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Free Practice Questions for Semestre Aperto Medicina, Odontoiatria e Veterinaria

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Key Facts: Semestre Aperto Medicina, Odontoiatria e Veterinaria Exam

31 questions

Questions per subject examination (21 MCQs, 10 completion)

MUR Decreto Ministeriale 941/2026

50 minutes

Time limit per examination (150 minutes total)

MUR Decreto Ministeriale 941/2026

18 / 30

Minimum passing score required on each subject test

MUR Decreto Ministeriale 941/2026

+1 / -0.1

Scoring: +1 correct, -0.1 wrong, 0 omitted

MUR Decreto Ministeriale 941/2026

€250

Nationally uniform semester contribution (subject to exemptions)

MUR Decreto Direttoriale 249/2026

10 Dec & 11 Jan

2026/2027 national examination sittings

MUR Decreto Ministeriale 941/2026

3 disciplines

Shared exams: Biologia, Chimica/Biochimica, Fisica

MUR Syllabus 2026/2027

LM-41 / 46 / 42

Shared pathway for Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine

MUR Decreto Ministeriale 941/2026

Italy's reformed medical, dental, and veterinary admissions model replaces the discontinued pre-2025 entry test with an open first semester and three centralized national examinations in Biology, Chemistry/Biochemistry, and Physics. Each test comprises 31 questions in 50 minutes (+1 correct, -0.1 wrong, 0 omitted) with an 18/30 minimum passing grade on all three exams required for national merit ranking.

