IMAT 2023 Date, Location, Application, Syllabus, Resources and More

Update 8th August 2023 – IMPORTANT Update About the IMAT 2023: Registration Date, Location, Syllabus and More!

The International Medical Admissions Test or IMAT is just around the corner! In this article, we will provide you with the current information known about the IMAT 2023 so far. The article will be updated as more information becomes available, so remember to check back in regularly!

IMAT 2023 Date

The IMAT 2023 will be held on the 17^th of October 2023. This is over a month later than usual, but it means you will have more time than previously anticipated to study. This will also likely mean that medical school will start a bit later than in previous years, but do not worry! The important thing right now is to pass the IMAT.

IMAT 2023 Locations

In the past, it was possible to take the IMAT in multiple countries, such as India, Pakistan, South Africa, Brazil, UAE, USA, UK and many EU nations. This year it is unlikely that this will be the case since Cambridge is no longer writing the test. Thus we strongly recommend you make plans to come to Italy if you have not already done so, since it will likely be the only IMAT 2023 test location. 

IMAT Material

Your IMAT resources are quite limited in the test. The IMAT has always been a pen and paper test, with minimal equipment allowed and no study aids. You will NOT have access to…

• Calculators
• Formula sheets
• Periodic table
• Notes of any kind

This means the IMAT is likely going to be a bit different to what you experienced with your high school exams. But have no fear, the IMAT is designed to be taken without these items. 

IMAT 2023 Apply

To apply for the IMAT test 2023 you need to visit Universitaly and register when the applications are open. A link to the website is provided below…

https://www.universitaly.it/

IMAT 2023 Announcements

We will post some important official announcements for you as they become available. So far, the announcements below are important to consider…

https://www.mur.gov.it/it/news/lunedi-12062023/universita-il-17-ottobre-2023-la-prova-di-ammissione-medicina-e-chirurgia-e

IMAT 2023 Seats Available

Bari (EU): 69
Bari (Non-EU): 11

Bologna (EU): 97
Bologna (Non-EU): 20

Campania L Vanvitelli (EU): 60
Campania L Vanvitelli (Non-EU): 50

Catania (EU): 60
Catania (Non-EU): 0

Messina (EU): 55
Messina (Non-EU): 56

Milan (EU): 55
Milan (Non-EU): 25

Milano Bicocca (EU): 30
Milano Bicocca (Non-EU): 18

Napoli Federico II (EU): 15
Napoli Federico II (Non-EU): 25

Padova (EU): 80
Padova (Non-EU): 20

Parma (EU): 75
Parma (Non-EU): 45

Pavia (EU): 103
Pavia (Non-EU): 40

Marche (EU): 25
Marche (Non-EU): 55

Rome La Sapienza (EU): 45
Rome La Sapienza (Non-EU): 13

Rome Tor Vergata (EU): 40
Rome Tor Vergata (Non-EU): 15

S. Raffaele Milan (EU): 86
S. Raffaele Milan (Non-EU): 64

Turin (EU): 70
Turin (Non-EU): 32

Univ. “Campus Bio-Medico” di ROMA (EU): 68
Univ. “Campus Bio-Medico” di ROMA (EU): 72
Univ. “Campus Bio-Medico” di ROMA (Non-EU): 12
Univ. “Campus Bio-Medico” di ROMA (Non-EU): 36

Please make sure to check the official announcement on the seats released for 2023.
https://www.mur.gov.it/it/atti-e-normativa/decreto-ministeriale-n-994-del-28-07-2023

IMAT 2023 Minimum Score

The minimum score is solely dependent on how well other candidates do in the test. The IMAT is a competition, and seats are filled based on score values. The minimum values change a bit every year, but if we take into account past scores and the general trend we can make predictions. It is important to note that students are also separated into EU and Non-EU applicants. 

• EU applicants only compete with other EU applicants
• Non-EU applicants only compete with non-EU applicants
• Non-EU seats are filled in one round
• EU seats are filled in multiple rounds, with the score decreasing for each round
• First-round EU minimum scores are generally in the high 50s for more competitive universities and low 50s to high 40s for less competitive universities
• Last-round EU minimum scores are generally in the high 40s for more competitive universities and in the low 40s for less competitive universities
• First and only round non-EU minimum scores are generally in the high 40s to low 50s for non-EU applicants and mid to high 30s or 40s for less competitive universities

To be on the safe side you should aim for mid to high 50s in the IMAT.

