What is IISER?
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.
Is IAT Different From Other Exams?
IISER is a group of research institutes that are nationally recognized for their importance. The 5-year Integrated BS-MS course offered by IISER is well-known for providing a combination of classroom teaching and hands-on research experience. This program is open to higher studies school students in India who have completed their 10+2 or equivalent exams from any recognized board in Science Stream. However, admission to IISER is highly competitive, with thousands of students applying every year, but only a select few being accepted.
As IISER is a premium institute, it only accepts talented and deserving students into its community. To evaluate the worth of candidates applying, IISER conducts a rigorous entrance test known as the IAT or IISER Aptitude Test.
Unlike traditional engineering and medical colleges, IISERs focus primarily on research. Research requires students to have conceptual clarity, problem-solving skills, and a strong foundational knowledge, among other skills. Therefore, only students with these capabilities can become successful researchers. As a result, the IAT is designed to test students on these grounds. Without a doubt, the IAT has a unique exam pattern when compared to other national-level tests.
What Is The Exam Pattern?
- IAT consists of a total of 60 questions. There are four different sections containing 15 questions each:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Mathematics
- All the questions are Multiple Choice Questions with only single correct answers.
- Total time for answering the test is 3 hours or 180 minutes
- The Marking Scheme is as follows:
- For each correct answer, you will be awarded +4 marks
- For each incorrect answer, one mark will be deducted
- No marks for unanswered questions
The total marks obtained by candidates out of 240 are used to prepare the rank list. Click here to know in detail about the IAT cut-off.
Why Are Previous Year Question Papers Important?
Reviewing past IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) papers is crucial for several reasons:
- It can help you Familiarize students with the exam format, question types, mark distribution, and difficulty levels.
- Helps identify strengths and weaknesses, allowing for targeted study strategies to improve on weaker areas and boost overall scores.
- It helps students practice time management which is very crucial for exams like the IAT
Where To Find IAT PYQs:
You can download Previous Year’s Papers of IAT from the official website of IAT (iiseradmission.in). But there’s one problem. The website does not provide solutions to any of the questions.
But SciAstra comes to your rescue. We have solved each and every question and have uploaded detailed solved PYQs in our app. This is a very valuable resource for IAT candidates, and we provide it for free. Hence, download our app now.
Conclusion:
The IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) is a crucial way for students interested in basic and foundational sciences to get started. The IISERs offer a unique educational approach that combines theoretical learning with practical research, providing a strong basis for those aspiring to become scientists. Since the IAT has a unique exam pattern, it is necessary for students to understand its exam pattern. Solving PYQ is the best way to understand the exam pattern of IAT. SciAstra provides free solved PYQs for IAT candidates. So, download our app now.
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 is the eligibility criteria?
The IAT exam is usually held in June. 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. One gap year is generally 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 the Math and Biology sections mandatory?
It is not mandatory to answer questions from both sections, but marks from both sections will be included to calculate the total marks. Although you are free to skip one section entirely. 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!