Sample Semestre Aperto Medicina, Odontoiatria e Veterinaria Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Semestre Aperto Medicina, Odontoiatria e Veterinaria exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to the fluid mosaic model of biological membranes, what role does cholesterol play in modulating the physical state of the animal eukaryotic plasma membrane?
A.It acts as a bidirectional fluidity buffer, restraining phospholipid movement at high temperatures and preventing fatty acid chain crystallization at low temperatures
B.It polymerizes into rigid transmembrane channels that allow the passive diffusion of glucose and amino acids
C.It binds covalently to the polar head groups of phosphatidylcholine to completely abolish lateral diffusion of membrane proteins
D.It acts exclusively as an energy storage molecule that undergoes beta-oxidation within the membrane bilayer
Explanation: Cholesterol is an amphipathic sterol intercalated between phospholipids in animal cell membranes. At high physiological temperatures, its rigid steroid ring system restricts excessive movement of hydrocarbon tails, decreasing fluidity and permeability; at low temperatures, it disrupts tight packing of saturated fatty acyl chains, preventing membrane crystallization.
2In the intestinal epithelium, D-glucose is absorbed from the intestinal lumen into the enterocyte against its concentration gradient by the SGLT1 transporter. Which thermodynamic mechanism drives this transport process?
A.Direct coupling to the catalytic hydrolysis of ATP by the SGLT1 protein itself
B.Secondary active symport powered by the downhill electrochemical gradient of sodium ions established by the basolateral Na+/K+ ATPase
C.Passive facilitated diffusion driven entirely by the high intraluminal osmotic pressure of dietary disaccharides
D.Antiport exchange driven by the simultaneous export of potassium ions into the intestinal brush border
Explanation: SGLT1 is a secondary active symporter that couples the energetically unfavorable movement of D-glucose against its chemical gradient to the favorable movement of 2 Na+ ions down their electrochemical gradient. The steep inward sodium gradient is continuously maintained by the primary active basolateral Na+/K+ ATPase pump.
3Which cellular compartment is specifically responsible for the initial synthesis of polypeptide chains destined for lysosomal delivery, membrane insertion, or extracellular secretion?
A.Free polyribosomes suspended in the nucleoplasm
B.Ribosomes bound to the cytosolic surface of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
C.The inner mitochondrial membrane respiratory complexes
D.The cisternal lumen of the trans-Golgi network
Explanation: Secretory proteins, lysosomal enzymes, and integral membrane proteins possess an N-terminal hydrophobic signal peptide. This peptide is recognized by the Signal Recognition Particle (SRP), which directs the translating ribosome to the translocon on the membrane of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (reticolo endoplasmatico rugoso) for co-translational translocation.
4During mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, what is the immediate biochemical fate of molecular oxygen (O2) at the end of the electron transport chain?
A.It is phosphorylated by ATP synthase to regenerate ADP and inorganic phosphate
B.It receives 4 electrons and 4 protons at Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) to form 2 molecules of water (H2O)
C.It is converted into carbon dioxide (CO2) by the decarboxylation of citric acid cycle intermediates
D.It oxidizes ubiquinone (coenzyme Q) directly to ubiquinol within Complex I
Explanation: Molecular oxygen serves as the terminal electron acceptor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) transfers 4 electrons derived from cytochrome c and 4 matrix protons to each O2 molecule, reducing it completely to 2 H2O molecules without releasing damaging reactive oxygen intermediates.
5Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) catalyzes the committed step of glycolysis. Which of the following combinations of allosteric modulators correctly describes its physiological regulation in human hepatocytes?
A.Inhibited by high levels of ATP and citrate; potently activated by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and AMP
B.Activated by high levels of ATP and phosphoenolpyruvate; inhibited by AMP and glucose 6-phosphate
C.Inhibited by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and ADP; activated by glucagon and acetyl-CoA
D.Insensitive to allosteric effectors and regulated solely through irreversible proteolytic cleavage
Explanation: PFK-1 is the primary regulatory enzyme of glycolysis. High concentrations of ATP (an energy-rich signal) and cytosolic citrate (a citric acid cycle intermediate indicating biosynthetic precursor saturation) allosterically inhibit PFK-1. Conversely, AMP (a low-energy signal) and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (produced downstream of insulin signaling via PFK-2) potently relieve ATP inhibition and stimulate glycolytic flux.
6Succinate dehydrogenase is unique among the enzymes of the citric acid (Krebs) cycle because of which biochemical and structural characteristic?
A.It operates exclusively in the cytosol to produce NADPH for fatty acid synthesis
B.It is an integral membrane protein embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane, functioning directly as Complex II of the electron transport chain
C.It requires biotin as an essential prosthetic group to catalyze an irreversible oxidative decarboxylation
D.It produces GTP via substrate-level phosphorylation without transferring reducing equivalents
Explanation: Succinate dehydrogenase catalyzes the oxidation of succinate to fumarate using enzyme-bound FAD. Unlike all other Krebs cycle enzymes that reside dissolved in the mitochondrial matrix, succinate dehydrogenase is an integral inner mitochondrial membrane protein that serves dual identity as Complex II of the respiratory chain, transferring electrons from FADH2 to coenzyme Q.
7During the mammalian cell cycle, passage through the restriction point in late G1 phase requires the inactivation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). By which biochemical mechanism is this achieved?
A.Hyperphosphorylation of pRb by Cyclin D-CDK4/6 and Cyclin E-CDK2 complexes, causing the dissociation and activation of E2F transcription factors
B.Ubiquitin-mediated degradation of pRb induced by high concentrations of p53
C.Dephosphorylation of pRb by calcineurin, enabling pRb to bind directly to RNA polymerase II
D.Proteolytic cleavage of pRb by caspase-3, which releases DNA polymerase alpha into the replication bubble
Explanation: In unphosphorylated or hypophosphorylated form during early G1, pRb sequesters E2F transcription factors and recruits histone deacetylases to silence S-phase genes. Mitogenic signaling activates Cyclin D-CDK4/6 and Cyclin E-CDK2, which progressively hyperphosphorylate pRb. This induces a conformational change that releases E2F, driving the transcription of genes required for DNA replication and entry into S phase.
8In human meiosis, during which specific substage of prophase I does genetic recombination (crossing over) take place through the exchange of non-sister chromatid segments?
A.Leptotene
B.Zygotene
C.Pachytene
D.Diakinesis
Explanation: Prophase I of meiosis progresses through five substages: leptotene (chromatin condensation), zygotene (synapsis begins with the formation of the synaptonemal complex), pachytene (homologous chromosomes are fully synapsed into bivalents/tetrads and crossing over takes place), diplotene (desynapsis occurs, revealing chiasmata), and diakinesis (chromosomes achieve maximum condensation before nuclear envelope breakdown).
9Cytokinesis in animal cells divides the cytoplasm following karyokinesis. What is the structural basis of the contractile ring that pinches the cell into two daughter cells?
A.A bundle of tubulin microtubules radiating outward from the centrosomes
B.An actomyosin ring composed of filamentous actin (F-actin) and non-muscle myosin II motors
C.A rigid sheet of lamin intermediate filaments derived from the nuclear envelope
D.A cell plate constructed from vesicles fusing Golgi-derived pectin polymers
Explanation: In animal cells, cytokinesis is driven by an equatorial contractile ring positioned just beneath the plasma membrane. It consists of antiparallel actin filaments crosslinked and pulled by bipolar non-muscle myosin II motor proteins, generating sliding forces that draw the cleavage furrow inward until membrane abscission occurs.
10During eukaryotic nuclear DNA replication, how does the replication machinery synthesize the lagging strand despite the unidirectional catalytic activity of DNA polymerases?
A.It synthesizes DNA continuously in the 3' to 5' direction without requiring primers
B.It synthesizes short discontinuous Okazaki fragments in the 5' to 3' direction, each initiated by an RNA-DNA primer
C.It rotates the parental duplex so that both strands run in the identical 5' to 3' parallel orientation
D.It transcribes the lagging strand into single-stranded mRNA which is then reverse-transcribed into genomic DNA
Explanation: Because DNA polymerases can only add deoxyribonucleotides to an existing 3'-hydroxyl group (synthesizing strictly in the 5' to 3' direction) and the DNA duplex is antiparallel, the lagging strand is replicated discontinuously away from the advancing replication fork. Primase (Pol alpha-primase complex) lays down short RNA/DNA primers, followed by elongation by DNA polymerase delta into Okazaki fragments, which are subsequently joined by DNA ligase.

