IMAT minimum scores: How much you actually need and how it has changed
One of the most common questions students ask is simple: what score do I need to get into medicine in Italy?
The honest answer is that there is no fixed minimum score. What matters is the cut-off, which is the score of the last student who gets a seat in a given year. This changes every year depending on competition, number of seats, and exam difficulty. Still, by looking at recent data and historical trends, we can understand what a realistic target looks like.
What score do you need in 2026?
In the most recent IMAT sessions, the level has become significantly more competitive. In 2025, the minimum score to obtain a place in medicine at the first round of allocation was about 54.8 points. However, this number alone is misleading. For top universities, the required scores were much higher:
Around 60 to 66+ for competitive schools like Milan or Bologna
Around 55+ for the lowest entry points in the first allocation
For non-EU students, the situation is even more competitive, with cut-offs often ranging from 65 to 75+ depending on the university. A realistic target today is:
60+ to be competitive
65+ for top choices
70+ for high security, especially non-EU
How scores have changed over time
Looking at the data from 2019 to 2025 shows how unpredictable the IMAT can be:
2019: around 46.5 minimum
2020: around 51.5
2021: around 43.0
2022: around 42.8
2023: around 34.9
2024: around 56.9
2025: around 54.8
This variation is not random. It reflects how difficult the exam is each year and how many students apply. For example, 2023 had unusually low cut-offs because the exam was considered difficult. In contrast, 2024 saw a sharp increase because the test was perceived as easier, pushing scores much higher.
