The International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) is an aptitude test required for admission to certain Italian universities. These universities offer undergraduate programs taught in English and are open to applicants from outside Italy. The IMAT is administered by the Italian Ministero dell’Istruzione e del Merito (Ministry of Education and Merit) in collaboration with CINECA, which also conducts admission tests for UK universities.
IMAT exam structure
The IMAT exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) distributed across four key sections: logical reasoning, general knowledge, biology, and chemistry. Each question has five possible answers.
The exam is administered in English.
Candidates are required to demonstrate skills in comprehending and analyzing various types of written texts, logical-mathematical reasoning, and general knowledge, particularly in historical, geographical, social, institutional, and disciplinary contexts such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biology. The examination assesses candidates’ abilities in reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and problem-solving, as well as their knowledge of biology and chemistry topics, including molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, anatomy, physiology, and basic principles of inorganic and organic chemistry.
Most precisely, there are 10 logical reasoning questions, 15 chemistry questions, 15 biology questions, 10 physics and mathematics questions, and 10 general knowledge questions.
IMAT scoring
The scoring of the IMAT follows this structure:
Each right answer earns 1.5 points.
Each wrong answer deducts 0.4 points.
If a question is left unanswered, no points are gained or lost.
The highest achievable score on the test is 90 points. Typically, a score exceeding 45 is considered satisfactory since it exceeds the threshold required by the majority of universities.
IMAT exam registration
The International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) has its registration period typically announced by the Ministry of University and Research (MUIR) in April. This announcement sets the stage for the official opening of the registration process in early July, which then continues for approximately three weeks.
The exam itself will most likely be held in mid-September or October.
One of the first steps for the exam registration is the creation of an account on the Universitaly website, the official platform for managing IMAT registrations. Following that, applicants are required to select their preferred test centre from the list provided. This is a crucial decision as it determines the location where the applicant will take the test. The final step in the registration process involves paying the registration fee (previously 130 euro, however this might change), which is facilitated through an online payment system for efficiency and convenience.
Successful registration is acknowledged by the system through the issuance of two confirmation emails. These emails contain essential information regarding the applicant’s registration details and the next steps in the application process.
If you are a Non-EU student
For Non-EU students, the registration process involves additional steps.
Pre-enrollment on the Universitaly website is required for non-European students intending to take the IMAT and study medicine in Italy, serving as confirmation of their commitment to pursue their medical studies in the country. Once registered, you will be provided with a confirmation document.
This document is then presented to the local Italian embassy in your respective countries, forming a crucial part of the visa application process, together with Declaration of Value (DoV), that validates foreign high school diplomas for legal recognition in Italy. DoV can be obtained at your local Italian embassy.
Pre-enrollment period typically began in April and lasted for 3 to 5 months.
IMAT exam locations
You can find the exam venues and their respective local starting times for the IMAT exam directly on the official website of the Italian government through this link. Please be aware that locations are subject to change on an annual basis.
Italian language requirement
While the IMAT exam itself is conducted in English and in Italy there are universities offering English-taught degree programs, many institutions mandate a certain level of Italian language proficiency as part of their admissions criteria, emphasizing the importance of linguistic competence for successful integration into the Italian academic environment.
International students should therefore prioritize acquiring proficiency in Italian alongside their preparations for the IMAT exam.
Italian universities that require to take IMAT exam
Below Italian universities provide English-taught degree programs accessible to international applicants. These universities allocate slots for both local and international students and necessitate the International Medical Admission Test (IMAT).
- University of Bari
- University of Bologna
- University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’
- University of Messina
- University of Milan
- University of Milan-Bicocca
- University of Naples Federico II
- University of Pavia
- University of Rome ‘Sapienza’
- University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’
- University of Siena
- University of Turin
- University of Padova
- University of Parma
- University of Ancora
Why studying medicine in Italy?
Studying medicine in Italy offers high-quality education with international recognition, ample clinical experience, cultural immersion, and language skill development.
It’s affordable, provides networking opportunities, and offers a global health perspective.
Moreover, obtaining a medical license in Italy grants access to practice medicine across the European Union, providing a gateway to diverse career opportunities and professional growth within the EU healthcare system.
In conclusion, the IMAT exam provides international students with an opportunity to study medicine in Italy. By understanding the exam structure, aspiring medical students can confidently navigate the admissions process.
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