What is the IMAT?
The International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) is the test that determines admission to English-language public medical schools in Italy. Unlike in many other countries, candidates are not ranked based on their high school grades, cover letters, interviews or anything of the sort. The score on the IMAT is the sole criteria that determines whether you will receive an offer to medical school, assuming you meet the eligibility requirements.
By passing the IMAT, you open up the chance to study Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Dentistry, or a combined Medical and Engineering degree in Italy. Outside of Italy, Pirogov Medical University in Russia also has the right to conduct the IMAT.
Update – IMAT 2025 Results, Cut Offs and Rankings
13th October 2025 – The IMAT 2025 Results have been released! Read our detailed article below covering the results and cut-off, and rankings.
Update – IMAT 2025 Paper with Answers and Analysis
19th September 2025 – The IMAT 2025 is complete! Read our detailed article below covering the paper and answers, along with expert analysis to guide your future preparations.
IMAT 2025 Date
The IMAT 2025 will take place on Wednesday, 17th September 2025. You can read the full announcement here.
IMAT 2025 Updates!
Recently, there have been new updates regarding the IMAT 2025. There have been many rumours this year about the test being cancelled, and new news has just been released!
IMAT Test Registration Dates 2025
IMAT registration will start on 26 August 2025 to 09 September 2025 until 15:00.
Read our latest article on the IMAT 2025 Registration Date.
Three Types of Medical Schools in Italy
For those who are not aware, there are three main types of medical schools in Italy
- Medical School in English: This is the public medical school most of our readers are interested in, where the IMAT is required to gain entry
- Medical School in Italian: This is the public medical school that is offered in the Italian language, where an admission test previously known as the Test di Medicina and TOLC MED has been required to enter.
- Private Medical Schools in English: These offer their own unique entry tests to medicine.
Legal Changes and Rumours
The Italian ducaetion ministry (MUR) recently announced that there would be changes this year to medical school admissions, without previously specifying who exactly would be affected. This has resulted in many rumours about what might happen to both Italian and English language medical schools in Italy.
We hope to add some clarity to the situation as more information is released. We always add links to back up our news updates, which we recommend you check. There are always new rumours being spread, and we recommend you always verify any claims you read online with official sources.
How has Medical School in Italy Changed?
It was announced this year that the Italian language entry test has been abolished (NOT the IMAT) and that there would be free entry into medical school in the Italian Language medicine program.
For students who are interested in studying medicine in Italy in the Italian Language (NOT English), the following changes will be implemented this year.
- The TOLC MED has been abolished
- Introduction of a filter semester with open access, and admission tests later on in the year to decide the final entry to medical school.
- Credit transfers are available for other science-related degrees for those students who fail the admission.
You can read the full ministry announcement here.
Has the IMAT Been Cancelled?
Most of you reading this probably do not care about the Italian language medical school degrees and are more interested in whether medical school in English in Italy has been impacted. The Italian Ministry of Education (MUR) has recently published news reporting that the IMAT will NOT be affected by the new laws.
Thus, IMAT 2025 will take place on Wednesday, 17th September 2025. You can read the full announcement here.
Will the IMAT be Cancelled in the Future?
The IMAT will remain in place in 2025, but what about in the long term?
Some of you might be considering taking the IMAT in future years (2026 onwards) and may be wondering if the IMAT will remain in the long term.
It is very likely that the IMAT will remain. This is due to the trouble that open access would cause with processing international student applications.
- There are far too many international students each year who apply for medical school to make open access feasible for medical school.
- Visa approval as well as the limited amount of physical seats in medical school, would make such a reform almost impossible.
- Furthermore, there are far too few alternative English language programs in the biological sciences that would allow for a credit transfer scheme similar to the Italian language program
The IMAT is primarily designed to attract international students, and the laws that MUR recently applied to the Italian language test would not make sense for international students. So, for now, the IMAT looks like it is here to stay!
We will, of course, post more updates about the situation as it unfolds.
IMAT 2025 Format
The IMAT was until 2023 written through a collaboration between MUR and Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing. From 2023 onwards, the test is solely conducted by MUR.
