IMAT, or the International Medical Admissions Test, is a standardized exam intended for students who aspire to study medicine or surgery in English at public universities in Italy. Conducted by the Italian Ministry of Education in collaboration with Cambridge Assessment, the IMAT serves as a gateway for international and EU students interested in top medical schools in Italy. Its popularity has risen due to affordable tuition and internationally respected degrees.

The IMAT consists of a total of 60 MCQs, divided into four sections: General Knowledge & Logical Thinking (20), Biology (15), Chemistry (15), and Physics & Math (10). You have 100 minutes to complete the exam. Each right answer earns 1.5 points, wrong choices remove 0.4 points, and blanks score 0. This scoring system encourages careful thinking. Different from exams like the UCAT or BMAT, the IMAT prioritizes reasoning skills. Study medicine in Italy To be eligible to take the IMAT, students must have a high school diploma that allows university admission 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. You’ll need to pay a registration fee (around €130–€170), submit the required documents, and finalize their registration before the deadline.

Preparing 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. Helpful resources include BMAT practice for logic, video lessons, and student forums. Creating a timetable and doing realistic practice tests is key to achieving high scores.

The logic and general knowledge section is often seen as the most unique part of the IMAT. It tests your ability to analyze information, recognize flawed reasoning, and think logically. Unlike science sections, this section isn’t based on a syllabus—it requires mental agility. Mastering this area means doing logic puzzles, reading arguments, and focusing on verbal reasoning exercises.

The scientific portion of IMAT cover key high school concepts. Biology often includes cell biology, Chemistry covers molecular structure, while Physics and Math focus on algebra. These questions test more than memory—they require application of knowledge. Students are advised to understand core principles and focus on calculations and interpretation.