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Key Facts: IMAT Exam

60 questions

Questions on the official IMAT

MUR Decreto Ministeriale n. 1005

100 minutes

Total official examination time

MUR / Universitaly

23 of 60

Biology questions (38.3% of test)

MUR IMAT Content Outline

15 of 60

Chemistry questions (25.0% of test)

MUR IMAT Content Outline

13 of 60

Physics and Mathematics questions

MUR IMAT Content Outline

+1.5 / -0.4

Scoring: +1.5 correct, -0.4 incorrect, 0 blank

MUR Decreto Ministeriale n. 1005

20 points

Statutory minimum score to enter national ranking

MUR / Universitaly

29 Sep 2026

Official 2026 examination date

MUR Decreto Ministeriale n. 1005

The 2026 IMAT is Italy's official 100-minute, 60-question entrance exam for English-taught medicine, dentistry, and veterinary-medicine programs, administered under MUR Decree 1005/2026 with CINECA. It is scheduled for 29 September 2026. Scoring awards +1.5 points for correct answers, 0 for blanks, and -0.4 for wrong answers.

Sample IMAT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the IMAT exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Read the following passage: 'The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens to undo a century of medical progress. While public awareness campaigns often emphasize patient compliance and the overprescription of antibiotics in primary care, agricultural use is also an important driver. In many regions, subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics are routinely administered to livestock not to treat diagnosed infections, but to promote growth and prevent disease in high-density facilities. This practice creates an ideal selective environment for resistant bacterial strains, which can transfer resistance genes across species via horizontal gene transfer before entering the human food chain.' Which of the following statements is most directly supported by the passage?
A.Patient non-compliance in primary care is the single largest contributor to the global rise in antimicrobial resistance.
B.Administering subtherapeutic antibiotic doses to livestock creates selective pressures that facilitate the emergence and transmission of resistant bacteria.
C.Horizontal gene transfer can only occur between bacterial strains of the exact same species within livestock populations.
D.High-density agricultural facilities have successfully eliminated bacterial infections by using preventative antibiotic regimens.
Explanation: The passage explicitly states that administering subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics to livestock to promote growth and prevent disease creates an 'ideal selective environment for resistant bacterial strains', which can subsequently transfer resistance genes across species and enter the human food chain.
2Read the following passage: 'Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation, alter gene expression without changing the underlying nucleotide sequence. For decades, the central dogma of molecular biology was interpreted as a deterministic blueprint where phenotypic outcomes were strictly dictated by inherited alleles. However, epidemiological studies of populations exposed to severe famine—such as the Dutch Hunger Winter of 1944–1945—demonstrated that prenatal nutritional deprivation led to persistent metabolic alterations in offspring, including elevated rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease in adult life, mediated by differential methylation of the IGF2 gene.' What is the primary function of the reference to the Dutch Hunger Winter in the passage?
A.To refute the existence of inherited alleles and disprove Mendelian genetics entirely.
B.To demonstrate that environmental insults during gestation can induce lasting phenotypic changes through epigenetic mechanisms.
C.To argue that prenatal famine increases life expectancy by reducing adult caloric requirements.
D.To prove that DNA methylation causes permanent, irreversible mutations in nucleotide sequences.
Explanation: The reference to the Dutch Hunger Winter serves as empirical evidence showing that environmental factors (prenatal nutritional deprivation) can cause persistent metabolic alterations in offspring via epigenetic changes (differential methylation of IGF2) without changing the DNA sequence.
3Which of the following twentieth-century international declarations first established the fundamental ethical principle that the voluntary, informed consent of the human subject is absolutely essential in medical experimentation?
A.The Nuremberg Code (1947)
B.The Declaration of Helsinki (1964)
C.The Belmont Report (1979)
D.The Universal Declaration of Bioethics and Human Rights (2005)
Explanation: The Nuremberg Code of 1947, formulated in the aftermath of the Doctors' Trial at Nuremberg, was the landmark international document whose very first directive stated that 'the voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential' in biomedical research.
4Read the following excerpt: 'In bioethics, the principle of non-maleficence requires clinicians to avoid inflicting unnecessary harm on patients. Yet in oncology, systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy intentionally damages healthy, rapidly proliferating cells—including hematopoietic progenitors and mucosal epithelium—to arrest tumor growth. This clinical reality does not breach non-maleficence because the intended therapeutic benefit outweighs the predictable, unavoidable toxicities, provided the patient has given informed consent.' According to the author, why does administering cytotoxic chemotherapy not violate non-maleficence?
