IISER 2026 preparation: Candidates can check IISER entrance exam preparation tips on this page. Preparation is a major part of an entrance test. It helps to score good marks in the entrance exam. Candidates need to follow the exam syllabus and pattern to plan their preparation tips. During the exam preparation, candidates will require resources like books, study materials, previous year question papers, etc.
IISER entrance exam is held for 240 marks. Candidates must target 190+ marks to secure a good rank. Every year, IISER increases the exam difficulty level. The majority of questions are conceptually based. Therefore, candidates must focus on improving their conceptual knowledge.
- IISER Exam Preparation: Highlights
- Section Wise IISER 2026 Preparation
- Best Book for IISER Preparation 2026
- IISER 2026 Mock Test & PYQs
- FAQs Regarding IISER Entrance Exam Preparation
IISER Exam Preparation: Highlights
IISER is the most competitive exam for Science students. The questions in the IISER exam are conceptually based. Students need to focus more on concepts and formulas to perform well in the exam. Before you start the IISER 2026 preparation, focus on these points.
- Understand the IAT syllabus and paper pattern.
- Get the prescribed Exam syllabus for the applied course.
- Get all the study material you can to prepare better for the IISER Entrance Exam.
- Create a day-to-day and weekly timetable on how much material you can study daily.
Also Read: IAT 2026 Most Important Topics; Check Subject-wise Important Chapters List Here
Commonly asked questions
IISER is a compulsory entrance test to get into the IISER Pune. 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.
Section Wise IISER 2026 Preparation
IAT 2026 will evaluate candidates' knowledge and aptitude in four subjects: Biology, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Since there are four different subjects which the candidates need to study, therefore a strategy must be prepared by the candidates in order to ace the IISER 2026 Entrance Examination. Let's see how to study Physics, Chemistry, Math, Biology for the IISER aptitude test.
IISER 2026 Chemistry Preparation Tips
An aspirant needs to study Chemistry into three different domains, which are namely, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry. There will be 15 questions asked from chemistry in the IISER 2026 examination. For every correct answer, the candidate will be awarded +4 marks. Negative Marking is -1.
The best way to study Organic Chemistry for the IISER Aptitude Test is through understanding the concept very thoroughly, which is given in the NCERT Books and then revising it again and again. Write a summary of important points. Start with the basics and then move ahead with complex concepts. Practice problems each time you study a topic. Make a separate notebook for named reactions & their mechanism and revise it daily.
For Physical Chemistry, study from the NCERT and have your concepts clarified at your coaching institute. To become good at Physical Chemistry, you need to develop problem-solving skills. Be thorough with all the formulae. Solve good quality problems in Physical Chemistry.
Inorganic Chemistry involves a lot of mugging up the concepts. Study the NCERT Books of classes 11 and 12 properly.
IISER 2026 Physics Preparation Tips
Aspirants need to be thorough with the IISER 2026 Syllabus. Here, candidates need to be well acquainted with the topics that they need to ace to score well in the science entrance exam. The topics that form a part of the Physics syllabus include:
- Mathematical Methods
- Mechanics and General Properties of Matter
- Oscillations, Waves and Optics
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Kinetic theory, Thermodynamics
- Modern Physics
- Solid State Physics
- Devices and Electronics
IISER 2026 Mathematics Preparation Tips
This section has 15 questions. IISER Mathematics questions are based on topics like trigonometry, algebra, probability, calculus, vector & 3D geometry, etc. To practice these topics, focus on formulas and shortcuts to solve the problems. It is important to practice more problems to achieve better results. Here we have mentioned the list of topics most asked in the IISER exam.
| Chapter | Approx. No. of Questions |
| Sets, Relations & Functions | 1 |
| Trigonometry | 1 |
| Algebra (Complex, Quadratics) | 2 |
| Calculus (Limits, Derivatives) | 2–3 |
| Integrals & Applications | 1–2 |
| Vectors & 3D Geometry | 2 |
| Probability | 1–2 |
| Matrices & Determinants | 1 |
IISER 2026 Biology Preparation Tips
In IISER, all sections have the same weightage. This is the most important section for the Biology sections. Good conceptual knowledge can help to score high marks. Focusing on topics like human physiology, plant physiology, genetic & evolution, cell structure & function will help to score high in Biology sections. The NCERT textbook will be the best for Biology preparation.
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
Best Book for IISER Preparation 2026
Books play an important role in exam preparation. They help to improve conceptual knowledge. Focusing on the right book is very important. Candidates can follow the books suggested by IISER toppers. Moreover, IISER books must cover the exam syllabus. NCERT is best for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology preparation. Here are few list of IISER books.
| Subject | Books Name |
| Physics |
|
| Chemistry |
|
| Mathematics |
|
| Biology |
|
Also Read: IISER entrance exam 2026 books
Commonly asked questions
The IISER Entrance Exam Marking Scheme is given below.
| Section | Marks |
|---|---|
| Physics | 60 |
| Mathematics | 60 |
| Chemistry | 60 |
| Biology | 60 |
Each section carries 15 marks.
The question paper was in English and Hindi. The candidates must read all the given instructions provided in the question paper at the time of the examination.
IISER 2026 Mock Test & PYQs
Candidates must practice the IISER mock test regularly. This helps them to get familiar with the online exam platform and exam difficulty level. The duration of each mock test is three hours. Daily practice will help students to improve their time management skills. Similarly, solving IISER PYQs will help to identify high-weightage topics and self-assessment. The key benefits of practising the IISER mock test and previous year questions are mentioned below.
- IISER's previous year question paper helps you know what types of questions are asked and the most repeated topics. Students also get to know the paper's difficulty level.
- IISER mock tests are based on the exam syllabus and paper pattern. So, it is important to keep track of performance.
- Various types of questions are available in mock & previous year question papers, which make students ready to solve any tricky question easily.
- Keep track of mock tests and PYQs performance. This will help students to focus on the weaker section.
Commonly asked questions
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.
FAQs Regarding IISER Entrance Exam Preparation
Take a look at the frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding IISER Entrance Exam 2026 Preparation.
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.
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.
IISER preparation tips are mentioned below.
- First of all, know the IISER syllabus and pattern.
- Make a study timetable and give equal time to all papers.
- To build concepts, prepare from the NCERT textbook.
- Practice IISER PYQs regularly.
- Take mock tests.
- Keep track of your progress. Focus on the weaker sections.
IISER 2026 exam pattern is out. No changes have been made in the IISER entrance exam pattern. The exam was conducted as a computer-based test for three hours. There were 4 sections in the IISER question paper. Each section carries 15 questions.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
IISER 2027 application portal is expected to open in March 2027. The authority will activate the IISER application form link on the official website.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, you can get admission to the IISER with 6000 rank. However, admission will depend on your category. SC/ST category students have a strong chance of admisison with the mentioned rank. General category students can get admission to the newly added IISER.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, the IAT response sheet for 2026 is officially out. You can check your response sheet on the official IISER admissions portal through your login credentials.
S
Contributor-Level 8
8 Institutes accepting IISER Entrance Exam
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Division of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of...
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