IMAT 2023 Syllabus

The following IMAT topics are based on previous years such as the IMAT 2022, IMAT 2021 and all prior IMAT exams. It is unlikely much will change this year regarding the IMAT exam syllabus, but as there will be a new test writer, you should be aware that it may be slightly impacted for 2023.

Critical Thinking: 

7 Question types are assessable (a specific method exists for each which we teach you in our course)

1. Summarising the main conclusion
2. Drawing a conclusion
3. Identifying an assumption
4. Assessing the impact of additional evidence
5. Detecting reasoning errors
6. Matching arguments
7. Applying principles

Problem Solving: 

These questions test your ability to select relevant information from a pool of data, your ability to generate a procedure to solve a problem, identifying similarity, using general logic, and applying basic math to solve numerical problems. 

Math needed for Problem Solving…

• Simple fractions and decimals
• Percentages and percentage operations (such as calculating percentage discounts)
• Place value (i.e. knowing that ‘4’ in ‘1400’ indicates ‘400’)
• Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
• Basic everyday calculations
• Time and the calendar
• Basic financial math
• Length units and length conversions (kilometre, metre, centimetre, millimetre) 
• Weight units and weight conversions (kilogram, gram)
• Area units and area conversions (centimetre square, metre square)
• Volume/capacity units (cubic centimetre, litre, gallon)
• Identification of measurement terms (i.e. foot, inches, miles etc). Note: you do not need to be able to convert between these specific measurements, you just need to know they refer to a measurement of length. No numerical values need be remembered for these units
• Area calculation (rectangle, square, triangle)
• Perimeter calculation
• Volume calculation (of a box)
• 2D representation of 3D objects (i.e. birds eye view)
• Generalisation: For instance recognising that going from 24 to 3 and 40 to 5 both involve division by 8
• Extracting data from tables

General Knowledge: 

The syllabus includes a wide range of non-scientific topics. There is a tendency of focusing mainly on European and Italian components of the topics below (i.e. European and Italian history, literature, etc). You do not need to study these topics in detail, in fact, there are generally just 3 or four things you need to focus on for each topic, and these are at a basic level. We explain what these details are in our course.

The most common topics are (in no particular order)…

• Literature
• History
• Philosophy
• Social culture
• Linguistics (identification of languages, language families etc)
• Politics
• Current affairs
• Economics
• Art history 
• Music history (opera, theatre, composers etc)
• Nobel Prizes
• History of science 
• Political Geography (knowing about countries)
• Religion
• International organisations 
• The European Union

Biology: 

Biology is the most content-heavy section in the IMAT. It is important to note that biology questions in the IMAT are quite unique, and are quite different from most high school exams. We teach you not only the content but also the methods, tricks and procedures needed to answer IMAT questions.

The following topics are assessed…

The chemistry of living things

• The biological importance of weak interactions 
• Organic molecules and their functions. 
• The role of enzymes

The cell as the basis of life

• Cell theory
• Cell size
• Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (animal and plant cells)
• Viruses
• The structure and function of the cell membrane and membrane transport
• Cellular structures and their specific functions
• Cell cycle and cell division: mitosis and meiosis
• Chromosomes and chromosome maps

Bioenergetics

• ATP
• Redox reactions in living things
• Photosynthesis
• Glycolysis
• Aerobic respiration 
• Fermentation

Reproduction and Inheritance

• Life cycles
• Sexual and asexual reproduction
• Mendelian genetics: Mendel’s laws and their applications
• Classical genetics: chromosomal theory of inheritance 
• Inheritance patterns
• Structure and replication of DNA
• The genetic code
• Protein synthesis
• Prokaryotic DNA
• Eukaryotic chromosome structure
• Genes and regulation of gene expression.
• Human genetics: mono- and multifactorial character transmission;
• Hereditary diseases (autosomal and X linked)
• Biotechnology: recombinant DNA technology and its applications

Inheritance and environment

• Mutations
• Natural and artificial selection
• Evolutionary theories
• The genetic basis of evolution

Anatomy and physiology of animals and humans

• The animal tissues
• Anatomy and physiology of systems in humans and their interactions
• Homeostasis

Chemistry: 

Chemistry is considered challenging by most students, mainly due to the many skills required for the field. Luckily we teach you the content, methods, skills and tricks needed to master IMAT chemistry

The following topics are assessed…

The composition of matter

• States of matter
• Heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures 
• Compounds and elements
• Ideal Gas Laws

Atomic structure

• Elementary particles
• Atomic number and mass number
• Isotopes
• Electronic structure of atoms of different elements.

