IMAT Exam Guide for English-Taught Medicine in Italy

What the IMAT is

The IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) is the entrance test used for English-taught single-cycle Medicine and Surgery, and related health programmes such as Dentistry, at Italian public universities. It is organised by Italy's Ministry of University and Research (MUR). The IMAT was historically delivered in collaboration with Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing, but Cambridge is no longer involved — the test is now administered by the Italian ministry as a standardised national exam delivered on a single date.

The IMAT is a competitive ranking test: you do not pass or fail in the ordinary sense. Your score places you in a national merit ranking, and admission depends on where you rank relative to the available places at the universities you select.

• Used for English-taught Medicine and Surgery and related degrees at Italian public universities
• Organised by MUR; delivered on one national test date (Cambridge no longer involved)
• A ranking test — your score positions you against available places

Test structure

The IMAT is a multiple-choice paper covering reasoning and general knowledge plus scientific subjects (biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics), with one correct answer per question. The number of questions, the marking scheme, and the time limit are set by the ministry for each edition.

Scoring typically rewards correct answers, may apply a penalty for wrong answers, and gives zero for unanswered questions — which makes informed guessing a strategic decision. Because the exact number of questions per section, the marking values, and the time limit can be adjusted between editions, confirm the current specification on the official source rather than relying on figures from older years.

• Multiple-choice, single national sitting
• Subjects: logical reasoning and general knowledge, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics
• Marking scheme (including any penalty for wrong answers) is set per edition — verify current values

Registration and how the day works

Registration for the IMAT is handled through the Universitaly portal. You create an account, register for the test, pay the fee, and indicate your university preferences within the published window. The registration window is short and strict — missing the cut-off means exclusion from that year's test.

On test day you sit the exam under controlled conditions. After scoring, results and the national ranking are published on Universitaly. You then confirm your interest and follow the assignment and scrolling process by which seats are allocated down the ranking.

• Register, pay, and set university preferences on Universitaly
• Watch the strict registration deadline — no late entries
• Results and the national ranking are published on Universitaly

How merit ranking and seat allocation work

After the test, candidates are placed in a national merit ranking. Seats are offered down the ranking according to your score and your stated university preferences, with successive rounds (often called scrolling) as higher-ranked candidates accept or decline places. Where scores tie, published tie-breaking rules apply.

Because Italy has reformed aspects of medical admissions in recent years, the precise mechanics — including how preferences, rounds, and any reserved quotas operate — can change between cycles. Treat the official Universitaly notice and the ministerial decree for the relevant year as the only authoritative description.

This is general information, not admissions or immigration advice. Verify the current IMAT structure, registration dates, fees, and ranking rules on Universitaly before relying on any figure.

How the IMAT fits the wider application

Sitting the IMAT does not replace the rest of the international process. Non-EU students still complete Universitaly pre-enrolment and the embassy visa steps, and still need their prior qualification recognised. Plan the IMAT alongside, not instead of, those tasks.

Keep an eye on whether your target universities reserve places for EU and non-EU candidates separately, as this affects how your ranking translates into an offer. Confirm each university's specific arrangements on its official admissions pages.