IMAT Exam: Structure, Eligibility, Application Process, Tips & More

IMAT Exam or the International Medical Admissions Test is a mandatory step for students aspiring to pursue a medical career in Italy. As the demand for doctors continues to rise globally, international students move abroad for a comprehensive medical education and diverse work opportunities. Italy has become a preferred destination for medical studies due to its prestigious universities, affordable tuition fees, and rich cultural heritage. Moreover, Italian medical degrees are recognised throughout the European Union, enhancing career opportunities for international candidates. 

To learn more about the IMAT Exam, continue reading this comprehensive blog!

IMAT Exam Highlights

Highlights	Details
Full form	International Medical Admissions Test
Test Format	Paper-based
Schedule	Once a year between September and November
Number of Questions	60 multiple-choice questions
Duration	100 minutes
Scoring	+1.5 marks for correct answers-0.4 marks for incorrect answers
Maximum Score	90
Eligibility	Open to anyone who registers and pays the fee
Registration Fee	EUR 130 or INR 11,780

Detailed Structure Of The IMAT Exam

The IMAT Exam is a standardised test required for admission to medical schools in Italy. Any candidate applying to Italian medical universities must take this test. The exam is designed to test the candidate’s aptitude and foundational knowledge necessary for a medical career. Logical reasoning, general knowledge, biology, chemistry, maths, and physics are some of the major modules. The exam is strictly paper-based and is conducted annually between September and November.

The test has 60 multiple-choice questions with 5 options each and a total duration of 100 minutes. These questions are divided as follows: 

Module	Number of questions
Reading skills and general knowledge	4
Logical reasoning and problem-solving	5
Biology	23
Chemistry	15
Maths and physics	13

Popular questions and sections under the above modules are given in the following table –

Module	Question Types
Logical Reasoning	Visual reasoning Relevant selection Finding procedures Percentages
Biology	Anatomy and physiology Cytology  Genetics  Biomolecules The central dogma of molecular biology Bioenergetics
Chemistry	Organic chemistry Solutions  Stoichiometry Bonds and molecular geometry  Periodic table
Maths and Physics	Geometry  Probability and statistics Equations and disequations  Thermodynamics Kinematics  Dynamics

IMAT Exam Scoring System

Since the IMAT Exam is multiple-choice, it has a uniform scoring system with equal weightage for each question. Every correct answer gets you 1.5 marks. However, if you answer incorrectly, you lose 0.4 marks. Since negative marking is heavily exercised throughout the paper, it is best to skip any question you can’t accurately answer.

Given the scoring system, the highest possible mark in the IMAT exam is 90. In 2023, the highest achieved score was 79.4, whereas the lowest was 33.9. If you wish to acquire admission to a prestigious university in Italy, you must score higher than the average since the admission process is often highly competitive. If two candidates score the same, their scores in individual sections are considered to find the higher-ranking candidate. If the individual scores are equal too, the students’ English Language Certificate is considered.

Eligibility For The IMAT Exam

The only eligibility for taking the IMAT exam is registration and payment of the registration fee. There is no minimum or maximum age limit to the exam either! This implies that virtually anyone could take this test.

• While applying to Italian medical schools, the most crucial aspect is that you must have completed at least 12 years of schooling. You can take the IMAT exam as many times as you want since there’s no limit to the number of registrations per candidate.
• In the unlikely scenario that you have not completed 12 years of schooling but still wish to appear for the exam, you can proceed to take it but won’t be able to apply to any medical school without completing 12 years first. 
• Also, note that the scores in the IMAT exam are valid only for the same year. So if you take the exam in 2024, you can use those scores to apply only in the academic cycle of 2024. One loophole to get ahead of this is to write the exam before completing 12 years if you’re sure you will graduate from high school in the same year and can proceed with applications.
• In an instance where your native country does not offer 12 years of high school education, you can complete diplomas or short-term degrees to fill in the gap. If you complete 10 years of high school and 3 years of university in your native country, the Italian institutions will use those years to fill the remaining two. They will also consider your higher education to reduce the duration of your medical degree.

Is IMAT Mandatory To Study In Italy?

The IMAT Exam is often mandatory for almost all public Italian universities. There’s no other process through which an international student could apply to Italian medical schools. However, note that IMAT is not the only prerequisite. Along with the results of this exam, you must also submit –

• Proof of completing 12 years of schooling before applying to a University. 
• Registration at the university of your choice.
• DOV or equivalent certificate.
• A study visa (Non-Eu candidates).

IMAT Exam Important Dates & Fees

The IMAT Exam will be held on Tuesday, 17th September, 2024. Students can register for the exam up to 30th April 2024. The IMAT Exam fee is EUR 130 or INR 11,798. However, the authorities are liable to change the registration fee. In India, students can take the IMAT exam in New Delhi at BC Education India Private Limited.

