The International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) is the entrance exam required for admission to English-taught medical schools in Italy. The test is used by Italian public universities to select students for programmes such as Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine. Unlike many other countries, candidates are not ranked based on their high school grades, cover letters, interviews, or other subjective measures. Instead, the IMAT score is the primary factor that determines whether you will receive an offer to medical school, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
For students considering studying medicine in Italy, understanding how the IMAT works and how the admissions process is structured is essential. If you are new to the process, this overview explaining what future medical students should know about studying medicine in Italy provides a helpful introduction before exploring the full IMAT application timeline and preparation strategy.
By passing the IMAT, you gain access to several degrees offered by Italian public universities, including:
Medicine and Surgery
Medicine and Surgery + Biomedical Engineering (double degree)
The IMAT 2026 exam is the entrance test used by Italian public universities to select students for English-taught medical programmes such as Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine.
The exam evaluates both scientific knowledge, reading skills, general knowledge and logical reasoning ability. Students must demonstrate a strong understanding of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics while also solving analytical reasoning problems.
The IMAT consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 100 minutes. Each correct answer awards 1.5 points, while incorrect answers result in a 0.4 point deduction.
Because admission to medical schools in Italy is based primarily on IMAT ranking scores, performing well on the exam is critical for securing a place in a programme.
Who Can Take the IMAT?
The IMAT is open to both EU and non-EU students who wish to study medicine related degrees in English at Italian public universities.
Candidates must:
hold or be completing a secondary school qualification equivalent to an Italian high school diploma
meet the admission requirements of their chosen university
register for the IMAT through the Universitaly portal
Many students from countries such as the UK, India, Canada, the United States and Australia take the IMAT each year. There are also plenty of EU students attempting the test, with seats reserved for both EU and non-EU students separately.
IMAT 2026 Date
The IMAT is usually held in mid-September, with it occurring on the 17th of September for the past two years. While exact dates can change, you should expect the date to be close to this for the time being. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for updates on when the official IMAT 2026 date is announced!
For more detailed information about the IMAT 2026 Date read the article below.
Update: The official IMAT 2026 exam date has not yet been announced. Based on previous years, the exam is expected to take place in September 2026. This page will be updated as soon as the official IMAT 2026 exam date is announced. If you are planning to study medicine in Italy, understanding the IMAT timeline … Continue reading
The test specifications for the IMAT are usually announced 1 to 3 months before the test day; thus, we will need to confirm the test format later in 2026. For now, you should expect the following question allocations:
4 questions in Reading Skills and Knowledge Acquired During Studies
5 questions in Problem Solving and Logical Reasoning
23 questions in Biology
15 questions in Chemistry
13 questions in Math and Physics
There are 60 questions in total, with 100 minutes to complete the test. The test is pen and paper-based, with all questions being multiple choice with 5 options to choose from.
The total score is out of 90. Marks are awarded as follows…
1.5 marks for a correct answer
-0.4 marks for an incorrect answer
0 marks for no answer
How Competitive Is the IMAT?
Admission to English-taught medical programmes in Italy is highly competitive.
Each university offers a limited number of places for international students, and candidates are ranked based on their IMAT score. The required score can change each year based on how difficult the specific exam was, as well as many other factors.
Typical score ranges:
EU students: around 50–65 points depending on the university and test
Non-EU students: often 50–75 points depending on the university and test
Because thousands of candidates sit the IMAT every year, preparation and exam strategy play a critical role.
IMAT Test Instructions
Every year, we hear of students who did not get their tests correctly validated due to misunderstanding the rules. Do not let this be you! It is very important to understand the rules of the test and how to fill out the various papers you will be given.
The IMAT 2024 will be held on the 17th of September 2024. Before then, it is a good idea to know what to expect on the day and what you need to do beforehand. What to Bring to the IMAT You should bring the following to the test centre. Be aware that not all the … Continue reading
Test Taking Procedure
While everyone knows that it is essential to study for the IMAT, a lot of students forget that answering the paper in the prescribed way is paramount to getting their paper validated.
