IISER Entrance Exam 2026 Books: Check Best Books for Exam Preparation

Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research Entrance Exam 2026 ( IISER Entrance Exam )

Sreetama Datta Roy
Updated on Dec 23, 2025 17:30 IST

By Sreetama Datta Roy, Manager Content

IISER Aptitude Test books play a significant role in exam preparation. The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research conducts its entrance exam in order to offer student admission in BS-MS dual degree courses.

Candidates can assure admission at seven IISER campuses across India, based on their score in the IISER entrance exam (also known as the IISER Aptitude Test). The IISER preparation strategy should be based on the IISER Syllabus, exam pattern and previous year question papers. 

Based on last year's trends, it is expected that the IISER Entrance Exam 2026 will be conducted in the fourth week of May 2026. Hence, students must have started preparing or will start soon.  Aspirants who are planning to appear for the exam must get hold of the best books to prepare for the IISER 2026 entrance exam or IISER Aptitude Test 2026. Here we bring the list of top IISER Aptitude Test books.

 

 

Table of contents
  • IISER Admission Test 2026 Exam Pattern
  • Best IISER Aptitude Test Books for Physics
  • Best IISER Aptitude Test Books for Chemistry
  • Best IISER Aptitude Test Books for Mathematics
  • Best IISER Aptitude Test Books for Biology
  • Factors to Select Right IISER Aptitude Test Preparation Books
  • FAQs Regarding IISER Aptitude Test Books
View More
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IISER Admission Test 2026 Exam Pattern

Before listing down the IISER Aptitude Test books, let us bring to you the exam pattern and structure for the exam.

Subject

No. of Questions

Marks

Physics

15

60

Chemistry

15

60

Biology

15

60

Mathematics

15

60

Total

60

240

Each question carries four marks, one mark is removed for each wrong answer. No marks will be given or removed for unattempted questions.

The syllabus of the IISER Aptitude Test is based on the Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT curriculum. Hence, the IISER Aptitude Test books for preparation should be of a higher secondary level. Moreover, NCERT books would also suffice as IISER entrance exam preparation books.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the level of the IISER Entrance Exam syllabus?
A: 

The IISER Entrance Exam syllabus is in tune with the Class 11 and 12 Board exam syllabus. The questions in the examination are asked from four domains of the Science subject, which are Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

As per the syllabus mentioned in the information brochure of IISER, it is observed that in the Biology subject maximum syllabus is covered from the Class 12 book. For the subjects of Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry, the syllabus is equally distributed in Class 11 and 12.

Q:   Will there be any changes made in the IISER Entrance Exam 2026 pattern?
A: 

IISER Exam pattern for the academic session 2026-27 is yet to be announced. However, last year pattern remains to be same as of the previous year of IISER Entrance Exam which was also conducted in online mode i.e., computer-based. The only change which is made by the exam conducting body is the marks awarded for each correct anwer.

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Best IISER Aptitude Test Books for Physics

The following table brings the list of top books for the IISER Aptitude Test Physics section.

Physics Books

Author Name

Concepts if Physics Volume I

H.C Verma

Concepts if Physics Volume II

H.C Verma

NCERT Physics Class XI

NCERT

NCERT Physics Class XII

NCERT

Fundamentals of Physics

Halliday, Resnik, Walker

Problems in General Physics

I.E Irodov

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the factors to select the right IISER aptitude test preparation books?
A: 
Aspirants should keep in mind the following factors while selecting the right preparation books for the IISER Aptitude Test: Content of books You must refer to the reviews of the best books for IISER Aptitude Test preparation to know how easy it would be to read and understand those books. The factors in the content that should be checked include the quality of language or ease of understanding or comprehension, coverage of topics and chapters from the IISER Aptitude Test syllabus, among others. Edition Candidates should always refer to the latest edition of IISER entrance preparation books. Older editions may contain outdated content, which would not aid their preparation properly. Practice Materials While selecting the best books for the exam, you should also check whether along with chapter-wise theoretical content, the books also have sufficient practice questions along with their answer keys and solutions, or previous years solved question papers.
Q:   What are the types of questions asked in the IISER Entrance Exam?
A: 

The IISER Entrance Exam questions are objective type. These are multiple-choice questions with four options. The mode of the exam is computer-based. Test-takers have to select one option. Marks per question is four. One mark will be removed for wrong answers.

View list of Books
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Best IISER Aptitude Test Books for Chemistry

Here we bring the list of top books for the IISER Aptitude Test Chemistry section.