About the Semestre Aperto Medicina, Odontoiatria e Veterinaria Exam

Established by MUR Decree No. 941 of 10 July 2026 and Directorial Decree No. 249 of 13 July 2026, the Semestre Aperto is the reformed national pathway governing admission to single-cycle master's degrees in Medicina e Chirurgia (LM-41), Odontoiatria e Protesi Dentaria (LM-46), and Medicina Veterinaria (LM-42). Under this system, all registered candidates complete a shared first semester at Italian public universities and sit for nationally identical, centralized examinations in three core subjects: Biologia, Chimica e propedeutica biochimica, and Fisica. Each subject examination consists of 31 questions (21 five-option multiple-choice questions and 10 completion items) administered in 50 minutes, scored at +1 for a correct answer, -0.1 for an incorrect answer, and 0 for omitted questions. Candidates must obtain a passing grade of at least 18/30 on each examination to be eligible for the national merit ranking. The official 2026/2027 examination dates are 10 December 2026 (first sitting) and 11 January 2027 (second sitting). Independent Semestre Aperto practice by OpenExamPrep provides a 100-question English MCQ study adaptation using the published MUR 2026/2027 subject syllabi for topic selection. English four-option MCQs cannot simulate the completion items or official Italian delivery.

Exam sponsor: MUR — Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca / CINECA. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The official national assessment replaces the discontinued pre-2025 admission test with a shared open first semester (Semestre aperto) for Medicina e Chirurgia, Odontoiatria e Protesi Dentaria, and Medicina Veterinaria. Candidates sit for three nationally standardized, computer-based examinations in Biologia, Chimica e propedeutica biochimica, and Fisica. Each exam consists of 31 questions: 21 five-option multiple-choice questions and 10 completion items, completed in 50 minutes. Scoring applies +1 point for each correct answer, -0.1 point penalty for incorrect answers, and 0 points for omitted answers. A minimum passing score of 18/30 on each of the three subject examinations is required to enter the national merit ranking.

Time Limit

50 minutes per exam (150 minutes total)

Passing Score

18/30 on each examination test

Exam / Certification Fees

€250 nationally uniform semester contribution subject to exemptions

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

33.3%

Biologia (Biology)

Cell structure and membrane transport, cell cycle and division (mitosis/meiosis), bioenergetics and metabolism, molecular genetics (replication, transcription, translation, regulation), Mendelian genetics and pedigrees, histology, and systemic human/animal physiology.

33.3%

Chimica e propedeutica biochimica (Chemistry & Preparatory Biochemistry)

Atomic orbitals, periodic trends, ionic and covalent bonding, stoichiometry, chemical equilibrium, aqueous solutions and colligative properties, acid-base equilibria, buffer solutions, electrochemistry and redox, organic functional groups, reaction mechanisms, and structure/function of biological macromolecules.