Make sure to familiarise yourself with the instructions of the test well in advance. It can be very stressful if you are trying to figure out the rules on the test day
The candidate data sheet is used to assign your answer sheet and paper to your profile, ensuring that what you fill out will be associated with you. When instructed, you should complete the data sheet, but you must not sign it yet. If you sign it, notify the invigilator and request a replacement. Take a look at a sample IMAT 2025 Candidate Data Sheet below.
When the test starts, you can start reading the exam paper and start filling in the multiple-choice answers on the answer sheet. Take a look at a sample 2025 IMAT Answer Sheet
You MUST answer the questions on the dedicated answer sheet and only in the way prescribed below! Simply marking questions your own way will not do, and MUR will not accept any excuses for why you did not fill out the sheet correctly
Helpful tips
When you have solved a question, fill in the answer sheet question directly. We often hear of students who like to wait until the end of the test to mark the correct answers, but many students report running out of time and thus leaving answers blank on the answer sheet. The answers you leave blank will thus be awarded zero points.
Be aware that filling in the sheets is often part of the associated test time (100 minutes). Do not let this stress you out on the day!
If you are Italian, you must enter your codice fiscale in the required field of the candidate data sheet. You will thus need to have it memorised in advance.
IMAT 2026 Syllabus
A strange thing about the IMAT is that the official syllabus is only announced a few months prior to the exam. However, the syllabus generally remains unchanged. You can thus assume that the syllabus will be the same as the previous year. We will post updates if anything should be added or removed.
IMAT 2026 Syllabus The IMAT 2026 syllabus outlines the scientific knowledge and reasoning skills typically required for the International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT), the entrance exam used by Italian public universities for admission to English-taught medical programmes. At the time of writing, the official IMAT 2026 syllabus has not yet been released by the Italian … Continue reading
IMAT 2026 Language Requirements
The IMAT is conducted in English, and you should thus be able to speak English to take the test successfully. It is not possible to take the test in any other language.
A language certificate is not required to sit the test. However, you may need one ready to enrol at your university later. Some consulates require it for the visa as well (for non-EU candidates). Check out our article Studying Medicine in Italy: Language Requirements.
Studying Medicine is the dream of many ambitious students around the world, and with medicine being one of the most competitive fields to enter, many students consider going international. When it comes to studying medicine abroad, it is hard to find a better option than Italy.
EU vs Non-Candidates
An important concept to understand is the difference between EU and non-EU candidates for the IMAT. Your place in either category determines a lot about your application process, grading requirements, university choices and more. To read more about how this impacts you and what your status is, read our article Studying Medicine in Italy as an International Student: EU vs Non-EU Students.
Studying medicine in Italy for international students is possible no matter what country you come from. However, the country you come from can make it easier or more difficult to obtain a seat and can also greatly impact the things you need to do to secure enrolment.
IMAT 2026 Registration
Registration for the IMAT is completed through the Universitaly portal, which manages applications for Italian public universities.
The typical process involves:
Creating an account on the Universitaly website
Selecting your preferred university
Registering for the IMAT exam
Choosing your test centre
Registration usually opens during July or August, although exact dates can vary each year depending on announcements from the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR).
Students should monitor official announcements closely because test centres in certain countries often fill up very quickly.
Taking the IMAT is, of course, a fundamental part of your admission journey to medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine in a public university in Italy. However, this is only one step, and many students miss out on places due to incorrectly completing the required admission steps. Don’t let that be you! Academic Requirements It is … Continue reading
IMAT 2026 Test Centres
The IMAT can be taken in a variety of countries. While the list of countries does not change year to year (usually), the cities and test centres can be subject to change. We will update you on our newsletter when it is announced.
The IMAT 2025 announcement has finally been released! Take a look below for all important details. IMAT Test Registration Dates 2025 IMAT registration will start on 26 August 2025 to 09 September 2025 until 15:00. Registrations take place on Universitaly (https://www.universitaly.it/) On the 17th of September the IMAT 2025 will take place. The anonymous results … Continue reading
Important notes for students booking a test venue!
Certain countries’ test centres fill up almost immediately! If you plan to take the test in one of these countries, it is critical that you book the test as soon as registrations open! The most common ones to fill up quickly are
India
Turkey
Hong Kong
UAE
If you can’t take the test in your home country, you might need a short-term visa for the country where you wish to take the test. Make sure to plan this well in advance, as the IMAT registrations have lately opened very close to the actual test day
If you take the test in Italy, you must take the test in the same city as your first-choice university!
