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Common Test IMAT FAQs
We receive a lot of questions from applicants regarding the IMAT Test.
Below are some of the questions that have been sent to us. Feel free to send us your own!
What is IMAT test Italy?
The IMAT is the admission test for medicine in a public Italian medical school taught in English. It is the only criteria that you are assessed on. This means that it is the only factor that is used to allocate seats in medical school, there are no other tests or interviews.
Is IMAT test hard?
The IMAT is tough. The questions themselves are challenging. It is a 'pen and paper' test meaning you cannot use any aids such as calculators and periodic tables.
Who is eligible for IMAT exam?
A candidate eligible for the IMAT is considered one that is eligible for university in their home country. You do not need any prerequisite courses, and your grades are not relevant. You will need to have at least 12 years of schooling. For most candidates this means 12 years of high school, but if you did not complete 12 years of high school then any missing years can come from university.
How much does the IMAT test cost?
The cost of registering for the exam is around €130. While this amount can change slightly in the future, it will not be anything considerably higher. Some universities also have a pre-application which sometimes involves a small fee of about €10.
What is the minimum score for IMAT?
The lowest IMAT cut off score for each university changes every year and depends on whether you come from an EU country or not. While in the past people have secured a place with scores in the 10-20 range, it is getting much harder. Generally a 40+ is required for the less competitive universities, but to be safe you should aim for 50+.
Can I study MBBS in Italy without IMAT?
To apply to a public medical school in Italy in English you must sit the IMAT. If you are a current medical student you can apply for a transfer to an Italian public medical school without sitting the IMAT, but spaces are very limited.
Is it easy to crack IMAT?
No. There are about 10,000 students each year that take the IMAT and less than 1000 seats in the public medical schools, so you need to be competitive. You need to acquire all the knowledge that you can be assessed on, as well as understand the nature of the test. Solid study strategies, practice and time management are key.
What are the disadvantages of studying in Italy?
While Italy has many benefits regarding cost and quality of education, it may not be for everyone. It will be a very new environment for international students, so you need to be ok with leaving your family and friends. You will also need to learn Italian by the start of the 4th year of university so you can talk with patients and get the most from your practical experiences. There are of course culture shocks as well that may be daunting. Overall however, Italy is fantastic for most international students.
Is med school in Italy hard?
Med school anywhere is hard. There is a lot of content that you need to learn, so you will need to dedicate a lot of time to study. However, compared to most countries Italian med school is probably less stressful. This is because you can retake exams as many times as you want. You are generally not given homework or assignments that you are graded on either. This allows for a great deal of flexibility compared to other systems around the world.
What is a good score for IMAT?
The maximum score is 90 since there are 60 questions worth 1.5 points each. However, you will get -0.4 if you answer a question incorrectly. You will get 0 if you do not answer a question. Generally speaking you should strive for a 50 or higher as this is almost always enough for most universities.
How do I prepare for IMAT?
You should spend about 3-6 months studying biology, chemistry, math and physics, depending on how much experience you have with these subjects. Past BMAT and TSA papers will also you since they are similar to the IMAT (at least in some sections). Closer towards the end of the exam you should attempt past IMAT papers.
How do I prepare for IMAT?
You should spend about 3-6 months studying biology, chemistry, math and physics, depending on how much experience you have with these subjects. Past BMAT and TSA papers will also help you since they are similar to the IMAT (at least in some sections). Closer towards the exam date you should attempt past IMAT papers.
Can we study MBBS in Italy without IMAT?
To apply to a public medical school in Italy in English you must sit the IMAT. If you are a current medical student you can apply for a transfer to an Italian public medical school without sitting the IMAT, but spaces are very limited.
How much does IMAT cost?
The cost of registering for the exam is around €130. While this amount can change slightly in the future, it will not be anything considerably higher. Some universities also have a pre-application which sometimes involves a small fee of about €10.
Who is eligible for IMAT?
A candidate eligible for the IMAT is considered one that is eligible for university in their home country. You do not need any prerequisite courses, and your grades are not relevant. You will need to have at least 12 years of schooling. For most candidates this means 12 years of high school, but if you did not complete 12 years of high school then any missing years can come from university.
How long should I study for IMAT?
The minimum study is 3 months full time before the test. However, if you do not have a science background in high school it is recommended you study 4 to 5 months full time. If you have other commitments and need to study part time this will of course make the study time longer.
Is IMAT easy to pass?
No. There are about 10,000 students each year that take the IMAT and less than 1000 seats in the public medical schools, so you need to be competitive. You need to acquire all the knowledge that you can be assessed on, as well as understand the nature of the test. Solid study strategies, practice and time management are key.
Where can I work with an Italian medical degree?
Your Italian MBBS is a global degree. It will be accepted throughout the EU, USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and many other countries. Exactly how the admission process works in these countries for graduates with international degrees may vary, but the degree you receive is as accredited as any other European medical degree. Keep in mind that how things work in other countries can change, so always check with that country's relevant institution.
What happens after IMAT?
Immediately after the IMAT they generally release a copy of the test where all the correct options in the multiple choice questions are A. That means if you remember what you answered you can work out your score. A few weeks later the official results come out and you start being ranked. If given an offer, you need to accept it within 4 days. You will then enrol into your chosen university.
How many people sit the IMAT?
Generally about 10,000 students will take the IMAT per year. However, the IMAT is growing in popularity, so you can expect this number to steadily increase.
What is the average IMAT score?
The median score is about 35, but this can change year to year. Usually only 5% of people score above 55. It is important to remember that being EU or non-EU is relevant, as EU seats are not available to non-EU students and vice versa.
Is IMAT harder than BMAT?
The IMAT tends to have harder biology questions than the BMAT, but the BMAT is overall more competitive since it has far more applicants. Thus, the score required on the IMAT is generally lower than for the BMAT.
What is the best medical school in Italy?
This is hard to answer as what is best for you may not be best for others. Generally speaking however, the top ranked universities for medicine in Italy tend to be the northern universities and the ones in Rome such as the University of Milan, University of Padua, Sapienza University Rome, University of Milano-Bicocca and the University of Turin. These are usually the ones that receive the most interest as well, but it does not necessarily mean they are the best.
How many times can you take IMAT?
You can take the IMAT once a year, as many years as you like. If you fail the IMAT it will not impact you in the future year that you decide to take it.
How long is IMAT valid for?
The IMAT score you receive is only valid for the year you take it in. You cannot save your score and apply in the next year. You would in that case need to take the test again.
Do I need IMAT for dentistry?
Yes. The University of Siena offers dentistry in English, and they use the IMAT as their admission test. It works the exact same way as for medical students.