What Is the IMAT Exam? The complete guide for International Students

If you are considering studying medicine or dentistry in Italy in English, the IMAT is the single most important step in your journey. Every year, thousands of international students sit this exam to compete for a limited number of seats in Italian public medical schools. The IMAT, or International Medical Admissions Test, is the official entrance exam for English-taught Medicine and Surgery programs in Italy. It is a national, standardized test used by public universities to select students based entirely on merit.

Unlike many other countries, your admission does not depend on interviews, personal statements, or school grades. Your IMAT score alone determines your ranking and whether you receive an offer.

Who Needs to Take the IMAT

The IMAT is required for both EU and non-EU students who want to study medicine in English in Italy. These programs are offered by public universities and are open to applicants from all over the world.

To be eligible, you simply need to have completed or be completing high school. There is no age limit, and students from a wide range of educational backgrounds apply each year (make sure to also consult the IMAT Portal).

How the Exam Works

The IMAT is a paper-based test that takes place once a year, usually in September. It lasts 100 minutes and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, each with five possible answers and only one correct option. The exam is divided into key areas:

• Logical reasoning and problem solving

• General knowledge

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics and mathematics

These sections are designed to assess not just what you know, but how well you think. Universities are looking for students who can apply knowledge, analyze information, and solve problems under time pressure.

Scoring System

The scoring system is straightforward but strategic:

• +1.5 points for each correct answer

• –0.4 points for each incorrect answer

• 0 points for unanswered questions (IMAT Portal)

This means guessing blindly can lower your score. Strong candidates learn when to answer and when to skip.

What Is the IMAT “Scrolling” System

After the IMAT results are published, you are not simply accepted or rejected. Instead, Italy uses a system of “scrolling.” At first, only the top-ranked students receive offers, but not all of them will accept their place. Some choose a different country, some miss deadlines, and others change their plans. When this happens, their spots become available.

This is where scrolling begins. Every few days, the ranking updates and moves forward. New students are assigned seats as places open up. This process continues until all available spots are filled.

How It Works in Practice

When results come out, you will see one of several statuses:

• Assigned: you have a confirmed place and must enroll within a short deadline

• Booked: you have a place, but at a lower-choice university, and can wait for a better option

• Waiting: you do not have a place yet, but you are still in the ranking

If you are “waiting,” scrolling is what gives you a chance. Each round, some students move up as others drop out or enroll elsewhere. It is common for students to receive offers weeks after the first allocation.

Why Scrolling Matters

Many students underestimate how important scrolling is. A score that seems too low at first can still lead to admission later. In some years, the ranking moves significantly, especially for EU students, but this also means patience is part of the process. However, you must actively confirm your interest in staying in the ranking at each update. If you miss this step, you are removed entirely.

What to keep in mind with the IMAT admissions process

If you are not immediately accepted, it does not mean it is over. The system is designed to keep moving, and many students secure their place through scrolling rather than the first round.

There are no second chances within the same year. One test, one score, one ranking. This makes preparation critical. Even a small difference in score can determine whether you enter your first-choice university or miss out entirely.