A.Cytotoxic chemotherapy selectively targets malignant cells without affecting normal host tissues.
B.The anticipated clinical benefit justifies the foreseeable toxicities when weighed in clinical judgment and accepted via informed consent.
C.Non-maleficence only applies to non-life-threatening medical conditions.
D.Chemotherapeutic protocols eliminate all physical side effects within 24 hours of administration.
Explanation: The author explains that the intentional infliction of toxic side effects does not breach non-maleficence because the intended therapeutic benefit outweighs the predictable adverse effects, and the patient has provided informed consent.
5The World Health Organization (WHO), established as a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1948, is headquartered in which city?
A.Geneva, Switzerland
B.Rome, Italy
C.New York City, United States
D.Vienna, Austria
Explanation: The World Health Organization (WHO) is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its constitution came into force on April 7, 1948 (celebrated annually as World Health Day).
6Which Enlightenment philosopher authored 'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding' (1689), arguing that the human mind at birth is a 'tabula rasa' (blank slate) and that all knowledge originates from sensory experience and reflection?
A.John Locke
B.René Descartes
C.Thomas Hobbes
D.Immanuel Kant
Explanation: John Locke is the foundational British empiricist philosopher who authored 'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding', famously positing that the human mind is initially a blank slate (tabula rasa) upon which experience imprints knowledge.
7The concept of 'herd immunity' threshold ($I_c$) in infectious disease epidemiology is mathematically related to the basic reproduction number ($R_0$) by which expression (assuming a fully effective sterilizing vaccine and homogeneous mixing)?
A.$I_c = 1 - \frac{1}{R_0}$
B.$I_c = \frac{1}{R_0}$
C.$I_c = 1 - R_0$
D.$I_c = \frac{R_0}{R_0 + 1}$
Explanation: The critical vaccination or immunity threshold required to halt endemic transmission in a homogeneously mixing population is given by $I_c = 1 - 1/R_0$. When the immune fraction exceeds $1 - 1/R_0$, the effective reproduction number $R_e = R_0(1 - I)$ falls below 1, causing the epidemic to decline.
8Consider the following statement: 'If a patient exhibits classic symptoms of acute appendicitis, an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan must be performed immediately. Patient M does not exhibit classic symptoms of acute appendicitis.' Which of the following conclusions CANNOT be validly deduced from these statements?
A.Patient M must not receive an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan immediately.
B.It is possible that Patient M will receive an abdominal ultrasound for another medical indication.
C.The statement does not preclude Patient M from undergoing diagnostic imaging.
D.Having classic symptoms of acute appendicitis is a sufficient condition for immediate imaging in this protocol.
Explanation: Concluding that 'Patient M must not receive an imaging scan' commits the classic logical fallacy of denying the antecedent (If P then Q; not P; therefore not Q). The premise states that symptoms are sufficient for imaging, but not that they are the only reason imaging can be ordered.
9A hospital pharmacy dispenses three pediatric medications: Syrup A, Tablet B, and Capsule C. - Every patient prescribed Syrup A is also prescribed Tablet B. - No patient prescribed Tablet B is prescribed Capsule C. - Some patients prescribed Inhaler D are also prescribed Capsule C. Which of the following conclusions MUST be true?
A.No patient prescribed Syrup A is prescribed Capsule C.
B.All patients prescribed Inhaler D are prescribed Syrup A.
C.Some patients prescribed Syrup A are prescribed Capsule C.
D.No patient prescribed Inhaler D is prescribed Tablet B.
Explanation: Since all patients on Syrup A are on Tablet B, and no patient on Tablet B can receive Capsule C, it is impossible for any patient on Syrup A to receive Capsule C. Therefore, no patient prescribed Syrup A is prescribed Capsule C.
10Five medical interns—Elena, Fabio, Giulia, Hugo, and Irene—are assigned to night shifts from Monday through Friday, exactly one intern per night. - Elena's shift is earlier in the week than Fabio's. - Giulia's shift is immediately after Hugo's shift. - Irene's shift is on Wednesday. - Fabio's shift is not on Friday. On which day is Hugo assigned his shift?
A.Monday
B.Tuesday
C.Thursday
D.Friday
Explanation: Irene is on Wednesday (Day 3). Hugo and Giulia must occupy two consecutive days (H immediately before G). The available blocks of two consecutive days are Mon-Tue (Days 1-2) or Thu-Fri (Days 4-5). If H and G are on Mon-Tue, then Days 4 and 5 (Thu-Fri) remain for Elena and Fabio. Since Elena is earlier than Fabio, Elena is on Thu and Fabio is on Fri. But the rule explicitly states: 'Fabio's shift is not on Friday'. This creates a contradiction. Therefore, H and G cannot be on Mon-Tue. H and G must be on Thu-Fri (Hugo on Thursday, Giulia on Friday). This leaves Days 1 and 2 (Mon-Tue) for Elena and Fabio: Elena on Monday and Fabio on Tuesday. All conditions are satisfied, so Hugo is assigned to Thursday.