The website where you register for the test often crashes shortly after registrations open. If you plan to take the test in a country where seats are limited, it is imperative that you do so as quickly as possible.
IMAT Analysis
Pre 2023 IMAT Papers
Prior to 2023, the IMAT was run by Cambridge. These papers were, in general, quite predictable regarding entry scores, with a 50+ being considered a safe score for EUs and non-EUs. The papers generally asked 1-2 questions on a single topic for each section.
2023 IMAT Paper
This was the first time the IMAT was run solely by MUR. However, not much changed compared to the Cambridge style. For a deep dive on what the paper asked about, take a look at our IMAT 2023 analysis:
The IMAT 2023 was the first year that Cambridge was not responsible for writing the exam. Thankfully not much changed, but some things caused confusion on the test day that are good to know about for the IMAT 2024.
2024 IMAT Paper
The 2024 paper was a huge deviation from the standard IMAT format.
Critical Thinking is no longer featured in the Logical Reasoning section.
Biology had a far simpler layout, and the question difficulty was far lower
Chemistry, Physics and Math also had a simpler layout, even if the questions were not as easy as the biology section
Overall, this resulted in the most dramatic hike in cutoffs in the history of the IMAT
The IMAT 2024 is finally done. Most of you who just took the test are probably experiencing a mix of emotions at this point. While we still need to wait until the scores come out, you can take a look at the IMAT 2024 paper. All the correct answers are placed as option A. IMAT … Continue reading
2025 IMAT Paper
The 2025 paper was fairly similar in its layout to the 2024 paper. However, the question difficulty was definitely more in line with the pre-2024 papers, which resulted in a more standard and fair examination of student competencies.
One thing that was quite shocking was the fact that certain topics in Biology were asked about multiple times. Cellular respiration, for instance, had 7 questions! This shows the importance of mastering high-yield topics.
For a deeper understanding of the IMAT 2025 past papers, check out our detailed article:
The IMAT 2025 was held on September 17, 2025. IMAT 2025 Paper IMAT 2025 Paper with Answers Download All correct options have been placed in option A) and highlighted in green. Updated: IMAT 2025 Results, Cut Offs and Rankings How Many Students Took the IMAT 2025 A larger number of students than usual registered for … Continue reading
What to Expect for the 2026 IMAT
With the IMAT changing seemingly every year, students are understandably confused and do not know what to expect. The following are good to take into account:
IMAT questions tend to be simpler in their wording than the Cambridge style. While this does not necessarily mean easier questions, it does often result in quicker question solving.
The new MUR style of questions is the most likely for 2026, but remember that MUR has written Cambridge-style questions in 2023 as well. Be prepared for both styles.
The fact that questions can be solved faster on average means that students are more likely to finish the exam than during the Cambridge era. You thus should not aim to skip entire sections
Difficulty can vary each year. You thus should not assume a repeat of the previous year’s test. You need to be prepared to handle easy, medium and difficult tests
More people take the IMAT year after year. It is thus wise to assume more fierce competition as opposed to aiming for ¨safe scores’¨ from previous years
Frequently Asked Questions About IMAT 2026
When is the IMAT 2026 exam date?
The IMAT exam is typically held in mid-September each year. The exact date is announced by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR). In recent years the exam has taken place around the middle of September.
How many questions are in the IMAT 2026 exam?
The IMAT consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 100 minutes. Each question has five answer options with only one correct answer.
What subjects are included in the IMAT 2026 syllabus?
The IMAT tests knowledge in several subject areas including:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics
Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving
Reading Skills and Knowledge Acquired During Studies
What score do you need to pass the IMAT?
There is no fixed passing score for the IMAT. Students are ranked based on their results, and admission depends on how many seats are available at each university.
Can international students take the IMAT exam?
Yes. Students from many countries take the IMAT each year in order to study medicine in Italy. Test centres are available in multiple countries around the world.
How long should you prepare for the IMAT 2026?
Most students prepare for the IMAT for 3 to 6 months, depending on their background in science subjects and familiarity with the syllabus.
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