Name of the Chemistry Books

Author name

NCERT Chemistry Class XI

NCERT

NCERT Chemistry Class XII

NCERT

Organic Chemistry

Morrison and Boyd

Inorganic Chemistry for IIT JEE

O.P Tandon

Concise Inorganic Chemistry for JEE

J.D Lee

Numerical Chemistry

P Bahadur

Chemical Calculations

R.C Mukherjee

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the syllabus for Chemistry in IISER entrance examination?
A: 

The IISER entrance exam Chemistry syllabus is given below.

  • Structure of Atom
  • Classification of elements and periodicity in properties
  • Chemical bonding and molecular structure
  • States of matter
  • Thermodynamics
  • Equilibrium
  • Redox reactions
  • Hydrogen
  • The s-block Elements
  • The p-Block Elements
  • Organic Chemistry 
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • The solid state
  • Solutions
  • Electrochemistry
  • Chemical Kinetics
  • Surface Chemistry
  • General principles and processes of the isolation of elements
  • The d and f block elements
  • Coordination compounds
  • Haloalkanes and haloarenes
  • Alcohols, phenols and ether
  • Aldehydes
  • Ketones and carboxylic acids
  • Organic compounds containing nitrogen, biomolecules and polymers
  • Chemistry in everyday life.
Q:   What is the total marks of the IISER Entrance Exam?
A: 

The IISER entrance exam is of 240 marks. Each question carries four marks. There is a minus one mark for each wrong answer. No marks will be removed for questions not answered. There are 60 marks in each of the four sections. All questions are objective type and have four answer options. Students have to select one option only. Sections tested in the exam are PCMB.

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Best IISER Aptitude Test Books for Mathematics

The most preferred books for the IISER Aptitude Test for Mathematics along with their authors are listed below.

Books for Mathematics

Author Name

Problems Plus in IIT Mathematics

A Das Gupta

Comprehensive Mathematics JEE Advanced

Tata McGraw Hill

Plane Trigonometry Part 1

SL Loneyx

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which was the toughest section in IISER Entrance Exam 2025?
A: 

As per the IISER Entrance Exam 2025 analysis, Physics was the toughest section. The overall difficulty level was medium to high. The topics covered were Electricity and Magnetism, Mechanics, Optics and Modern Physics. The questions were from Classes 11 and 12. 

Q:   Is IISER entrance examination tougher than JEE Advanced?
A: 

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.

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Best IISER Aptitude Test Books for Biology

The best Biology books for the IISER Aptitude Test are listed in the table below.

Book for Biology Subject Preparation

Authors

Objective Biology Volume I & II

Trueman’s

Objective NCERT at Your Fingertips

MTG Editorial Board

NCERT Biology Book for Class 12

NCERT

Master The NCERT for NEET 11 & 12 Biology 

Sanjay Sharma

Handbook of Biology

Arihant

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Where to find IISER entrance exam syllabus?
A: 

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.

Q:   How many sections are asked in the IISER Entrance Exam?
A: 

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.

IISER Entrance Exam Logo

Factors to Select Right IISER Aptitude Test Preparation Books

Aspirants should keep in mind the following factors while selecting the right preparation books for the IISER Aptitude Test:

  • Content of books - You must refer to the reviews of the best books for IISER Aptitude Test preparation to know how easy it would be to read and understand those books. The factors in the content that should be checked include the quality of language or ease of understanding or comprehension, coverage of topics and chapters from the IISER Aptitude Test syllabus, among others.

  • Edition - Candidates should always refer to the latest edition of the IISER entrance preparation books. Older editions may contain outdated content, which would not aid their preparation properly.

  • Practice Materials - While selecting the best books for the exam, you should also check whether, along with chapter-wise theoretical content, the books also have sufficient practice questions along with their answer keys and solutions, or previous years’ solved question papers.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the types of questions asked in the IISER Entrance Exam?
A: 

The IISER Entrance Exam questions are objective type. These are multiple-choice questions with four options. The mode of the exam is computer-based. Test-takers have to select one option. Marks per question is four. One mark will be removed for wrong answers.

