII or equivalent exam with science stream in 2022, 2023, or 2024. This means that second droppers are also allowed.
3. You must have taken at least three subjects among Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in your +2
4. If you belong to the SC/ST category, you must have secured 55% aggregate or equivalent grade in XII. If you belong to any other category, you must have secured 60% aggregate or equivalent grade in XII

How much is the Application Fee?

• INR 2000 for candidates applying under GEN, EWS and OBC-NCL categories
• INR 1000 for candidates applying under PWD, SC/ST categories and for Kashmiri migrants
• The application fee is the same for male and female candidates.

What is the Hall Ticket?

A Hall Ticket is like an admit card. IAT issues hall tickets to all the registered candidates. On the day of the examination, you need to bring your hall ticket printed on an A4 sheet. You also need to stick your photograph on the hall ticket and put your signature on the same. It will be collected at your exam centre.

What are Other Important Documents?

Apart from the Hall Ticket, you also need to carry a xerox of valid ID proof. This can be your Passport, PAN card, Driving License, photo-passed Nationalised Bank Passbook, UID Aadhar card, etc. 

Apart from this, you also need to take a signed self-declaration form to the exam centre.

During the online registration process, you may need the following documents, and it is suggested to keep them handy during the registration process:

1. Xth Admit Card and Marksheet
2. XIIth Admit Card and Marksheet
3. Valid ID Proof like Adhar Card, Voter ID, etc.

What is the Syllabus for IAT?

IAT is based on the NCERT for Class XI and XII. But more than NCERT is required. Hence, check the SciAstra app and website for IISER Aptitude Test resources. Also, check the SciAstra app for solved PYQs of IAT. A detailed syllabus is given below. Also, download and check the SciAstra app. A PDF of the syllabus is present in the ‘free materials section’ in the app. There might be changes in the syllabus this year. Please follow our YouTube channel ‘Vivek NISER | SciAstra’ for the latest updates.

Biology	Chemistry	Physics	Mathematics
Diversity in the living world	Structure of the Atom	Physical World and Measurement	Sets
Structural organization in animals and plants	Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties	Kinematics	Relations and functions
Cell structure and function	Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure	Laws of Motion	Trigonometric Functions
Plant and Animal physiology	States of Matter	Work, Energy and Power	Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Human physiology	Thermodynamics	Motion of Systems of Particles and Rigid Body	Principle of Mathematical Induction
Reproduction	Equilibrium	Gravitation	Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations
Genetics and evolution	Redox Reactions	Properties of bulk matter	Linear Inequalities
Biology and human welfare	Hydrogen	Thermodynamics	Permutations and Combinations
Biotechnology and its application	The s-block Elements	Behavior of perfect gas and kinetic energy	Binomial Theorem
Ecology and environment	The p-block Elements	Oscillations	Sequences and Series
	Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques	Waves	Straight Lines
	Hydrocarbons	Electrostatics	Conic Sections
	Environmental Chemistry	Current Electricity	Three Dimensional Geometry
	The solid state	Magnetic effect of current and magnetism	Limits and Derivatives
	Solutions	Electromagnetic Induction	Mathematical Reasoning
	Electrochemistry	Alternating Current	Statistics
	Chemical Kinetics	Electromagnetic Waves	Probability
	Surface chemistry	Optics	Matrices
	General principles and processes of isolation of elements	Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter	Determinants
	The d- & f-block elements	Atoms	Continuity and Differentiability
	Coordination compounds	Nuclei	Application of Derivatives
	Haloalkanes and haloarenes	Electronic devices	Integrals
	Alcohols, phenols and ethers	Communication Systems	Applications of integrals
	Aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids		Differential equations
	Organic compounds containing nitrogens		Vectors
	Biomolecules		Linear Programming
	Polymers
	Chemistry in everyday life

What is the Exam Pattern for IAT?

IAT is a computer-based offline test. It consists of 60 questions, 15 each from four sections: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.

The marking scheme is given below:

• For each correct answer, you will be awarded +4 marks
• For each incorrect answer, one mark will be deducted
• No marks for unanswered questions

All the questions are Multiple Choice Questions with only single correct answers. Total time for answering the test is 3 hours or 180 minutes.