The periodic table of the elements

• Groups and periods
• Transition elements
• Periodic properties of elements: atomic radius, ionization potential, electron affinity, metallic character. 
• The relationships between electronic structure, position in the periodic table, and element properties.

The chemical bond

• Ionic, covalent and metallic bonds
• Binding energy
• Polarity of bonds
• Electronegativity
• Intermolecular bonds

Fundamentals of inorganic chemistry

• Nomenclature and main properties of inorganic compounds: oxides, hydroxides, acids, salts.

Chemical reactions and stoichiometry

• Atomic and molecular mass
• Avogadro’s number
• Mole concept and its application
• Elementary stoichiometric calculations
• Balancing simple reactions
• Different types of chemical reactions

Solutions

• Solvent properties of water
• Solubility
• The main ways of expressing the concentration of solutions. 
• Equilibria in aqueous solution
• Chemical kinetics and catalysis.

Oxidation and reduction

• Oxidation number
• Concept of oxidizing and reducing
• Balancing of simple reactions

Acids and bases

• The concept of acid and base
• Acidity, neutrality and basicity of aqueous solutions. 
• The pH scale
• Hydrolysis
• Buffer solutions

Fundamentals of organic chemistry

• Bonds between carbon atoms
• Structural formulas
• The concept of isomerism
• Aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons. 
• Functional groups: alcohols, ethers, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amides.
• Chemical nomenclature

Mathematics: 

Math in the IMAT is assessed at quite a basic level. There is no calculus and the level of geometry and algebra is at a level that even without studying math in high school, it can be learned relatively quickly. However, this does not mean the section is easy. There are plenty of formulas and techniques you need to memorise to get good at this section. On top of this, you need good mental math since you have no calculator, and also need to get used to the types of questions the IMAT likes to ask. Our course makes this process fast and easy.

The following topics are assessed…

Algebra and numerical sets

• Natural numbers, integers, rational and real numbers
• Sorting and comparison: scales and scientific notation
• Operations and their properties
• Proportions and percentages
• Powers with integer and rational exponents, and their properties
• Roots and their properties
• Logarithms (base 10 and base e) and their properties
• Elements of combinatorics
• Algebraic and polynomial expressions
• Major products and nth power of binomial expansions
• Factorisation of polynomials
• Algebraic fractions
• Algebraic equations and inequalities of the first and second order
• Systems of equations

Functions

• Basic concepts of functions and their graphical representations (domain, codomain, sign, maximum and minimum, increasing and decreasing, etc.)
• Elementary functions: whole and fractional algebraic functions; exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions
• Composite and inverse functions
• Trigonometric equations and inequalities

Geometry

• Polygons and their properties
• Circle and circumference
• Measurements of lengths, surfaces and volumes
• Isometries, similarities and equivalences in the plane
• Geometric loci
• Measurement of angles in degrees and radians
• Sine, cosine, tangent of an angle and their significant values
• Trigonometric formulas
• Solving triangles
• Cartesian reference system in a plane
• Distance between two points and the midpoint of a segment
• Straight line equation
• Conditions for parallel and perpendicular lines
• Distance of a point to a line
• Equation of the circle, the parabola, the hyperbola, the ellipse and their representation in the Cartesian plane
• Pythagoras’ theorem
• Euclid’s first and second theorems

Probability and statistics

• Frequency distributions and their graphical representations
• Concept of random experiments and events
• Probability and frequency

Physics: 

Physics in the IMAT is assessed at quite a basic level. However, given the small number of questions in the IMAT that this section takes up, it is a lot to learn for just a few marks. You need to learn and memorise many formulas and techniques to handle this section. If you do that, however, this section becomes quite easy.