About the IMAT Exam

The International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) is the national competitive admissions examination governed for 2026/27 by Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) Decree 1005/2026 for entry into English-taught single-cycle degree programs in Medicine and Surgery (LM-41), Dentistry (LM-46), and Veterinary Medicine (LM-42). The official paper examination consists of 60 multiple-choice questions with five options, delivered in 100 minutes across biology (23 questions), chemistry (15), physics and mathematics (13), logical reasoning (5), and reading skills and acquired knowledge (4). This bank is independent practice built around the topics in the official MUR programme. Its four-option questions are a study adaptation, not official items or a simulation of the official five-option paper.

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

Assessment

60 multiple-choice questions delivered in a single 100-minute session: 23 biology, 15 chemistry, 13 physics and mathematics, 5 logical reasoning, and 4 reading skills and general knowledge. Scoring: +1.5 correct, -0.4 wrong, 0 unanswered; maximum score 90 points.

Time Limit

100 minutes

Passing Score

+1.5 correct, 0 unanswered, -0.4 wrong (maximum 90 points). The minimum is 20 points for EU candidates and non-EU candidates resident in Italy; candidates resident abroad follow the separate above-zero rule in DM 1005/2026. Admission remains competitive within each quota.

Exam / Certification Fees

Displayed by Universitaly during registration; DM 1005/2026 does not prescribe a fixed amount

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.

38%

Biology

Cell chemistry, bioenergetics, cellular reproduction, Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics, anatomy and physiology, evolution, and ecology

25%

Chemistry

Constitution of matter, atomic structure, periodic table, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, solutions, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, and organic chemistry

22%

Physics and Mathematics

Mechanics, kinematics, dynamics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, wave optics, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and probability

8%

Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving

Critical thinking, argument analysis, logical deduction, and numerical problem solving

7%

Reading Skills and Acquired Knowledge

Comprehension of complex passages, vocabulary in context, and general cultural and historical knowledge

Preparing for the IMAT Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: +1.5 correct, 0 unanswered, -0.4 wrong (maximum 90 points). The minimum is 20 points for EU candidates and non-EU candidates resident in Italy; candidates resident abroad follow the separate above-zero rule in DM 1005/2026. Admission remains competitive within each quota.
  • Assessment: 60 multiple-choice questions delivered in a single 100-minute session: 23 biology, 15 chemistry, 13 physics and mathematics, 5 logical reasoning, and 4 reading skills and general knowledge. Scoring: +1.5 correct, -0.4 wrong, 0 unanswered; maximum score 90 points.
  • Time limit: 100 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: Displayed by Universitaly during registration; DM 1005/2026 does not prescribe a fixed amount Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

IMAT: Suggested Study Strategy

1Biology and Chemistry account for 63% of the total test (38 of 60 questions) — focus heavily on molecular genetics, cellular respiration, organic chemistry, and stoichiometry.
2With a -0.4 point penalty for incorrect answers versus +1.5 points for correct ones, avoid blind guessing; guess only when you can eliminate at least two incorrect options.
3Manage your pacing: 100 minutes for 60 questions gives you 100 seconds per question, so solve straightforward biology questions rapidly to save time for multi-step physics and chemistry problems.
4Master mental calculations and unit conversions for physics and chemistry, as calculators are strictly prohibited during the official examination.
5Practice deductive logic and passage analysis systematically to secure high accuracy on the reading comprehension and logical reasoning sections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IMAT and who administers it?

The IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) is the official entrance examination for English-taught single-cycle degree programs in Medicine and Surgery (LM-41), Dentistry (LM-46), and Veterinary Medicine (LM-42) covered by MUR Decree 1005/2026. MUR governs the examination and CINECA supports its administration and scoring.

How is the IMAT scored and what is the penalty for incorrect answers?

The IMAT contains 60 questions with a maximum possible score of 90 points. Candidates earn +1.5 points for each correct answer, 0 points for unanswered questions, and lose -0.4 points for each incorrect answer.

What subjects and topic areas are tested on the IMAT?

The IMAT tests five areas based on the official ministerial outline: Biology (23 questions), Chemistry (15 questions), Physics and Mathematics (13 questions), Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving (5 questions), and Reading Skills and General Knowledge (4 questions).

What is the minimum score required to be considered for admission?

EU candidates and non-EU candidates resident in Italy must score at least 20 points out of 90 to be eligible for the applicable national ranking. For non-EU candidates resident abroad, DM 1005/2026 instead requires a score above zero for the separate university rankings. In every channel, actual admission remains competitive within the available places.

Are these practice questions an official IMAT test?

No. These four-option questions are an independent study adaptation developed by OpenExamPrep around the published content programme. They are not released or approved by MUR or CINECA and do not reproduce the official five-option paper format.