IMAT Medical Exam in Italy 2026: The Comprehensive Guide for International Students

The IMAT exam serves as the official and sole gateway to studying medicine in English at Italian public universities, which feature some of the lowest tuition fees across Europe. The system requires no personal interviews or motivation letters, as admission chances rely entirely on your test scores. This guide provides everything you need to know to secure your success.

What is the IMAT Exam?

It is the International Medical Admissions Test organized once a year by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR). It targets admissions to Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine programs taught in English within public universities in Italy.

IMAT 2026 Exam Date

Official authorities in Italy confirmed that the IMAT 2026 exam will be held on September 30, 2026 (rescheduled from the previously announced date). Registration takes place exclusively via the Universitaly platform and opens a few weeks before the test date.

Registration: on the universitaly.it platform. Make sure to monitor early opening dates for registration.
Registration Fee: Approximately €130.
Pre-enrollment: A mandatory step for all international students (non-EU), which has specific deadlines and limited seats that can fill up quickly.

IMAT Exam Structure and Question Distribution

According to the format approved in recent sessions (noting that the final format is issued via an annual ministerial decree):

Section	Number of Questions	Guidance Notes
Biology	23	The largest section — focus heavily on it
Chemistry	15	Requires strong and advanced fundamentals
Physics and Mathematics	13	Advanced high school level
Logical Reasoning	5	Continuous practice quickly raises your score
General Culture	4	Diverse general questions

Total Questions: 60 multiple-choice questions in 100 minutes.
Scoring System: +1.5 for a correct answer, −0.4 for an incorrect answer, and 0 for skipped questions.
Maximum Score: 90 points.

Important Note: The numbers and dates above are verified from official sources for 2026, though specific details may vary slightly by university. At Emisa Academy, we verify all final details accurately before any step is taken.

Smart Strategy for Negative Marking

Since an incorrect answer deducts (−0.4) marks, random guessing poses a risk to your total score. The core rule: only answer if you can eliminate at least two wrong choices, and leave the question blank if you are guessing completely.

Action Plan and Preparation for International Students

Start preparing early, 6 to 9 months before the test date, prioritizing Biology and Chemistry (as they account for 38 out of 60 questions).
Rely on English-language sources and curricula to get used to scientific terminology accurately.
Practice solving past exams within a simulation environment and under real-time conditions (100 minutes).
Allocate time for logical reasoning practice as it is the fastest section to boost your score.
Review and correct mistakes regularly rather than just solving more exercises.

University Ranking: The Most Critical Step

Upon completing registration, you must rank the universities in order of your preference, keeping in mind that this ranking cannot be modified after final submission. International students compete for reserved seats in their first-chosen university; therefore, any mistake in your preference ranking could forfeit your admission chance entirely, even with a high score.

Frequently Asked Questions for International Students

Can I study medicine in Italy without the IMAT exam?

No, the IMAT is mandatory for public universities. Some private universities rely on their own entrance exams with high tuition fees.

How many times is the IMAT allowed to be retaken?

There is no limit to the number of attempts, but because it is held only once a year, every unsuccessful attempt costs a full academic year.

What is the required admission score?

There is no fixed passing minimum; admission is competitive and depends on available seats and applicant numbers per university, varying annually.

Start Your Academic Step with Confidence with Emisa Academy

We support international students throughout their journey with integrated assistance including: accurate registration via the Universitaly platform, smart university preference planning, and completing pre-enrollment steps and the Declaration of Value certificate, as administrative errors at this stage can cost you an entire year.

Contact us today at Emisa Academy to begin your journey to success for 2026 together.