The following topics are assessed…

Measures

• Direct and indirect measures
• Fundamental and derived quantities
• Physical dimensions of quantities
• Knowledge of the metric system and the CGS System of Units
• Technical (or practical) (ST) and International System (SI) units of measurement (names and
• relationships between fundamental and derived units)
• Multiples and sub-multiples (names and values)

Kinematics

• Kinematic quantities
• Various types of motion with particular regard to uniform and uniformly accelerating rectilinear motion
• Uniform circular motion; harmonic motion (for all motions: definition and relationships between quantities)

Dynamics

• Vectors and vector operations
• Forces
• Moments of forces about a point
• Moment of a force couple
• Vector composition of forces
• Definition of mass and weight
• Acceleration due to gravity
• Density and specific gravity
• The law of universal gravitation
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd laws of motion
• Work, kinetic energy, potential energy
• Principle of conservation of energy
• Impulse and momentum
• Principle of conservation of momentum

Fluid mechanics

• Pressure, and its unit of measure (not only in the SI system)
• Archimedes’ Principle
• Pascal’s principle
• Stevino’s law

Thermodynamics

• Thermometry and calorimetry
• Specific heat
• Heat capacity
• Mechanisms of heat propagation
• Changes of state and latent heats
• Ideal Gas Laws
• First and second laws of thermodynamics

Electrostatics and electrodynamics

• Coulomb’s law
• Electric field and potential
• Dielectric constant
• Capacitors
• Capacitors in series and in parallel
• Direct current
• Ohm’s Law
• Kirchhoff’s Principles.
• Electrical resistance and resistivity, electrical resistances in series and in parallel.
• Work, Power, Joule effect
• Generators
• Electromagnetic induction and alternating currents
• Effects of electrical currents (thermal, chemical and magnetic)

IMAT Preparation Guide

The following PDF is great for IMAT prep. Again, please note this is from past formats so there may be alterations this year.

https://www.admissionstesting.org/images/410822-imat-preparation-guide.pdf

IMAT 2023 Format

In previous years the IMAT consisted of… 

• 60 multiple-choice questions which five potential answers to choose from (A, B, C, D or E). 
• A correct answer resulted in +1.5 points.
• An incorrect answer resulted in -0.4 points.
• Unanswered questions resulted in 0 points.
• 100 minutes were allocated for the entire test
• Questions varied in difficulty, with no particular order in the test

This has been the only format the IMAT has taken (although earlier IMAT exams had more questions than 60), so it is likely that this will remain. However, it should be noted that this can change since Cambridge is no longer writing the exam. Negative marking is something that is a feature of all Italian medical entry exams, so this feature is likely to remain in place.

The IMAT has historically been composed of the following sections…

1. Logical Reasoning:

This is further divided into…

1.1: Critical Thinking:

A literary passage is presented and the student must answer one out of seven possible standard question types. 

• This section is very preparable, and there is a set method that you can remember for each question type, which will work almost every time!
• We teach you these methods in our course. 
• Knowing these methods almost guarantees you full marks on this subsection!

1.2: Problem Solving:

These questions require very little knowledge or “study” but focus instead on the student’s ability to solve problems. The problems can be numerical in nature, or test your spatial reasoning, ability to recognise patterns, to name just a few. 

• Some questions repeat and have a set method you can use, which we prepare you for on our platform. 
• We have also compiled over a thousand IMAT-style questions from relevant sources on our platform, as well as created some of our own, to help prepare you for these types of questions. 

2. General Knowledge:

This section tests your knowledge of fields outside of science (for example, history, philosophy, current affairs, and so on). 

• The section does NOT require you to formally study all these fields
• There are many tricks you can use to maximise the chance of preparing for the types of questions the writers ask. We teach you how to do this in our course. 
• We have also analysed countless other Italian university admission exams that test general knowledge, and prepared English versions of the questions for you. This will help you prepare for the types of questions the IMAT likes to ask.

3. Biology:

Historically the most important section to study for. Biology requires a lot of time and commitment, and the IMAT is known for asking very difficult questions. 