The test specifications for the IMAT are usually announced 2 to 3 months before the test day, thus, we will need to confirm the test format later in 2025. However, the current expected test format is the following…
- 4 questions in Reading Skills and Knowledge Acquired During Studies
- 5 questions in Problem Solving and Logical Reasoning
- 23 questions in Biology
- 15 questions in Chemistry
- 13 questions in Math and Physics
There are 60 questions in total, with 100 minutes to complete the test. The test is pen and paper-based, with all questions being multiple choice with 5 options to choose from.
The total score is out of 90. Marks are awarded as follows…
- 1.5 marks for a correct answer
- -0.4 marks for an incorrect answer
- 0 marks for no answer
EU vs Non-EU IMAT Candidates
An important concept to understand is the difference between EU and non-EU candidates for the IMAT. Your place in either category determines a lot about your application process, grading requirements, university choices and more. To read more about how this impacts you and what your status is, read our article Studying Medicine in Italy as an International Student: EU vs Non-EU Students.
IMAT 2025 Required Scores
The required entry score on the IMAT depends on a number of factors.
To start with, each university has its own cut-off, and the cut-off is decided purely based on the scores that applicants to that university obtained. Take this hypothetical example: if a university has 30 non-EU seats available and the non-EU person with the 30th highest score was 60, then the cut-off will be 60 for the non-EU bracket at that university, provided all candidates accept their offers.
The number of seats available, the competitiveness of the students who apply, and the number of students who apply to a university are all relevant to determining entry cut-offs. This is hard to predict beforehand, but prior to 2024, a safe score for a non-EU candidate was usually less than 61, while a score in the low 50s was generally safe for EU candidates.
Do not just think about a safe score, however. A good score is not about the numerical value, it is reflective of the difficulty of the exam. An easier exam will tend to see cut-off scores increase, while a harder exam will tend to see them fall.
Take a look at the required scores for IMAT 2024 to get an idea of how everything works.
IMAT 2025 Language Requirements
The IMAT is entirely in English, and this is the only language you need to speak to sit the test. You technically do not need to submit a language certificate to sit the test, but you may be required to have one to enrol at your university later. Check out our article Studying Medicine in Italy: Language Requirements.
IMAT 2025 Topics
The IMAT syllabus for 2025 does not expect any changes to the list of assessable topics. Luckily, the IMAT syllabus has been quite constant over the years, even if the format can change between some years.
Take a look at the current IMAT 2024 syllabus.
IMAT 2025 Instructions
The IMAT has a very specific test-taking procedure. It is important to know what you need to do on the test day so that you fill out your paper correctly. Every year there are students who make mistakes with bar codes and signatures, among other mistakes. This tends to result in disqualification.
It is also important to know what to bring with you on the day, such as receipts of payment, identification, etc. Failure to bring the required items can result in entry refusal at the test centre on the test day.
You can read more about the IMAT Test Day instructions.
Where and How to Book the IMAT 2025
The IMAT is booked entirely online, with the fee usually being less than 160 euros. The nice thing as well is that the test can be taken in many locations around the world. The test must be taken in person and cannot be taken online or on any other date besides the announced date.
IMPORTANT: Certain test venues fill up almost immediately, so make sure to book your test as quickly as possible. Some examples of test locations that often fill up in just a few minutes include, but are not limited to India, Turkey and Hong Kong.
To learn more about booking the test, check out our article IMAT Registration: How to Book the IMAT and IMAT Test Centres.
Have Questions?
Ask them below!
68 responses
Dear IMAT Buddy Team,
I hope this message finds you well. I recently read that if a student purchases the 12-month IMAT preparation course subscription but unfortunately does not pass the IMAT ,there may be an opportunity to reapeat the course without having to repurchase it.
Unfourtunately,Idid not gain any admission to any university for medicine courses this year . Could you please clarify if this policy applies to my situation and if so ,what steps I would need to take to proceed?
Thanks for your time and support . I look fowardto your reply .
Best regards,
Hi!
Please send an email to us with a proof of IMAT score, as well as the email address you used to sign up for the course.
Any idea on the exact IMAT 2025 date?
The dates are not yet specified, but early to mid September are the most common dates.
The Information is so well written and delivered ! I’m a first year medical student in University of Catania. And I can for sure tell you that this article is enough to give a newcomer all the basics in terms of the pre IMAT knowledge
Congratulations on getting into med school Musfiqur!
Hey, I think you’re from Bangladesh and a first year student of University of catania. I’d love to connect for some guidance, please share your contact if possible!
arsad.ahsan.jamil@gmail.com
Assalamu Alaikum
Could you please contact number.
