IMAT 2026 Score: how it works, minimum scores and ranking

When preparing for the IMAT, one of the first things to understand is how the scoring system works. Knowing how many points a correct answer is worth, how much an incorrect answer costs, what the maximum score is, and what score is needed to enter the ranking can make a big difference.

Another key topic is the ranking system. It is important to understand how rankings are created, what happens after results are published, how scrolling rounds work, and whether admission is still possible after the first allocation.

In this guide, we focus exclusively on the IMAT score, minimum scores, cut-offs, ranking, results, and scrolling rounds, using the information currently available for 2026 and, where official 2026 rules have not yet been published, the most recent official framework from 2025.

IMAT 2026: What Is Known So Far

At the moment, the official IMAT 2026 decree has not yet been published.

This means that the following information has not yet been officially confirmed for the 2026/2027 academic year:

• Exam date
• Available places by university
• Results calendar
• Ranking publication dates
• Scrolling round schedule
• Final scoring rules

Until the new decree is released, the latest official IMAT regulations remain the most reliable reference.

How the IMAT Score Is Calculated

Under the most recent official rules, the IMAT scoring system works as follows:

The maximum IMAT score is 90 points.

Since the test consists of 60 questions, each correct answer contributes 1.5 points, leading to a maximum possible score of 90.

The calculation formula is:

Correct answers × 1.5

minus

Incorrect answers × 0.4

Unanswered questions neither add nor subtract points.

IMAT Score Calculation Example

Suppose a candidate achieves:

• 40 correct answers
• 12 incorrect answers
• 8 unanswered questions

The calculation would be:

• 40 × 1.5 = 60 points
• 12 × 0.4 = 4.8 penalty points

Final score:

60 − 4.8 = 55.2 points

This is why IMAT preparation is not only about knowledge. It is also about understanding when answering a question is worth the risk.

Using realistic simulations and performance tracking can help identify scoring patterns and improve decision-making during the exam. With TestBuddy, students can start for free, take full-length simulations, practice by topic, and monitor their progress through the TB Score.

Is There a Minimum IMAT Passing Score?

Yes, but it is important to distinguish between:

• Eligibility score
• Admission score

According to the latest official regulations, candidates from the European Union and equivalent categories must obtain at least 20 points to be considered eligible.

Candidates who score below 20 points are not included in the ranking.

For non-European Union candidates residing abroad and competing for reserved places, the rule is different. The 20-point threshold does not apply. A score greater than 0 points is sufficient to be considered eligible.

Eligibility Does Not Guarantee Admission

Achieving the minimum eligibility score does not automatically mean admission.

Admission depends on several factors:

• Total score achieved
• Number of available places
• Number of candidates
• University preferences submitted
• Ranking position
• Withdrawals
• Scrolling rounds

What students often call the "minimum score for admission" is actually the cut-off score, meaning the score of the last admitted candidate for a specific university.

This score is not determined in advance.

It only becomes known after rankings and scrolling rounds have been completed.

Understanding IMAT Cut-Off Scores

IMAT cut-offs vary every year and differ from one university to another.

They are not fixed thresholds established before the exam.

Instead, they depend on:

• Available places at each university
• Candidate preferences
• Overall performance
• Withdrawals
• Scrolling round movements

For this reason, historical cut-offs can provide useful context, but they should never be interpreted as guaranteed targets for future editions.

IMAT 2026 Available Places

Official IMAT 2026 place allocations have not yet been published.

In 2025, places were divided between:

• European Union and equivalent candidates
• Non-European Union candidates residing abroad

For English-taught Medicine and Surgery, the 2025 allocation included:

• 1,510 places for European Union and equivalent candidates
• 942 places for non-European Union candidates residing abroad
• 2,452 places in total

Participating universities included institutions such as Bologna, Padua, Pavia, Milan, Milan-Bicocca, Rome La Sapienza, Rome Tor Vergata, Turin, Humanitas University, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, and others listed in the official allocation table.

The official 2026 numbers will only be known once the new allocation table is released.

How the IMAT Ranking Works

The IMAT ranking system does not operate as a single list for all candidates.

For European Union and equivalent candidates, there is a national ranking.

For non-European Union candidates residing abroad, rankings are managed directly by the universities offering reserved places.

