Do you like Science? Do you want to be a researcher? Or are you just looking for an alternative to JEE and NEET? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, then you must consider IISER or the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research for your higher studies. In this article, we will explore how you can get into IISER for your undergraduate studies in 2024.
Are you Still trying to decide if IISERs are worth studying? Click here.
What Are IISERs ?
Today, IISERs, alongside IISc and NISER, proves to be the best place for science enthusiasts who have a research mindset and want to pursue basic and fundamental science. Usually, students with a science background either try for engineering or medicine. Both IIT and AIIMS are saturated, and science students do not have many options left with them. IISERs here can be your escape route from the usual and saturated fields of engineering and medicine.
IISERs offers an exciting five-year integrated BS-MS program along with some BS programs. To get into this program, anyone with a science background, with either PCB or PCM in their 10+2, can appear for an entrance exam conducted by IISER called the IISER Aptitude Test or IAT.
What Is the BS-MS Programme?
The 5-Year-Integrated BS-MS programme offered by IISERs is a flagship programme that integrates classroom teaching along with hands-on research and laboratory training. BS-MS programme is generally offered in different science disciplines (Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Maths). Along with this, some IISERs offer BS-MS programs in other disciplines like Data Science and Earth and Environmental Science. IISER Bhopal also offers a 4-year BS program in Economic Science and Engineering Physics.
To learn more about different courses offered by IISERs, click here.
What Is IAT?
Thousands of students apply for IISER every year, but only a few of them get selected. Since IISERs are premium institutes, it ensures that only talented and worthy students get a chance to be part of the IISER community. So, to test the worth of the applying candidates, IISER conducts a rigorous entrance test – IAT or IISER Aptitude Test.
As mentioned, unlike traditional engineering and medical colleges, IISERs are dedicated to research. Research requires conceptual clarity, problem-solving skills, and strong foundational knowledge, among other skills. Hence, only students possessing these capabilities will make a good researcher. Hence, the IAT is designed to test students on these grounds. No doubt, the IAT has a different exam pattern when compared to other national-level tests.
- IISER conducts a rigorous entrance test – IAT or IISER Aptitude Test to test the worth of the applying candidates.
- IAT is designed to test students on conceptual clarity, problem-solving skills, and strong foundational knowledge.
- IISERs are dedicated to research, and research requires specific skills that the IAT is designed to test.
When Will IAT Be Conducted This Year?
IAT is generally conducted in the month of June. This year, IAT is scheduled for the 9th of June, 2024. Important Dates for IAT is given 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.
Registration:
All the registration for IAT will be through online mode. All the application will can be made through the official website of IISER: https://iiseradmission.in/
During the online registration process, you may need the following documents, and it is suggested to keep them handy during the registration process:
- Xth Admit Card and Marksheet
- XIIth Admit Card and Marksheet
- Valid ID Proof like Adhar Card, Voter ID, etc.
Hall Ticket And Important Documents:
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.
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.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You must be an Indian Citizen
- You must have passed Class XII or equivalent exam with science stream in 2022, 2023, or 2024. This is w.e.f. 2024. This means that second droppers are also allowed this year and if you are a second dropper, this is a best opportunity for you.
- You must have taken at least three subjects among Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in your +2
- 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
What Is The Exam Pattern?
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. For example, to get into IISER Pune, you must score close to 200 marks. Hence, it becomes crucial to solve both Maths and Biology sections. 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.
What Is The Syllabus?
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 IAT 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 organisation 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 | Behaviour 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 Cut-Off?
The cut-off that SciAstra predicted for the year 2023 is given below. It was 100-110 for IISER Berhampur and 160-180 for IISER Pune. For IAT Madras, the cut-off was 150-170 and for IISc, it was 170-200. These are for general categories. Check the table below for other colleges and other categories:
| College | General | EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
| IISc | 170-200 | 140-160 | 140-160 | 100-120 | 80-100 |
| Pune | 160-180 | 120-140 | 120-140 | 70-90 | 60-80 |
| IIT Madras | 150-170 | 110-130 | 110-130 | 80-90 | 70-80 |
| Kolkata | 140-160 | 100-120 | 100-120 | 70-80 | 60-70 |
| Mohali | 110-130 | 80-90 | 80-90 | 65-70 | 50-60 |
| Bhopal | 110-130 | 80-90 | 80-90 | 65-70 | 50-60 |
| TVM | 110-120 | 80-85 | 80-85 | 55-65 | 40-50 |
| Tirupati | 100-110 | 75-85 | 75-85 | 50-60 | 30-40 |
| Berhampur | 100-110 | 75-85 | 75-85 | 50-60 | 30-40 |
Please check our blog on cut-off and Rank vs Marks for more information.
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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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:
In conclusion, the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) is one of the most prestigious institutes in India, offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in science, engineering, and mathematics. The IISERs conduct an annual entrance exam, IAT, to select students for their Integrated BS-MS program. To prepare for the IAT, it is essential to familiarise oneself with its unique exam pattern, practise key topics, and enrol in online courses. SciAstra offers various courses for IAT preparation, specifically focusing on PCB and PCM students to help them solve sections that they have not studied in their +2. By following the above-mentioned tips and enrolling in SciAstra’s online courses, students can ace the IAT and secure admission to one of the top institutes in the country.
FAQs:
- 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.
- 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.
- When is the IAT exam, and what are the eligibility criteria?
The 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
