Fazlur Rahman
Quick Answer
IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) is the entrance exam for English-taught medical and dental programs at Italian public universities. The 2026 format: 100 minutes, 60 multiple-choice questions (5 options each) in Biology (18), Chemistry (12), Physics (8), Mathematics (8), General Knowledge (4), and Logical Reasoning (10). Scoring: +1.5 correct, -0.4 wrong, 0 blank. Top universities require 50+ score. Cost EUR 130 single, EUR 200 for two programmes (Cambridge Assessment, September 2026). Last verified: 12 September 2026.
What IMAT is and who it is for
IMAT is developed and administered by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing (CAAT) on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Education (Mur). It is required for non-EU and EU students applying to English-taught MD (6-year) and dentistry (6-year) programs at Italian public universities. The test is held once a year, typically in mid-September, at centres worldwide (including London, Dublin, and several US cities) (CAAT, September 2026). Italian medical schools are a popular choice for international students because tuition is dramatically lower than US/UK medical schools (EUR 1,500-4,000/year for non-EU students vs GBP 40,000+ in the UK), English-medium instruction removes the Italian-language barrier for international students, EU-degree recognition means graduates can practise across the EU (and apply to US/UK via the standard routes), and Italy has a long tradition of medical education (Bologna, Padua, Milan, Pavia all have 500+ year histories). Top English-taught programs (2026): University of Milan, University of Bologna, University of Padua, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Pavia, University of Turin, University of Naples Federico II, University of Messina, University of Bari, University of Parma, University of Catania, Humanitas University (private).