During registration, candidates must rank universities in order of preference.

The system then considers:

• Test score
• Ranking position
• Available places
• Submitted preferences
• Places freed through withdrawals

Based on these elements, each candidate receives a specific ranking status.

Assigned, Reserved and Waiting Status

Candidates may see different statuses in the ranking.

Assigned means the candidate has obtained a place and must enrol within the required deadline. Failure to enrol results in loss of the place.

Reserved means the candidate has secured a place but may still move to a more preferred university during future scrolling rounds. The candidate can either enrol immediately or wait.

Waiting means no place is currently available, but admission may still occur through later scrolling rounds.

How IMAT Scrolling Rounds Work

Scrolling rounds redistribute places that become available after the initial ranking.

Places can become available when:

• Assigned candidates do not enrol
• Candidates withdraw
• Reserved candidates move to higher preferences
• Enrolment numbers are updated

In 2025, the first scrolling round took place on 20 October 2025.

No official scrolling round dates have yet been announced for 2026.

Confirmation of Interest

Candidates who wish to remain in the ranking during scrolling rounds must comply with official confirmation procedures.

Under the latest regulations, confirmation of interest had to be submitted by 12:00 noon on the fifth day following each scrolling round, excluding Saturdays and public holidays.

Failure to confirm interest resulted in exclusion from future scrolling rounds.

Can You Be Admitted After the First Ranking?

Yes.

Not receiving a place in the first publication does not mean admission is impossible.

A candidate can still be admitted later if:

• They remain in the ranking
• They complete all required confirmations
• Places become available
• Their score becomes sufficient for one of their chosen preferences

Scrolling rounds continue until available places have been filled.

When Are IMAT Results Published?

Official IMAT 2026 dates have not yet been announced.

The latest available timeline was:

These dates should only be used as a reference until the official 2026 calendar is released.

Where to Check Results and Rankings

Candidates typically access official information through:

• Universitaly personal area
• The official IMAT portal
• Official admission procedure communications

The process generally includes:

• Publication of anonymous scores
• Access to individual scores and answer sheets
• Publication of the named ranking
• Scrolling round updates

Regularly checking the personal area is essential because all official updates are delivered through these platforms.

Is There a Single Final Ranking?

There is no single ranking covering all candidate categories.

The latest system includes:

• A national ranking for European Union and equivalent candidates
• Separate university-managed rankings for non-European Union candidates residing abroad

The ranking remains dynamic throughout the admission process and changes as scrolling rounds take place.

What Happens in Case of a Tie?

When candidates obtain the same total score, tie-breaking rules apply.

Under the latest regulations, priority is given according to performance in the following sections:

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Physics and Mathematics
4. Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving
5. Reading Skills and Acquired Knowledge

If a tie still remains, additional criteria may apply, including language certifications declared within the required deadlines, specific protected categories recognised by regulation, and finally age, with preference given to the younger candidate.

What If You Are Not Admitted?

Several situations may occur:

• Insufficient score
• No available places despite eligibility
• Failure to meet procedural deadlines
• Administrative issues

Under the latest regulations, candidates excluded because they failed to confirm their interest could file an appeal within the deadlines established by the official procedure.

Eligibility obtained in one admission cycle does not automatically carry over to future years.

A new attempt therefore requires participation in a new admission process.

For students planning to retake the exam, a structured preparation strategy becomes particularly important. TestBuddy provides simulations, topic-based practice, a digital theory manual, performance statistics, and the TB Score, allowing students to identify weaknesses and measure progress objectively.

Official References Used

The information on scoring rules, minimum eligibility scores, rankings, scrolling rounds, tie-breaking criteria, and the 2025 admissions timeline comes from the official IMAT 2025 ministerial decree.

The information regarding university preferences, ranking statuses, score publication, confirmation of interest procedures, and ranking management comes from the official IMAT 2025 admission procedure annexes.

The information regarding available places and participating universities comes from the official IMAT 2025 seat allocation table.

The information regarding updates to available places comes from the official correction notice for the IMAT allocation tables.

General information on the admission procedure comes from the Accesso Programmato portal.

Information on application management, rankings, and candidate areas comes from Universitaly and the official IMAT portal.