The Complete Guide to Dates, Process, Fees, and Everything You Need to Know

If you are dreaming of studying medicine in Italy, one name stands between you and that dream: IMAT. The International Medical Admissions Test is the single gateway to English-taught medicine and surgery programmes at public Italian universities. Every year, thousands of students from across the globe — from India to Turkey, from Nigeria to Brazil — compete for a finite number of seats. For the 2026 cycle, preparation and timely registration are more important than ever. This guide covers everything you need: what IMAT is, who can sit it, how to register, what the exam looks like, and how to maximise your chances of success.

What Is the IMAT?

The IMAT — International Medical Admissions Test — is an entrance examination conducted by Italy's Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR). It is the compulsory test for admission to Medicine and Surgery (and related English-taught medical programmes such as Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine) at Italian public universities. Unlike many countries where applicants send separate documents to each institution, Italy uses a centralised system: a single exam, a single application portal, and a single national ranking list from which seat allocations are made.

The test was developed in collaboration with Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing until 2023. Since then, it has been administered solely by MUR. It is entirely multiple-choice, conducted on paper (not computer-based), and lasts 100 minutes. Sixty questions are distributed across four broad areas: logical reasoning and general knowledge, biology, chemistry, and physics and mathematics.

The scoring system carries real weight. Each correct answer earns 1.5 points; each wrong answer results in a deduction of 0.4 points; unanswered questions score zero. A maximum of 90 points is therefore theoretically possible, though scores in the 55–75 range are typically competitive enough for top-tier universities. Students who score below roughly 20 are automatically excluded from the ranking. This negative marking system means that blind guessing is statistically punishing — careful, strategic answering is essential.

Why IMAT 2026 Matters

The number of students sitting IMAT has grown consistently year on year. More than 15,000 candidates from EU and non-EU countries attempt the exam annually, making it one of the most competitive undergraduate medical admissions processes in the world. Italy's public medical universities are internationally respected, offer programmes in English, and charge comparatively low tuition fees ranging from roughly €1,000 to €4,000 per year — a fraction of what students would pay in the UK, Australia, or the United States. The combination of quality and affordability makes these seats extraordinarily sought-after.

For 2026, unofficial estimates suggest that the number of applicants will continue to rise. This means that preparation must begin earlier, registration must be completed promptly, and every administrative step must be handled with precision.

IMAT 2026 Key Dates (Expected Timeline)

Official dates for IMAT 2026 have not been confirmed as of June 2026, since the formal decree from MUR (the "Bando") is typically published in August. However, based on the 2025 cycle — where registration ran from 26 August to 9 September, and the exam took place on 17 September — the 2026 timeline is expected to be similar.

Here is the projected calendar for IMAT 2026:

April – July 2026: Pre-enrollment on the Universitaly portal. This is a separate, earlier step required for non-EU students in particular. Several universities close their non-EU pre-enrollment windows as early as May, so this phase must not be treated lightly.

July – August 2026: The official MUR Bando (decree) is expected to be published, announcing confirmed exam dates, seat numbers per university, fee structures, and the official syllabus for the cycle. Students should monitor the MUR website and the Universitaly portal actively during this period.

Late August 2026 (estimated): IMAT registration window opens. Based on historical patterns, registration opens roughly two weeks before the exam. In 2025, the window opened on 26 August.

Early September 2026 (estimated): Registration window closes. In 2025, the deadline was 9 September at 15:00 CEST. There are no extensions and no late applications. This deadline is absolute.

Mid-September 2026 (estimated): The IMAT exam takes place. The date has fallen on 17 September for the past two consecutive years, so mid-September 2026 is a reasonable expectation.

October – November 2026: Results are published and the national ranking list is released. University seat allocations begin through multiple rounds.

Always verify these dates against the official Bando once it is published. The Universitaly portal (universitaly.it) is the authoritative source.

Eligibility Requirements

Before registering, students must confirm they meet the eligibility criteria. The requirements are straightforward but non-negotiable.

Educational qualification: Applicants must have completed, or be in the process of completing, their secondary school education equivalent to the Italian maturità — in most countries, this means 12 years of schooling culminating in a final qualification. For Indian students, this is the 10+2 qualification. Subjects should ideally include Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, as the exam tests these directly.

Language of instruction: Applicants must be able to sit the test in English. There is no formal English language requirement (no IELTS or TOEFL score is needed), but all questions are in English and the medical programme will be conducted in English.

Age: There is no minimum or maximum age restriction for the IMAT. Students who have completed the required schooling are eligible.

Nationality: IMAT is open to both EU and non-EU students. The distinction matters enormously because Italian universities reserve separate seat quotas for EU and non-EU candidates. Non-EU students typically face a smaller quota and must complete additional administrative steps, particularly the pre-enrollment process through the Universitaly portal, before they can register for the exam.

