IISER Exam Analysis 2025: Check IAT Paper Review & Student Reaction

IISER 2026 entrance exam will be conducted online or in computer-based test mode. Candidates will be assigned a centre equipped with the facilities to conduct the test in CBT mode. The IISER Entrance Exam will be conducted in various exam centres across India. The duration of the entrance exam is three hours, from 9 AM to 12 noon. The format of the questions will be Multiple Choice Questions or MCQs.

Candidates will be able to download the answer key PDF of the IISER entrance exam from the exam website. Authorities releases the provisional answer keys and response sheets first, based on which candidates can check the correct answers and calculate probable scores secured in IISER Aptitude test. To download the IISER answer key, candidates can follow the process given below.

• Go to IISER website - https://iiseradmission.in/   

• Click on ‘IISER answer key” link.

• Enter application number and password.

• Answer key of IISER was displayed on screen.

• Take a print out of answer key and save it for future reference

The question paper will be in English and Hindi languages. The candidates must read all the given instructions provided in the question papers at the time of examination.

The IISER Entrance Exam Marking Scheme is as follows:

1. Physics 15 questions will be asked in the examination and 60 marks will be the maximum awarded for all the correct answers.
2.  Mathematics- 15 questions will be asked in the examination and 60 marks will be the maximum awarded for all the correct answers.
3. Chemistry 15 questions will be asked in the examination and 60 marks will be the maximum awarded for all the correct answers.
4. Biology 15 questions will be asked in the examination and 60 marks will be the maximum awarded for all the correct answers. Marking scheme: Candidates will be awarded three marks for each correct answer. There will be negative marking of one mark for each incorrect answer.

IISER entrance examination is considered to be one of the finest and the toughest exams under Science stream undergraduate entrance examination as it provides the BSMS dual degree in the most reputed and research-oriented institutions across the country which is IISERs. On a comparison note, candidates will find the examination tougher than JEE Main exam, but below JEE Advanced. Unlike JEE or NEET the IISER aptitude test asks questions from both mathematics and Biology. Subjects which are found tougher in IISER entrance examination- Organic Chemistry can easily create hassle while giving the entrance examination as there are a lot of naming reactions, its electrophilic and nucleophilic attacks which are commonly asked in the examination. For the bio-background people, the Math section is not usually unscalable. With a decent understanding of regular 11th and 12th-grade concepts, you should be able to crack a few questions without much trouble. Of course, the caveat being that you rock it in the bio section and make up for it. So ensure that you don't falter at this juncture.

According to the IISER Entrance Exam 2025 analysis, Physics was the toughest section of the exam. The overall difficulty level ranged from moderate to tough. The topics covered in the question papers were Electricity and Magnetism, Mechanics, Optics and Modern Physics. The questions were distributed from the syllabus and included both Class 11 and 12 chapters. 

The IISER Entrance Exam 2026 pattern is expected to remains same as last year. IAT consists of 60 questions, 15 questions each from Biology, Chemistry Mathematics, and Physics. There will be four answer options. Total time for answering the test is 180 minutes. Questions are multiple choice type with only one correct answer. The mode of the exam is computer-based.

The IISER Entrance Exam questions are objective type and carry four answer options. The mode of the exam is computer-based. The marks for each question is four, and for each wrong answer, one mark is deducted. The total number of questions is 60. The total marks is 240. 

IISER Aptitude Test difficulty level is comparatively easier than JEE Main exam difficulty level. There are four sections in the exam, and all have equal weightage. Mentioned below are the details for the same:

• Biology: This section might sound a tough nut to crack for the PCM students, but a reasonable understanding of class 11 and 12 NCERT concepts can help you sail through this section. If you are not familiar with Biology try to ace the Maths section. As the number of test-takers has grown over the years, this section has also seen a surged difficulty level.
• Maths: For the Biology students, it might be hard to crack. You need to focus on 11th and 12th class concepts. You can search for the doable questions and solve them. The level is usually at par or even above JEE Mains. The Biology students can cover the scores in their specialised section.
• Physics and Chemistry: This section is usually easier than the above two sections. The scores obtained here can make-or-break your chances for counselling. The questions in these two sections cover the fundamental and essential concepts. It is better to score well in these two sections. The sections are not really tough. They are far away from the difficulty level of JEE Advance.

Overall, the exam is far from easier than JEE Advanced exam. The Biology students have the advantage to finish their section quicker. Make sure your fundamentals are clear and your reasoning ability is good. This should be enough to secure a good score.

IISERs offer admission into courses leading to BSMS Dual Degree, and BS Degree (only at IISER Bhopal) Programs. Admissions are via IAT Channel, KVPY Channel and JEE Advanced Channel. Below are the programmes offered by IISERs: 1. Biological Sciences 2. Chemical Sciences 3. Earth & Climate Sciences/Earth & Environmental Sciences 4. Economic Sciences 5. Engineering Sciences (Chemical Engineering, Data Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science) 6. Geological Sciences 7. Integrated & Interdisciplinary Sciences (Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences) 8. Mathematical Sciences 9. Physical Sciences.

IISER entrance examination provides admission to candidates in the five-year-long BSMS dual degree programme offered by them. On the basis of a candidates score in the IISER Entrance Exam (also known as IISER aptitude test), he/she can secure admission at IISER located in Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, or Tirupati. Since it is an undergraduate degree, the syllabus for the examination is confined to class 11 and 12 subjects which are Physics Chemistry Biology and mathematics. Candidates can find the complete syllabus in the information brochure of the IISER on the official website. For detailed syllabus, candidates can view the below Shiksha link- https://www.shiksha.com/science/iiser-entrance-exam-syllabus.