What is the Ideal Score in Mock Tests to Feel Confident About Cracking IISER?

One of the most common questions among IISER aspirants is how much they should be scoring in mock tests to feel “safe” for admission. The IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) has 60 questions, each carrying 4 marks, with a negative marking of 1 for wrong answers. This makes the maximum score 240. But the real challenge lies in balancing Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics since all four subjects are tested.

From the experience of past students, scoring around 120–150 marks in mock tests is generally considered a strong performance. This translates to getting half or slightly more than half of the paper correct, which is usually enough to land a good IISER seat if competition trends remain steady. However, the actual cut-off varies each year depending on the difficulty of the paper and the number of applicants. For example, in recent years, cut-offs for top IISERs like Pune or Kolkata have gone higher, while newer campuses such as Berhampur or Tirupati may be accessible with slightly lower scores.

Mock tests are not just about the score; they are about consistency and learning. If a student is able to regularly score above 100 in well-designed mocks, they are on the right path. The goal should not be to chase a magical number but to steadily improve weak areas and learn time management. Many students who began with 80–90 in mocks eventually scored 140+ in the final exam because they analyzed mistakes and adapted their preparation.

So, instead of worrying about one “ideal” score, focus on progress. If your mock test scores are improving with each attempt, and you’re comfortably crossing 130 in the last few weeks before the exam, you can be reasonably confident about cracking IISER.

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