Are both Math And Biology sections compulsory?

The common problem of both PCB and PCM students is that both the Maths and Biology sections are present in the IAT question paper. These sections are not optional. Although, since both PCB and PCM students appear for the exam, if you skip one of these sections, it should not hamper your result much.

But note that if you attempt both sections, it greatly enhances your chances of getting selected. But how can a PCB student solve the maths section and vice-versa? SciAstra comes to your rescue. We have several courses for IAT preparation, and we specifically focus on PCB and PCM students to help them solve the sections that they have not studied in their +2.  Click here to learn more about our course.

How To Prepare For IAT?

IAT has a unique exam pattern. Hence, it requires a different strategy. SciAstra has come up with the following strategy that can help you ace IAT.

1. Understand the unique exam pattern of IAT by solving mock tests: IAT has a unique exam pattern. Solve the mock tests on the SciAstra app available for free to familiarise yourself with the exam pattern.
2. Practise Key Topics: There are certain topics that are frequently covered in IAT. You must have deeper conceptual clarity on those topics. You must practice IAT PYQs for the same. SciAstra provides solved PYQs of IAT as well as other exams. You can check important topics in the ‘Free Materials’ section of the SciAstra app. Download our app now!
3. Enrol in SciAstra online courses: SciAstra’s online courses have helped many NEET students clear the IAT and other competitive exams like NEST, CMI, and ISI. Join SciAstra now.

Conclusion:

IAT is an annual offline computer-based test conducted by IISER for admission into its 5-year Integrated BS-MS course. IAT scores are also used for admission into undergraduate programs at IIT Madras and IISc. IAT is a unique exam that is conducted to test the problem-solving skills and conceptual clarity of the candidates. It has its own unique exam pattern and marking scheme. Read this article in detail to know all about IAT.

FAQs:

1. How to prepare for IAT?

Take help from SciAstra. SciAstra is like your friend and mentor. Through our youtube channel and website, we do not just guide students about different exams, we also provide courses that can help you ace exams like NEST. Click here to know more.

2. What is IISER, and why is its entrance exam different?

IISER stands for Indian Institute of Science Education and Research. It offers a unique 5-year BS-MS program focusing on research and requires strong conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills. Unlike JEE and NEET, IAT assesses these abilities through a non-traditional exam pattern.

3. When is the IAT exam, and what are the eligibility criteria?

wThe IAT exam will be conducted on the 9th of June this year (2024). You must be an Indian citizen with a Class XII qualification (or equivalent) and have studied at least three of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics in Class XII. Second droppers are allowed.

4. What is the exam format and marking scheme?

IAT is a 3-hour computer-based test with 60 multiple-choice questions (15 each from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics). Each correct answer earns 4 marks, each incorrect answer deducts 1 mark, and there’s no penalty for unattempted questions. The total score out of 240 determines your rank.

5. Are both Math and Biology sections mandatory?

Yes, both sections are compulsory. While skipping one won’t significantly impact your result if both PCB and PCM students are taking the exam, attempting both sections significantly improves your chances.

6. How can I prepare for the IAT exam?

Familiarize yourself with the unique exam pattern by taking mock tests. Focus on key topics through past year question papers and practice problems. Consider enrolling in online courses designed specifically for IAT preparation, like those offered by SciAstra.

7. Where can I find more information about the IAT exam?

The official website for IAT is iiseradmission.in. You can also find valuable resources and preparation materials on websites like SciAstra, which offers courses specifically tailored for IAT aspirants.

About us:

SciAstra is a team of scientists and research scholars from the top research institutes around the world, like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and so on. Our vision is to promote critical thinking and scientific temperament by helping students pursue careers in science.

We offer many free and paid courses where our mentors from the top research institutes like IISER, NISER, IACS, CMI, ISI, IISC Bangalore, etc., teach students in live classes, with study materials,  mock tests, books, and everything needed. We have taught more than 10,000 students already since 2021 and achieved over 1000 selections with AIR 1, 7,10, 12, and 13 in  IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, NISER, IACS, and so on.  If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2024, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!

To know more about us, click here OR download the SciAstra App from the Play Store and App Store!