The IMAT 2026 — the complete guide.
Everything you need in one place: exam format and scoring, EU vs non-EU eligibility, Universitaly registration, cutoffs, exam centres, costs and scholarships — explained clearly, for students applying from anywhere in the world.
Your gateway to medicine in Italy
The International Medical Admissions Test is a standardised, English-language exam required for admission to English-taught Medicine & Surgery degrees at Italian public universities. It assesses scientific knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving — and admission is purely merit-based on your score.
One sitting, no breaks
Five options each
Across six areas
Sat worldwide each autumn
60 questions, six areas of knowledge
The IMAT weights the sciences most heavily — which is exactly where focused preparation pays off.
Biology
The largest sectionChemistry
Concepts & calculationsPhysics
Applied problemsMathematics
Quantitative skillsProblem Solving
Numerical reasoningLogical Reasoning
Reading & logicEvery mark counts — including the ones you skip
The IMAT rewards accuracy over guessing. A wrong answer costs you, while leaving a question blank is neutral — so strategy and timing matter as much as knowledge. We train both.
IMAT score calculator
Enter how many of the 60 questions you'd get right, wrong or leave blank — and see your projected IMAT score instantly. Remember: +1.5 correct, −0.4 wrong, 0 blank.
Solid. Competitive for a range of universities depending on your pool and the scrolling rounds.
This is an estimate to help you plan. Compare your target against real university cutoffs.
EU vs non-EU: which pool are you in?
Every university splits its medical seats into two pools with separate quotas and separate cutoffs. Knowing your category is the first step to a smart university strategy.
EU candidates
EU citizens — and non-EU citizens legally resident in Italy who meet the criteria — compete for the larger EU seat quota. Cutoffs are generally lower, and unfilled seats are reassigned through several scrolling rounds.
Non-EU candidates
Students applying from outside the EU compete for a smaller, dedicated non-EU quota — cutoffs are typically higher and seats fewer. You must also complete pre-enrolment at an Italian embassy or consulate after results.
See the exact cutoff for your category
Compare EU and non-EU final scores, seats and rounds for every university — 2023 to 2025.
How to register on Universitaly
Registration runs through Italy's official Universitaly portal. The steps are the same wherever you apply from — and with the Premium program, our team handles the whole process for you.
Always confirm dates on Universitaly
Windows and the exam date are set yearly and can shift — verify on universitaly.it before booking.
Create your Universitaly account
Register on universitaly.it with your personal and passport details.
Select universities & sit the exam
Choose your test location, pay the fee, then sit the 100-minute IMAT at your chosen centre.
Results & national ranking
Scores are released and you're placed in the EU or non-EU ranking for your chosen universities.
Scrolling rounds & seat assignment
Seats are assigned by score; unfilled places scroll to lower-ranked candidates across several rounds.
Pre-enrolment, visa & enrolment
Non-EU students pre-enrol at an Italian consulate for the study visa, then complete enrolment at the university.
IMAT exam centres
The IMAT is held in Italy and at international centres worldwide, so you can usually test close to home. Availability varies each year — always confirm on Universitaly before booking.
In Italy — host universities
International centres
Medicine in Italy is remarkably affordable
Italian public universities charge roughly €500–€4,000 per year, scaled to family income (ISEE). Regional "DSU" scholarships can cover tuition entirely and add a living and housing stipend — and they're open to international students.
A proven path from first topic to test day
Knowledge, strategy and exam temperament — built in five stages through our live, school-style teaching.
Build foundations
Master core concepts systematically and close knowledge gaps before tackling complex applications.
Active practice
Solve problems daily through progressively harder question banks and real exam scenarios.
Strategy sessions
Develop time management, question prioritisation and informed-guessing technique.
Mock examinations
Sit full-length, timed simulations under exam conditions, then analyse and refine weak areas.
Your questions, answered
Know the exam. Then conquer it.
Book a counselling session and we'll map your route — target universities, a realistic score goal and the right program to get there.