The International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) is a competitive test designed for students who aspire to study medicine or surgery in English at public universities in Italy. Held every year by the Italian Ministry of Education in collaboration with Cambridge Assessment, the IMAT acts as a gateway for international and EU students looking to enroll in top medical schools in Italy. Its popularity has increased due to reasonable costs and globally accepted medical qualifications.
The IMAT consists of a total of 60 MCQs, divided into four sections: Logical Reasoning and General Knowledge (20), Biology (15), Chemistry (15), and Physics & Math (10). You have 100 minutes to complete the exam. Correct responses receive 1.5 points, wrong choices remove 0.4
IMAT, and blanks score 0. This marking structure encourages strategic answering. Unlike other medical entry exams, the IMAT prioritizes reasoning skills.
To be able to take the IMAT, students must hold a high school diploma that allows entry into higher education in their home country. Registration opens in July through the Universitaly portal, where students list their university choices in order of preference. The test is usually held in September, with exam venues around the world. Applicants must pay a registration fee (around €130–€170), upload necessary paperwork, and complete the signup process before the deadline.
Getting ready for the IMAT requires a focused approach. Most students start early in the year, using a mix of A-Level or IB textbooks, IMAT prep books, online platforms, and past papers. Popular tools include BMAT practice for logic, video lessons, and student forums. Making a study plan and doing realistic practice tests is key to success.
The logic and general knowledge section is considered the most challenging part of the IMAT. It tests your ability to break down problems, spot assumptions, and think logically. Unlike science sections, this section isn’t based on a syllabus—it requires practice. Improving this section means doing logic puzzles, reading arguments, and practicing inference-based questions.
Science questions on the IMAT cover basic to advanced school-level topics. Biology often includes cell biology, Chemistry covers periodic table, while Physics and Math focus on motion. These questions go beyond facts—they require logical application. Students are advised to understand core principles and practice problem-solving.