When will the date for the IMAT 2025 be announced?
Usually the date is announced 2 to 3 months before the test, which is usually in September. Around June to July is thus likely.
Will the IMAT syllabus change from year to year?
It is very unlikely the syllabus will change. The syllabus is held constant year to year, so while it is not impossible, a change is not to be expected.
when will we get more information about the IMAT 2025?
Usually around July we can expect the IMAT test specifications to come out.
We are study abroad consultant.
Want to collaborate for imat exam preparation.
Please let us know how we can work together. We have indian students willing to study mbbs at italy.
Are score cut-offs expected to change much from this year? Thanks for the article.
It depends on the test itself, if the questions are of similar difficulty we can expect similar cut offs.
When does IMAT Pre Enrollment 2025 open?
It is not yet announced
What do you mean IMAT pre enrollment
Can you clary how to do pre enrollment for A Level education system given the final results are given in mid August
The pre-enrollment stage refers to a step performed on Universitaly. This stage is required for the visa process that non-EU students need to undertake. You can read a full guide on how pre enrollment works and how to perform it here: https://www.imatbuddy.com/the-ultimate-pre-enrolment-guide-to-study-medicine-in-italy/
Sir please can you provide me the cut offs of the universities for non EU students?
https://www.imatbuddy.com/imat-2025-cut-offs-and-rankings/
Are there any changes in the IMAT instructions for the test day, for instance regarding barcodes
The specifications for the IMAT 2025 are not out yet, but it is unlikely there would be any change
Is it possible for me to study Pharmacy through IMAT or it’s only for medicine students
The IMAT provides access to medicine or dentistry (and a medicine engineering double degree at the University of Marche). Admission to pharmacy is not through the IMAT, but via the TOLC-F
Ho comprato i manuali alpha test per prepararmi all’IMAT, ma ho notato che la teoria è molto poca rispetto a quella degli alpha test per la prova in italiano. Al fine di sostenere l’IMAT è sufficiente la teoria presente solo sul libro in inglese?
In generale, libri e manuali non sono sufficienti per una preparazione completa all’IMAT. Come hai detto la teoria presente su queste risorse è generalmente piú limitata.
Could you send us the books necessary to prepare for this upcoming test before we make unnecessary expenses?
there are no officially “necessary books” required for the IMAT, although certain textbooks can be useful. Our course does not require any textbooks and can be used as a standalone resource
Hi guys I need some guidance please im really confused. Since my grade 12 is about to be over in 2 months and after that i want to start preparing for IMAT, tell me what should I do? Where do I startbpreparing? Where do I start sending the IMAT application like where do I register myself, and where do I take courses.
Regards
Hi!
Regarding applications, the exact procedure depends a lot on various factors such as your citizenship, country of residence and preferred universities. Feel free to email us at info@imatbuddy.com so we can help you accounting for your personal situation.
As for where to prepare, you are welcome to start our course at your convenience. Again, feel free to email us if you want more information
Hi , the questions are the same every year or no ?
and how i can succeed in IMAT ?
and there is a book for IMAT ? |
plz can you tell me
Hi!
The questions are not the same every year, to succeed you need to study the material of the syllabus and be prepared for questions that you have not seen before. Our course can be used as a standalone resource for the test. Feel free to email us at info@imatbuddy.com if you have any questions or need any help.
Hi guys , is there any information on when the registration for EU applicants will open and are you able to use the same universit
aly account as last year to apply for this year?
Information about the registration date for the IMAT is not yet out unfortunately. As for your universitaly account, yes you can use the same one this year
Hi, is there any information on when registration for non EU students will start and can non EU students apply more than one university
Pre-enrollment is already open for non-EU students. Unfortunately, non-EU students cannot apply to more than one university
Hi information about on when registration date for non EU students
IMAT registrations are not yet open, we will post an update on our newsletter when they are
What type of books are required for IMAT ?
There are no strictly required specific textbooks for the IMAT. If you want more information on some books that are considered helpful, along with other resources, you can find that information here: https://www.imatbuddy.com/what-will-be-asked-in-the-imat-2024-and-how-to-prepare/
If you are using our course you will not need any additional textbooks
Hi, I would like to ask when the pre-enrollment period for Medicine will close on the Universitaly .com
Could you please let me know the exact deadline?