• We teach you what is important for specifically IMAT biology, with theoretical video lessons explaining not only the theory but what specifically can show up on the IMAT. 
• We have created many questions in the exact same style of the IMAT, for all our important topics
• We also have practical lessons where we solve exam questions in video format, showing you how to approach the questions and what traps are laid out for you. 

4. Chemistry:

Historically the second most important section to study for. Chemistry requires a very broad skill set and the IMAT asks quite difficult questions. 

• You do NOT have a calculator or periodic table, so the way that you study chemistry might be a bit different than what you are used to. 
• We teach you not only the theory but what will show up on the test and how to step-by-step solve questions in an easy-to-understand manner
• We have created many questions in the exact same style as the IMAT, for all our important topics
• We also have practical lessons where we solve exam questions in video format

5. Math:

Usually a small section, but nonetheless good to study for since math is also useful in other sections (like problem solving). 

• The level of math is quite basic, but since you have no calculator you will need to get good at using your mental math. 
• We teach you not only the theory but what will show up on the test and how to step-by-step solve questions in an easy-to-understand manner
• We have created many questions in the exact same style of the IMAT, for all our important topics
• We also have practical lessons where we solve exam questions in video format

6. Physics:

A historically small section, and one that many successful students actually skip altogether. We are not necessarily saying you should skip this section, in fact, it could be a very easy section and a good source of marks if you enjoy physics. 

• There are also some really easy types of questions to prepare for if you know what to expect. 
• We teach you not only the theory but what will show up on the test and how to step-by-step solve questions in an easy-to-understand manner
• We have created many questions in the exact same style of the IMAT, for all our important topics
• We also have practical lessons where we solve exam questions in video format

What sections will be present in the IMAT 2023? We cannot confirm yet since nothing has been released, but we can say with near certainty that biology, chemistry, math and physics will be tested. Problem solving and general knowledge are also likely to exist in some form. Critical thinking is the section that is most likely to change, since it is a section that has featured in other Cambridge exams, and Cambridge is no longer writing the test. However, it could still remain. For now, we recommend studying for it.

The number of questions for each section in the IMAT could potentially change this year since this frequently happened in the past.

How Best to Prepare for the IMAT Test 2023

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Our course also features 1000+ practice questions, each meticulously crafted to target common IMAT exam topics. Each question comes with a step-by-step solution guide, ensuring that our students possess a thorough understanding of the material.

The IMAT Buddy course is available through a 12-month one-time subscription, meaning students will have plenty of time to master the material. With our innovative and comprehensive course, students can be confident they’re on the right path to achieving great results on the IMAT exam and gaining admission to their dream university. This is backed up by the IMAT Buddy Guarantee – students who buy the course and fail the IMAT will be able to get their 12-month subscription renewed free of charge for the following year from their purchase.

Check out IMAT Buddy’s IMAT Preparation Course and feel confident sitting the test IMAT with all the added features of:

• Hundreds of hours of total course content
• Over 700 Lessons and 50+ hours of original videos: We have created lessons that teach you not only the content but specifically what the IMAT asks. With these lessons, you will have the IMAT-specific knowledge that most test-takers lack
• Theoretical Lessons: to teach you everything you need to learn to pass. We ensure that you have all knowledge you need for the various topics in the IMAT.
• Practical Lessons: to give you the techniques, tips and tricks to master the test. Content is not everything, there are plenty of tricks and techniques involved that can give you bonus marks. We will teach you all of these so you have every edge over your competition.
• 1000+ Practice Questions: with worked solutions, created by us in the same style as the IMAT. We have designed over 1000 questions across all the relevant topics so that you will be prepared for anything in the actual test.
• Realistic Test Simulators: designed by us in the same style as the IMAT. These will help you prepare for the actual rest in a realistic way, without wasting past papers.
• 3 Months of Logical Reasoning: 1000+ logic questions in the same style as the IMAT.
• General Knowledge Mastery: hundreds of general knowledge questions with tips on how to prepare for them. From both other Italian exams and from us.
• Worked Solutions: to all past IMAT papers. With these, you will fully understand the past test papers.
• Past Exam Analysis: not just for the IMAT but other similar exams. We analyse the IMAT and other similar exams to help you understand how the test writers think and how they produce questions. That way you will be fully prepared for anything they will prepare.

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