Attempt limit: There is no limit on the number of times a student can sit the IMAT. However, it is vital to note that a score from one year cannot be carried forward. A 2025 IMAT score is entirely invalid for 2026 admissions. Students must re-sit the exam for every new admissions cycle.

How to Register for IMAT 2026: Step by Step

All IMAT registration is conducted exclusively through the Universitaly portal at universitaly.it. There is no alternative platform, no paper application, and no email-based registration. Any website or agent claiming to offer an alternative registration route is misleading you.

Step 1: Create or Update Your Universitaly Account

If you are a first-time applicant, create a new account on the Universitaly portal. You will be asked to enter personal information exactly as it appears on your passport. This is not a minor point — mismatches between your Universitaly registration and your travel documents can cause serious problems at the exam centre and during the subsequent enrolment process. If you are a returning applicant, log in and verify that all personal details are current and accurate, particularly your document type, citizenship status, and contact information.

Non-EU students who currently hold EU residency must use the identification document that proves their European status, as this can affect which seat quota they compete under.

Step 2: Complete Pre-Enrollment (Non-EU Students)

Non-EU students must complete a pre-enrollment step that is entirely separate from the main IMAT registration. This step is done through Universitaly and must be completed before the IMAT registration window opens. The pre-enrollment process requires you to indicate your university preferences — some universities such as Turin and Messina have specific pre-enrollment requirements.

Pre-enrollment deadlines vary by university, and some close their non-EU windows in May. If you are reading this in late July or August and have not completed pre-enrollment, contact the admissions offices of your target universities immediately to check whether a late submission is possible.

The Declaration of Value (DoV) is also relevant at this stage for students educated outside Italy. This is a document issued by the Italian Embassy in your home country that certifies your secondary school qualification is equivalent to the Italian high school diploma. Students from India, for example, obtain this from the Italian Embassy in New Delhi. The DoV typically takes several weeks to process, so it should be requested early — ideally several months before the exam.

Step 3: Fill in the IMAT Application Form

Once the registration window opens, log in to your Universitaly account and complete the IMAT application form. Every field must be filled accurately. The form will ask for:

• Personal details (name, date of birth, nationality, passport number)
• Contact information
• Details of your secondary school qualification
• Your preferred exam test centre
• Your university preferences (ranked in order of preference)

Your university preferences cannot be changed after submission. This is the most consequential decision in the entire process. If you score well enough for your second-choice university but listed your first-choice university ahead of it incorrectly, you may receive a less preferred placement or no placement at all. Research the cut-off scores of each university carefully before finalising your preferences.

Step 4: Select Your Test Centre

The IMAT can be taken in multiple countries. Italy hosts test centres in all major cities where participating universities are located, including Rome, Milan, Bologna, Naples, Turin, Padua, Bari, and others. International test centres are available in numerous countries including India, the UAE, Turkey, and many others. The number of available seats at each international centre is limited.

Test centres in India and Dubai, in particular, fill up extremely quickly. Students aiming for these centres should be ready to register the moment the portal opens and should not delay even by a few hours. Once a centre reaches capacity, it closes, and late applicants must choose an alternative.

Step 5: Pay the Registration Fee

Registration is only complete once the fee has been paid. The IMAT registration fee for 2026 is approximately €130 (around Rs. 14,500 for Indian students, or roughly $140 USD, though exchange rates vary). Payment is made online through the Universitaly portal. No offline or bank transfer payment options are available.

Your application is not submitted until payment is confirmed. Students should ensure their payment method is functional and that they have the necessary international transaction capabilities enabled on their card if registering from outside Italy.

Step 6: Download Your Confirmation and Admit Card

After successful payment, you will receive a confirmation email. Keep this confirmation safe. Closer to the exam date, your admit card (which specifies your exact test centre, date, time, and candidate number) will be made available through the Universitaly portal. Print it and bring it to the exam, along with your passport or the identification document you used during registration.

IMAT 2026 Exam Structure and Syllabus

Understanding the format of the exam is as important as understanding how to register for it. The IMAT consists of 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 100 minutes — an average of under two minutes per question. Each question has five options, exactly one of which is correct.

The question distribution is as follows:

Section 1 — Logical Reasoning and General Knowledge (23 questions): This section tests analytical and critical reasoning rather than factual knowledge. It includes problem-solving, data interpretation, and reading comprehension. The general knowledge component covers cultural, historical, and scientific topics that are broader than the specific science syllabus. This section is notoriously difficult to prepare for using textbooks alone — regular reading, puzzle-solving, and practice with past papers are the recommended strategies.

Section 2 — Biology (18 questions): Biology carries the largest single-subject weight. Topics include the cell, genetics and heredity, molecular biology (DNA replication, transcription, translation), the human body systems (circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, immune), ecosystems, and evolution.

Section 3 — Chemistry (12 questions): The chemistry syllabus covers atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, equilibrium, acids and bases, reaction kinetics, and organic chemistry including functional groups and basic biochemistry.