IMAT Exam Application Process

The IMAT exam application procedure for international or non-EU students differs significantly as compared to EU or Italian students. International candidates must acquire a study visa, pre-enroll, and begin their enrollment process as soon as the first ranking is released. Moreover, international students can compete for only one university in the ranking list. The tuition fees may also differ significantly, depending on the programme and university.

To register for the IMAT exam, candidates must visit the official website. Note that you must fill in all details accurately and input your choices correctly since you cannot change the answers after registration is complete. Here are the steps to a successful application.

1. Visit the official website of the IMAT exam.
2. Click on ‘Apply Online’ in the top section of the website.
3. Input all the personal and educational details on the new page.
4. You will be required to upload official documents, like Aadhar Card, photo, signature, class 10th certificate and class 12th certificate.
5. Pay the registration fee and complete the application!

IMAT Exam Results

After the exam, the results are released within 15 days. After which, the first ranking list is out. International students must score at least 20 points to be eligible to enter the ranking list. In the first ranking list, students who have scored the highest marks are allotted seats according to their preferences.

In case, you’re not given your preferred university, you can wait for the next ranking list. However, this last step doesn’t apply to international students as they can compete for only one university. Here’s how the allotments in the ranking list look like – 

Result	Meaning
Assigned	You’ve been allotted a place in your preferred university. You must enrol within 4 business days.
Booked	You’ve been allotted a place in a university other than your preference. You can enrol immediately or wait to find a different university.
Waiting	You may be allotted a place after any other spots open up.
Not Ranking	You haven’t been allotted a place in any university this year.

The IMAT exam’s results have several rounds of rankings since maximum candidates choose to wait for a better university than the one they’re ranked in the list. This increases the number of ranking lists. Because the process of enrolment is slightly complicated for international students, it is advisable to select a university that is achievable and aligns with your interests in the preferences.

Top Medical Schools In Italy

Source: Multirank Site

Since you’re required to choose a medical school at the time of registration as your preference, it is essential to research and find a university that aligns with your career goals. Here is a list of the top public medical schools in Italy that offer top-notch education and world-class facilities.

• The University of Bari
• The University of Bologna
• The University of Catania
• The University of Messina
• The University of Milan
• The University of Milan Bicocca, Bergamo
• The University of Naples “Federico II”
• The University of Naples “Luigi Vanvitelli”
• The University of Parma, Piacenza
• The University of Pavia
• The University of Padua
• The University of Poli Marche, Ancona (Medicine And Technology)
• The University of Rome La Sapienza (Medicine & Dentistry)
• The University of Rome Tor Vergata
• The University of Siena (Dentistry)
• The University of Turin, Orbassano

How To Prepare For The IMAT Exam?

Preparing thoroughly for the IMAT exam is extremely crucial because of its difficulty, high competition, and tough ranking. You must make a detailed study plan and prepare each part of the examination accurately. Here are some tips that you can follow to score well in the exam:

1. Acquaint yourself with the exam structure, paper pattern and type of questions.
2. Recognise the areas where you need help.
3. Refer to the best online resources and study material.
4. Set realistic goals based on your knowledge, capabilities, and overall performance.
5. Dedicate enough time to each section of the exam.
6. Build a strong foundation for each section so you experience smooth studying for applied questions.
7. Practise time management.
8. Understand challenging questions and determine a way to solve them effectively.
9. Explore the common mistakes made in the IMAT exam and figure out how to avoid them.
10. Review your answers carefully during the IMAT exam to avoid excessive negative marking.

IMAT Resources

An important aspect of an effective IMAT study plan is referring to the right resources. You can find an ample number of resources online. Some of the most beneficial ones are mentioned here:

1. EnterMedSchool’s Biology Book
2. Campbell Biology
3. Chemistry: The Central Science
4. Fundamentals of Physics
5. Thinking, Fast and Slow
6. The Art of Thinking Clearly

FAQs

1. Who is eligible for the IMAT exam?

There is no minimum or maximum age limit to take the IMAT exam. No exhaustive eligibility criteria are set either. As long as you pay for the exam and complete the registration, you can take the exam. However, to apply to medical schools in Italy, you must have completed 12 years of education.

2. Is IMAT easy for Indian students?

Indian students who have been preparing for NEET will find the IMAT exam relatively easier. 

3. Is IMAT conducted only in Italy?

International candidates can take the IMAT exam in Italy or more than 20 test centres all over the world.

4. Can I do an MBBS in Italy without the IMAT exam?

To study at any public medical school in Italy, candidates must take the IMAT exam. However, if you’re applying to private schools, you may be able to enrol without the IMAT. Private medical schools usually have their own admission tests.

5. Is IELTS required for IMAT?

Candidates are required to submit proof of English language tests at the time of enrolment at any medical school in Italy. A minimum score of 6.0 is required in IELTS. English language certificates are also beneficial in IMAT when two candidates have equal scores in all sections.

Thank you for reading our guide to the IMAT Exam! Ask your queries in the comments section below!

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