International Student’s Guide to IMAT Exam

What is IMAT?

IMAT stands for International Medical Admissions Test. It is an aptitude test used as part of the admissions process for some Italian universities that offer undergraduate courses in medicine, surgery, and dentistry. These courses are taught in English and are open to both home and international students. The IMAT was first introduced in 2011 by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR) in collaboration with Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing. The test aims to assess the skills and knowledge of prospective medical students from different educational backgrounds and cultures and to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. The IMAT is used by 16 public Italian universities that offer English-taught MD degrees.

The IMAT is a challenging and competitive exam that requires a good level of preparation and practice. The test assesses not only the factual knowledge of the candidates, but also their critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills. It is a unique opportunity for students who wish to pursue a medical career in Italy or abroad. By taking the IMAT, they can apply to some of the best and most prestigious universities in Italy, and benefit from their high-quality education, research, and facilities. This article aims to familiarize potential candidates with the format, scoring, application process, and deadlines for the IMAT exam. 

Overview of IMAT

IMAT: Pattern and Scoring 

The IMAT consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, each with five possible answers, but only one correct option. The questions are divided into four sections: Logical Reasoning and General Knowledge (22 questions), Biology (18 questions), Chemistry (12 questions), and Physics and Mathematics (8 questions). The total duration of the test is 100 minutes, which means that candidates have an average of 1.67 minutes per question. 

The IMAT score is calculated based on the number of correct answers, wrong answers, and unanswered questions. Candidates receive 1.5 points for each correct answer, lose 0.4 points for each incorrect answer, and receive no points for unanswered questions. The maximum possible score is 90, but it is rare for anyone to achieve this score. The average score on the IMAT exam is around 30 points, which is not sufficient to enroll in any Italian university. The minimum passing score varies depending on the university and the year, and it is determined by the ranking of the candidates.

Your score is then compared to the scores of all the other candidates who took the IMAT in the same year as you. The highest score achieved is considered the maximum score, and all other scores are expressed as a percentage of the maximum score. This is called your normalized score. Your normalized score is used to rank you among all the candidates who applied to the same university as you. Each university has a limited number of seats available for both EU and non-EU candidates. The number of seats varies depending on the university and the year. The admission process is divided into several rounds, usually starting from mid-October and ending in late December. In each round, the university offers admission to candidates with the highest position in the ranking, until all the seats are filled.

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IMAT: Eligibility 

The eligibility criteria for the IMAT exam for international students are as follows:

• You should have completed high school or equivalent from a recognized board with at least 60% marks.
• You should have been born on or after August 01, 19992.
• You should have a valid passport and visa for studying in Italy.
• You should have a good command of the English language, as proven by a minimum score of 6.0 in IELTS or equivalent in TOEFL.
• You should have a letter of recommendation and a reference letter from your teacher or academic supervisor.
• In addition to these criteria, you also need to follow the pre-enrollment and registration process for the IMAT exam, which involves submitting your documents, choosing your preferred universities, and paying the exam fee.

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IMAT: Application Process 

Step 1: Prepare your documents. You need to obtain a Declaration of Value (DV), which is a document that confirms that your high school diploma is valid and compatible with studying in a medical school in Italy. You also need to have a valid passport, a passport-sized photo, and proof of payment of the IMAT fee.

Step 2: Register for the IMAT exam. You need to create an account on the Universitaly website and fill in the online application form. You need to choose your preferred test center and up to six universities that offer the IMAT exam. You also need to pay the IMAT fee.

Step 3: Take the IMAT exam. You need to bring your passport, your DV, and your IMAT confirmation email to the test center on the exam day. You must answer 60 questions in 100 minutes, covering logical reasoning, general knowledge, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The IMAT score is calculated based on the number of correct, incorrect, and blank answers.

Step 4: Enroll and apply for a visa. After the IMAT results are published, you need to check if you are admitted to one of your chosen universities. If you are, you need to complete the online enrollment procedure on the Universitaly website and submit the required documents to the university. You also need to apply for a student visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country and provide the necessary documents, such as your admission letter, your DV, your passport, and your proof of financial means.

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Documents Required 

If you are a non-EU citizen, you need to pre-enroll between April and June 2023 at the Italian embassy in your country. You also need to obtain the Declaration of Value, as well as the following documents:

• Form A: This form requires you to provide personal information, educational background information, and other relevant details. It can be submitted online.
• A high school diploma: You need to provide a certified copy of your high school diploma, translated into Italian and legalized by the Italian embassy or consulate.
• A passport or ID card: You need to provide a valid passport or ID card that shows your details and citizenship.
• A payment receipt: You need to provide proof of payment for the IMAT exam fee.
• A confirmation email: You need to provide a confirmation email that you received when you registered for the IMAT exam online.

You will need to provide the following documents for enrollment and visa application: 

• A certificate of admission: This document, issued by the university, confirms that you have been accepted to the program and that you have paid the tuition fee.  
• Health insurance: You need to provide proof of health insurance that covers you for the duration of your studies in Italy. 
• A fiscal code: You need to obtain a fiscal code, which is a unique identification number for tax purposes in Italy. 
• A residence permit: You need to apply for a residence permit within eight days of your arrival in Italy. You will need to fill out an application form and provide your passport, visa, admission certificate, health insurance, and fiscal code

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Application Deadlines and Fees

The IMAT 2024 exam date is not yet announced, but it is expected to be in September 2024, based on previous years. The registration for IMAT 2024 should open in July 2024 and close in August 2024. Depending on your citizenship, you may need to follow different steps and deadlines to apply for the IMAT exam and enroll in your chosen university. Here is a detailed overview of the IMAT application deadlines and fees for 2024:

Pre-enrollment: This step is only for non-EU citizens who need to pre-enroll at the Italian embassy in their country between April and June 2024. 

Exam dates: The IMAT exam is expected to take place in September 2024, on a date that will be announced by the Ministry of Education. The exam will be held in various test centers around the world, and you will need to bring your ID document, payment receipt, confirmation email, and IMAT candidate number to the test center. 

The IMAT registration fee for 2024 has yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to be around 164 EUR, which is the same as the previous year. The fee can be paid online by credit card or bank transfer. The fee is non-refundable unless the IMAT exam is canceled or postponed by the Ministry of Education.

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List of Universities That Accept IMAT

IMAT is used for admission to medical and dentistry courses in English at some Italian universities. Some of the universities that accept IMAT scores are:

• La Sapienza University of Rome
• University of Milan
• University of Pavia
• University of Bologna
• University of Padua
• University of Rome Tor Vergata
• University of Turin
• University of Milan-Bicocca
• University of Naples Federico II
• University of Parma
• University of Messina
• University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
• University of Bari
• Polytechnic University of Marche
• University of Siena
• University of Siena

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Conclusion 

In conclusion, the IMAT is a highly competitive exam that requires thorough research and preparation. The IMAT tests not only your knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, but also your reading skills, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities. To succeed in this exam, you need to familiarize yourself with the format, content, and scoring system of the IMAT, as well as practice with past papers and mock tests. However, the IMAT is only one aspect of the admission process to the English-taught medical programs in Italy and other countries. You also need to consider other factors, such as the application deadlines, the tuition fees, the language requirements, the curriculum, and the reputation of the universities. You should also seek guidance from reliable sources. By doing so, you will be able to make an informed decision about your future studies and career in medicine. For more information and assistance regarding medical admissions in Italy, contact our admission experts at Gyanberry. Book your free video call appointment now!