Q:   Which books are suggested for Mathematics in IISER Entrance Examination?
A: 
Best IISER Aptitude Test Books for Mathematics- The most preferred books for the IISER Aptitude Test for Mathematics along with their authors are listed below. 1. Problems Plus in IIT Mathematics by A Das Gupta 2. Comprehensive Mathematics JEE Advanced by Tata McGraw Hill 3. Plane Trigonometry Part 1 by SL Loneyx.
IISER Entrance Exam Logo

FAQs Regarding IISER Aptitude Test Books

Here are some FAQs on IAT 2026 Books

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which books are suggested for Biology in IISER Entrance Examination preparation?
A: 
Best IISER Aptitude Test Books for Biology- The best Biology books for IISER Aptitude Test are listed in the table below. 1. Objective Biology Volume I & II by Truemans 2. Objective NCERT at Your Fingertips by MTG Editorial Board 3. NCERT Biology Book for Class 12 by NCERT 4. Master The NCERT for NEET 11 & 12 Biology by Sanjay Sharma 5. Handbook of Biology by Arihant.
Q:   Which books are suggested for Chemistry in IISER Entrance Examination?
A: 
Best IISER Aptitude Test Books for Chemistry- Here we bring the list of top books for the IISER Aptitude Test Chemistry section. 1. NCERT Chemistry Class XI 2. NCERT Chemistry Class XII 3. Organic Chemistry by Morrison and Boyd 4. Inorganic Chemistry for IIT JEE by O. P Tandon 5. Concise Inorganic Chemistry for JEE by J. D Lee 6. Numerical Chemistry by P Bahadur 7. Chemical Calculations by R. C Mukherjee.
Q:   What will be the section wise marking scheme of IISER Entrance Exam 2026?
A: 

The IISER Entrance Exam Marking Scheme is given below.

SectionMarks
Physics60
Mathematics60
Chemistry60
Biology60

Each section carries 15 marks. 

Q:   What language will the IISER Entrance Exam be conducted in?
A: 

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.

Q:   In what mode will IISER 2026 aptitude test be conducted?
A: 

IISER 2026 entrance exam will be conducted in computer-based test mode. The duration of the entrance exam is three hours, from 9 AM to 12 noon.

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IISER Entrance Exam Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, the IISER Entrance Exam result can be checked only in online mode. The exam authorities will release the result or rankcard on the exam website. Students have to login with their registration credentials to download the IISER Aptitude Test result.  

V

Vipra Garg

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 weeks ago

IISER Entrance Exam centres are located in cities across India. The exam is not conducted outside India. In case there is a change this year, it will be updated here. 

L

Liyansha Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, there is no option to apply for the IISER Entrance Exam in offline mode. Students have to go to the exam website, which is iiseradmission.in to apply for the exam. The fee has to be also paid in online mode, through Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.

P

Pooja Kalra

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 weeks ago

If you are planning to appear for the IISER Entrance Exam 2026, and you will write your Board exam in the same year, you will be eligible. In case you are slated to appear for the exam in 2027, you cannot take the IISER Entrance Exam 2026. The exam is expected to be conducted in May. If you do not c

...Read more

N

Nitesh Dhyani

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, IISER Entrance Exam is conducted in a single day and slot. The total duration of the exam is three hours. There is no break in between the test. IISER Aptitude Test is conducted in computer based mode. 

M

Manashjyoti Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 weeks ago

The IISER Entrance Exam Mock Test can be taken from the exam website for free. There is no fee involved for this. Neither is it necessary to register for the IISER Aptitude Test. Students can take the mock test as many times as they wish to. 

A

Aishwarya Aggarwal

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, it is mandatory to attempt all questions of the IISER Entrance Exam Mock Test at one go. The mock test gets disabled within a few minutes of inactivity. Hence, students should solve all questions within 180 minutes of starting the test. If you are unable to complete the IAT mock test in one sit

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78440886
Sreetama Datta Roy

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, the questions of the official IISER Entrance Exam Mock Test are from the syllabus. The total duration of the mock test is 3 hours. It will provide familiarity with the IISER Aptitude Test and help in preparation. 

A

Abhay Majumdar

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 3 weeks ago

The IISER entrance exam is of 240 marks. Each question carries four marks. There is a minus one mark for each wrong answer. No marks will be removed for questions not answered. There are 60 marks in each of the four sections. All questions are objective type and have four answer options. Students ha

...Read more

M

Manashjyoti Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 3 weeks ago

There is no age limit to apply or appear for the IISER Entrance Exam 2026. However, applicants must have appeared for their Board examination in 2024, 2025 or 2026. Based on this, applicants must apply for the exam. Apart from this, students should have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathe

...Read more

A

Aishwarya Aggarwal

Beginner-Level 5

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