IMAT 2026: How to Score 35+ and Study Medicine in Italy in English

What Is IMAT?

The IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) is the standardised test used by Italian public universities to select students for English-language undergraduate Medicine (MBChB / Laurea Magistrale) programmes. It is jointly administered by Cambridge Assessment and the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR).

IMAT Structure (100 Questions / 100 min)

Strategy by Section

Logical Reasoning (23 questions)

These are the questions that separate candidates in the 35–40 range from those scoring 45+. Types include: assumption identification, conclusion strengthening/weakening, parallel reasoning, and flawed argument recognition.

• Do not use real-world knowledge — evaluate only the information in the passage
• Time is tight (1 min/question) — practise identifying argument structure quickly
• Use Cambridge BMAT Section 1 past papers as supplementary practice material

Biology (18 questions)

The highest-weight science section. High-frequency topics:

• Cell division (mitosis, meiosis) and genetics (Mendelian inheritance, linkage, mutations)
• Protein synthesis — transcription, translation, post-translational modification
• Hormonal regulation — insulin, glucagon, thyroid hormones, cortisol
• Human physiology — cardiac cycle, renal function, gas exchange, nervous system

Chemistry (12 questions)

• Stoichiometry and mole calculations — always appear
• Organic reactions: esterification, addition to alkenes, substitution, oxidation of alcohols
• Acid-base equilibria and buffer calculations

University Ranking by IMAT Score Cutoff (2025)

• University of Milan: ~43–47 (most competitive)
• La Sapienza, Rome: ~38–44
• Federico II, Naples: ~35–42
• University of Pavia: ~32–38