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The Italian Ministry of Higher Education and Research developed the IMAT Exam 2026 in collaboration with Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing, a global leader in creating university admission tests. This exam was specifically designed by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing under the direction of Italy’s Ministry of Higher Education and Research to cater to English-speaking students pursuing medical education in Italy.
In a broad sense, IMAT is an entrance test for MBBS (Master of Medicine) and Bachelor of Surgery (Bachelor of Surgery) in Italy. It is similar to the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Tertiary Admission Test) in India.
Who Can Apply for IMAT?
The IMAT exam (International Medical Admissions Test) is mandatory for students aiming to study MBBS in Italy. It is open to EU and Non-EU candidates, including Indian students, seeking admission to English-taught medical programs. Key eligibility criteria include:
- Educational Qualification: Completion of 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as core subjects.
- Minimum Marks: At least 50% aggregate in PCB (cut-off may vary by Italian medical university).
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be 17 years or older at the time of admission.
- Language Proficiency: Since courses are taught in English, proof of English proficiency is required; basic Italian language knowledge is an added advantage for daily life and clinical exposure.
How to apply for IMAT Exam 2026?
Step 1: Pre-enrollment
Non-EU students can only pre-register. Since EU students are not required to pre-register, EU students can enroll at any Italian medical school by visiting the nearest consulate to get the “Declaration of Value” paper.
Step 2: IMAT Registration
Pre-enrollment is followed by IMAT Registration. IMAT Registration is an online application that students must complete in order to sit for the exam. Applications are available in July and must be submitted as soon as they are available. If you are interested in applying to one of the top medical schools, you must apply as soon as they release their applications.
Step 3: Giving IMAT Exam
In the month of September, the IMAT exam is conducted. So, according to your selected location, you have to reach on time. And accordingly, after identification seats are allotted and given instructions on the conduct of the exam.
Step 4: IMAT Rankings and University Enrollment
The IMAT exam is given in the month of September. You must therefore arrive in plenty of time for the place you have chosen. After an identity check, seats are assigned and instructions are given on how to complete the exam.
NOTE:- You can apply only to 1 medical university!
IMAT Exam Eligibility Criteria
According to the IMAT examination eligibility criteria, a student will be considered for the IMAT examination only if he or she is 17 years of age or above and has passed the 12th-grade examination from a recognised board and obtained at least 60 marks in (PCB) Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Format of IMAT
IMAT is a mandatory exam for students who are interested in studying in Italian Universities. The IMAT Online exam is written with pen and paper and lasts 100 minutes. There are 60 questions in total in the exam. The questions are multiple choice and there are 5 options to choose from.
For every right answer, 1.5 points are awarded. For the wrong answer, -0.4 is allotted and no marks for no answer. To write in the exam, a calculator is not provided and the exam is divided into 4 sections.
IMAT Exam Syllabus
IMAT Syllabus consists of 4 sections, namely:-
- Section 1: Logical Reasoning and General Knowledge
- Section 2: Biology
- Section 3: Chemistry
- Section 4: Physics and Maths
For admission to the top Italian colleges, what is a good IMAT score?
Medical students with scores between 0 to 15 or 16 to 35 are reportedly ineligible for admission to prestigious medical schools. Therefore, passing IMAT with scores between 36 and 46 will be sufficient to get you into the best medical school in Italy. Additionally, a score of 50 or higher will be more than enough to get you into the college of your choice.
Nonetheless, what qualifies as a decent score is subjective and is determined by variables including the amount of competition, the number of seats available, and whether you are an EU or non-EU candidate.
It should be emphasized that while EU students can score around 50, it is crucial for non-EU students to obtain 50 or more, preferably at least 55.
IMAT Universities
- University of Bari
- University of Bologna
- University of Messina
- University of Milan
- University of Milan-Bococca
- University of Turin
- University of Siena
- University of Padova
- University of Rome
- University of Pavia
IMAT EU Cut-Offs 2025
IMAT scores have fluctuated significantly across rounds due to key factors. Initial EU vs Non-EU ranking errors were corrected, increasing competition. Many candidates accepted lower preference choices early, causing seat reshuffling. As a result, current cut-offs may change, and final cut-offs will differ.