Hi,
Pre-enrollment deadlines are university specific and thus there is no single pre-enrollment deadline for medicine in general. You will need to check the deadline specifically for the university you are interested in
Hi!
Do you predict the cutoffs for IMAT 2025 to be significantly higher than the ones of previous years? How high should I prepare to score to get into the top universities?
It is never really possible to predict whether scores will be higher or lower than previous years, as this depends on a lot of factors like the difficulty of the exam and the number of applicants, which we do not know in advance. You can take a look at past papers and the required scores for those years. If you score over the required cut offs for those years in those same exams, then you are doing well.
Thank you for the answer. I understand the consept of the changing scores, what I meant by my question was if you think the exam is remarkably more competitive this year compared to the previous ones. Do you think there will be a huge increase in italian students trying for imat because of the changes made in the italian program? I am worried that my scores that have been enough with past papers might not be good enough this year because of the increasing competition.
It is not possible to say in advance whether EU competition will increase since a lot of factors are at a play. However, an increased demand from Italian students for medicine in English could indeed be relevant. To be safe, it is good to be prepared for higher cut offs and aim for higher scores than usual. Be aware however that this is just speculation, we can not say anything for sure.
Hello!
I have yet to see any information about an IMAT 2025 registration date. Do you have any information about that? It seems to be hard to find info, and I have yet to see anything published in universitaly.
Thanks very much
Registrations are not open yet and the ministry has not made the announcement as to when the registrations will start
Hello,
I have the same issue and would like to know when the registration will be available.
Did you receive any messages?
I went on universitaly earlier and clicked on IMAT, was forwarded to a page saying I have not received a payment confirmation email. This is absurd because I have not registrated yet, so I cannot be on that page.
What can I do to get the registration for the IMAT 2025?
Thank you for your time.
Registrations are not open yet so at the moment you cannot register for the IMAT. The page you are talking about is likely for informative purposes
Hello
I am an EU citizen planning to apply for medicine this year and I am a bit confused about the registration process.
As an EU student, do I need to pre-register on individual unis website (like turin, padova, pavia, milan) and if so is that still possible, or is it enough to simply select my top universities on the 26th?
Some universities do have this requirement, but most just require you place them in your ranking on Universitaly when booking the IMAT
Could you tell me which ones?
Messina and Marche have this requirement for EUs at this point
I would like to ask if there will be additional seats or test centers opened for the IMAT, in turkey. Currently only Ankara and Istanbul as available options but they got all full in a few hours.
Is Izmir will be an option for test centers in Turkey ?
Thank you so much for your assistance.
Historically it is quite common to add new seats for centres that have filled up. Adding an entirely new venue in another city however is not likely, but we will have to see
Hello ,
Is it wise to change the pre enrolllemnt to the new tor vergata tirana campous now ?
an email was rcvd on the same fornon eu students ,kindly advise
Thanks
An email was recently sent out for informative purposes regarding the Tirana campus. Whether or not you wish to pre-enroll to this university depends on you however.
Hi, I will sit the IMAT in September 2025 – Can I hold on to my gradesuntil the 2026 intakes or must I move straight after I receive my grades in October 2026?
The IMAT score is only valid for the same year of the test. You cannot save the score for next year
thanks for info.
Hello there, hope you’re well. Do you know:
1. whether the published anonymous score list available on universitaly includes only medicine and surgery candidates (or anyway only the candidates that applied to the same course of studies you applied too), or if it also includes those applying for dentistry and veterinary medicine?
2. If the published anonymous score list includes all the candidates that applied to all the different courses, do you know, roughly, what percentage of test-takers typically apply to medicine and surgery?
3. If it is possible, of course based on past years, to have an approximate estimate of the percentage of test-takers who choose a specific test venue and then eventually, if they succeed, enroll at that same university?
The answers to these questions might help have a clearer picture of how the distribution might look like and ultimately, what a first-round cut-off could be, by looking at the current anonymous score list.
The anonymous results are the results of the IMAT, thus include all the degree programs the IMAT can be used for. The percentage is not really possible to say, especially since EU candidates can choose multiple programs. There are no real statistics for your third point
Which documents are required for Pre enrollment
You can find them here: https://www.imatbuddy.com/the-ultimate-pre-enrolment-guide-to-study-medicine-in-italy/