33.3%

Fisica (Medical & Applied Physics)

SI units, vector algebra, kinematics and dynamics, work, kinetic and potential energy, fluid statics (Stevin, Pascal, Archimedes), fluid dynamics (continuity equation, Bernoulli, Poiseuille), ideal gas laws and thermodynamics, electrostatics and electric circuits, geometrical/wave optics, and ionizing radiation.

Preparing for the Semestre Aperto Medicina, Odontoiatria e Veterinaria Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 18/30 on each examination test
  • Assessment: The official national assessment replaces the discontinued pre-2025 admission test with a shared open first semester (Semestre aperto) for Medicina e Chirurgia, Odontoiatria e Protesi Dentaria, and Medicina Veterinaria. Candidates sit for three nationally standardized, computer-based examinations in Biologia, Chimica e propedeutica biochimica, and Fisica. Each exam consists of 31 questions: 21 five-option multiple-choice questions and 10 completion items, completed in 50 minutes. Scoring applies +1 point for each correct answer, -0.1 point penalty for incorrect answers, and 0 points for omitted answers. A minimum passing score of 18/30 on each of the three subject examinations is required to enter the national merit ranking.
  • Time limit: 50 minutes per exam (150 minutes total)
  • Exam / certification fees: €250 nationally uniform semester contribution subject to exemptions Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Semestre Aperto Medicina, Odontoiatria e Veterinaria: Suggested Study Strategy

1The three examinations carry equal weight in the national admission ranking—do not neglect physics in favor of biology or chemistry, as an 18/30 minimum passing grade is strictly mandatory across all three tests.
2With a penalty of -0.1 points per wrong answer, educated guessing is mathematically favorable if you can eliminate at least one distractor, but completely random guesses should be avoided if time permits deliberate evaluation.
3At 50 minutes for 31 questions, you have roughly 96 seconds per item. Pace yourself carefully, tackling definitional and conceptual biology questions quickly to reserve time for multi-step stoichiometric calculations and physics problems.
4Focus intensely on propaedeutic biochemistry—biomolecule functional groups, carbohydrate and lipid structures, enzyme kinetics, and metabolic pathways are foundational for the chemistry examination.
5In physics, prioritize fluid mechanics (hydrostatics, hemodynamics, Bernoulli, and Poiseuille flow) and thermodynamics, which are heavily emphasized given their direct clinical applications to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Semestre Aperto and how does it replace the former admission test?

Introduced for the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 academic years by MUR, the Semestre Aperto replaces the discontinued pre-2025 single-day national admission test (and the short-lived TOLC-MED). Students enroll openly in the first semester at university, take shared coursework in Biologia, Chimica e propedeutica biochimica, and Fisica, and then take nationally centralized computer-based exams to earn places via a nationwide merit ranking.

Which university degree programs share this examination system?

A single shared pathway and examination curriculum applies to three single-cycle master's degrees across all Italian public universities: Medicina e Chirurgia (LM-41), Odontoiatria e Protesi Dentaria (LM-46), and Medicina Veterinaria (LM-42). Therefore, candidates for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine take the exact same three subject tests.

What is the format, timing, and scoring system of each subject examination?

Each of the three subject examinations (Biologia, Chimica e propedeutica biochimica, Fisica) contains 31 questions (21 five-option multiple-choice questions and 10 completion items) to be completed in 50 minutes. Questions are scored as +1 point for each correct answer, -0.1 point penalty for incorrect answers, and 0 points for omitted answers. Candidates must achieve a passing mark of at least 18/30 on each test.

What are the examination dates and semester registration fees for 2026/2027?

Under MUR Ministerial Decree No. 941/2026 and Directorial Decree No. 249/2026, the nationally uniform semester contribution is €250 (subject to standard university fee exemptions based on ISEE). The two national examination sittings for the 2026/2027 academic year are scheduled for 10 December 2026 and 11 January 2027.

Are these OpenExamPrep practice questions official test materials?

No. Independent Semestre Aperto practice by OpenExamPrep provides a 100-question English MCQ study adaptation using the published MUR 2026/2027 subject syllabi for topic selection. English four-option MCQs cannot simulate the completion items or official Italian delivery; this is an independent educational review tool.