| University | EU SEATS | Final Cut Off | 1st Round | 2nd Round | 3rd Round | 4th Round | 5th Round | 6th Round | 7th Round | 8th Round | 9th Round | 10th Round | SEATS LEFT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Sapienza | 45 | 65.8* | 62.4 | 62.4 | 65.8* | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Milano Statale | 55 | 65.8 | 66.2 | 65.8 | 65.8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Pavia | 103 | 60.1 | 60.5 | 60.2 | 60.2 | 60.2 | 60.1 | 60.4* | 60.1 | – | – | – | – |
| Bologna | 130 | 60.5 | 61.2 | 60.6 | 60.6 | 60.5 | 60.5 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Padova | 75 | 58.6 | 59.8 | 59.4 | 59.4 | 59.4 | 59.3 | 59.4* | 58.6 | 59.4* | 58.6 | – | – |
| Tor Vergata | 60 | – | 58.5 | 58.2 | 58.2 | 58.0 | 57.9 | 57.8 | 57.9 | 57.9 | 57.9 | 57.9 | 3 |
| Turin | 70 | 59.1 | 59.5 | 59.4 | 59.4 | 59.3 | 59.1 | 59.1 | 59.1 | 59.1 | – | – | – |
| Bicocca | 30 | 64.8 | 64.6 | 64.8* | 64.8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Federico II | 25 | 58.3 | 60.2 | 60.1 | 58.6 | 58.6 | 58.6 | 58.3 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Parma | 75 | – | 58 | 57.8 | 57.4 | 57.4 | 57.2 | 57.2 | 57.1 | 57.1 | 57.0 | 57.0 | 10 |
| Messina | 55 | – | 55.3 | 55.2 | 55.2 | 55.0 | 54.9 | 54.9 | 54.8 | 54.6 | 54.6 | 54.5 | 17 |
| Luigi Vanvitelli | 60 | – | 56.6 | 56.4 | 56.3 | 56.3 | 56.3 | 56.3 | 56.2 | 56.1 | 56 | 55.9 | 15 |
| Bari | 69 | – | 56.5 | 56.3 | 56.2 | 56.0 | 55.9 | 55.9 | 55.7 | 55.7 | 55.5 | 55.2 | 18 |
| Catania | 0! | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Marche (Ancona) | 20 | – | 57.8 | 57.5 | 57.4 | 57.4 | 57.4 | 57.4 | 57.4 | 57.4 | 57.4 | 57.4 | 3 |
| Cagliari | 80 | – | 54.8 | 54.7 | 54.6 | 54.6 | 54.5 | 54.5 | 54.3 | 54.2 | 54.1 | 54.1 | 23 |
| Siena (DENTISTRY) | 33 | – | 54.6 | 54.5 | 54.4 | 54.2 | 54.1 | 54.1 | 54.1 | 54.1 | 54.1 | 54.1 | 20 |
| La Sapienza (DENTISTRY) | 19 | 56.7 | 58.3 | 57.5 | 57.5 | 57.1 | 57.1~ | 56.7 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Bologna (VetMed) | 45 | – | 53.8 | 53.8 | 53.8 | 53.7 | 53.7 | 53.7 | 53.4 | 53.3 | 52.7 | 52.7 | 30 |
IMAT Non-EU Cut-Offs 2025
As mentioned, non-EUs do not have scrolling. These scores are thus most likely the final cut-off score.
| University | Non-EU Seats | Non-EU Cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| La Sapienza | 13 | 65.8 |
| Milano Statale | 15 | 72.9 |
| Pavia | 35 (+5) | 73 |
| Bologna | 20 | 70.3 |
| Padova | 25 | 65.4 |
| Tor Vergata | 20 | 69.1 |
| Tor Vergata (TIRANA) | 150 | 0.0 |
| Turin | 32 | – |
| Bicocca | 18 | 65.1 |
| Federico II | 45 | 63.1 |
| Parma | 45 | 67.6 |
| Messina | 56 | 58.2 |
| Luigi Vanvitelli | 50 | 66.2 |
| Bari | 11 | 49.3 |
| Catania | 60 | 61.6 |
| Marche (Ancona) | 60 | 58.2 |
| Cagliari | 20 | 54.2 |
| Siena (DENTISTRY) | 2 | 52 |
| La Sapienza (DENTISTRY) | 5 | 71.8 |
| Bologna (VETMED) | 5 | 40.6 |
How to Prepare for IMAT?
A student will need to buy some reference material or use the sample papers from last year to practice on a daily basis. In addition, your own skills and knowledge are very important for passing the IMAT. That’s why it’s considered difficult. Therefore, it’s important to plan carefully, put in a lot of work, and practice regularly. This will ensure that your dream of becoming a doctor is strong.
Conclusion
IMAT 2026 score is likely to rise due to several factors and challenges. As competition grows in all medical universities in Italy, it is important to use good study materials. Taking as many practical exams as possible is also essential.
Have faith and prepare yourself well to study MBBS in Italy.
Best of luck to you.
FAQ’s
Q. What is IMAT Exam 2026?
A. IMAT 2026 (International Medical Admissions Test) is the official entrance exam for MBBS in Italy for international and Indian students seeking admission to English-taught medical programs.
Q. Who is eligible for IMAT 2026?
A. Candidates must complete 10+2 with PCB, secure the minimum required percentage, and meet the age criteria. Both EU and Non-EU students are eligible to apply.
Q. Is NEET required for IMAT 2026?
A. Yes, NEET qualification is mandatory for Indian students to practice medicine in India after completing MBBS in Italy through IMAT.
Q. What is the IMAT 2026 exam pattern?
A. IMAT 2026 consists of multiple-choice questions covering Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and General Knowledge, conducted in English language.
Q. What is the IMAT 2026 cut-off score?
A. The IMAT cut-off varies every year based on seat availability, candidate category (EU/Non-EU), and competition level. Final cut-offs are released after all admission rounds.