Section 4 — Physics and Mathematics (7 questions): This section covers mechanics, waves, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and basic mathematics including algebra, functions, sequences, logarithms, and geometry.

The test specifications are usually published one to three months before the exam date. Students should always verify the official syllabus for the 2026 cycle once it is released, as minor adjustments are possible.

Cut-Off Scores and University Selection

One of the most strategically important aspects of the IMAT process is choosing which universities to list as preferences. Italy has approximately a dozen public universities participating in the English-taught medicine programme, each with its own seat allocation and historically different cut-off scores.

Universities such as La Sapienza (Rome), the University of Milan, and the University of Bologna tend to have higher cut-off scores due to their prestige and popularity. Universities in the south of Italy — such as Bari, Messina, and Catania — have historically had lower cut-offs, offering a better chance of admission for students in the mid-range score bracket.

Based on the 2025 cycle, a score above approximately 55–70 is generally needed to be considered competitive across most universities. Scoring 65 or above significantly improves your chances, and scores above 67 typically place you in the running for the most selective institutions. However, cut-off scores fluctuate year on year depending on the difficulty of the paper and the pool of applicants, so past cut-offs should be treated as guidance rather than certainty.

Special Considerations for Non-EU Students

Non-EU students face a more complex process than their EU counterparts. The seat quota for non-EU students is smaller at each university, meaning the competition per available seat is often more intense. Additionally, non-EU students must:

Complete pre-enrollment through Universitaly before the IMAT registration window opens. Obtain a Declaration of Value (DoV) or equivalent credential recognition document from the Italian Embassy in their home country. Apply for a student visa to Italy after receiving a seat offer. The visa process typically begins after results are announced in October and must be completed before the academic year begins, usually in October or November. Some universities also require an ISEE Parificato — a financial declaration used to determine tuition fee brackets — if the student is applying for reduced fees or scholarships.

Non-EU students should also research Italian language requirements for year two and beyond. While year one of most programmes is taught entirely in English, some universities require students to demonstrate Italian language proficiency (typically B1 or B2 level) before they can progress to later years of the programme.

Preparation Strategy for IMAT 2026

Given that registration closes just over a week before the exam, serious preparation must begin months in advance. Most experts recommend a preparation window of six to nine months.

The core science content — particularly biology and chemistry — overlaps significantly with what students from India, the UK, and other countries study in their final years of secondary school. Students who have followed a NEET, A-level, or International Baccalaureate curriculum will find much of the content familiar. However, the logical reasoning section demands a different kind of preparation that no school curriculum adequately covers. Daily practice with reasoning problems, critical thinking exercises, and IMAT-specific past papers is the most effective approach.

Past papers going back several years are publicly available and represent the best preparation material. Working through past papers under timed conditions — simulating the actual 100-minute exam — builds both content knowledge and the exam technique needed to manage negative marking wisely.

Several structured preparation courses are available, ranging from self-paced online courses to intensive live programmes. Reputable platforms used by IMAT candidates include IMAT Buddy, EnterMedSchool, and Imatify, all of which offer question banks, mock exams, and subject-by-subject breakdowns.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing the pre-enrollment deadline: Non-EU students who fail to pre-enrol before their target university's deadline cannot proceed with the main IMAT registration. This mistake disqualifies students before the exam has even been announced.

Errors in personal details: Any discrepancy between your Universitaly registration and your passport can cause problems at the exam centre or during enrolment. Double-check every field before submitting.

Delaying test centre selection: High-demand centres — particularly in India and Dubai — fill up within hours of registration opening. Logging in a day late can mean your preferred centre is gone.

Submitting university preferences carelessly: University preferences cannot be changed after submission. Research cut-off scores, location, and your personal academic goals carefully before making a final decision.

Failing to pay on time: Registration is only confirmed after payment. A technical glitch or an expired card at the payment stage can leave you unregistered even if you completed all other steps.

Final Thoughts

The IMAT is not merely an exam — it is a process. From creating a Universitaly account and completing pre-enrollment to choosing your test centre, submitting university preferences, paying the fee, and finally sitting the paper, every step requires attention and timeliness. The rewards, however, are substantial: a place in an internationally recognised medical programme, delivered in English, at a publicly funded Italian university with tuition fees a fraction of those charged elsewhere in Europe.

For IMAT 2026, the window of opportunity is narrowing. Pre-enrollment deadlines at some universities may already be approaching. The official Bando is expected in August. Registration will open in late August and close within roughly two weeks. There is no room for complacency.

Monitor universitaly.it regularly, follow trusted IMAT preparation communities, begin your science revision now, and make sure every administrative requirement is met well ahead of deadline. For the many thousands of students who will sit this exam in September 2026, thorough preparation and administrative diligence are what separate those who secure a seat from those who must wait another year.

For More Information

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