IMAT 2026: Structure, Subjects and Official Syllabus

Anyone preparing for the IMAT admission test, the International Medical Admission Test, quickly runs into very practical questions. What exactly needs to be studied, how many questions are included, how the exam is structured, which subjects carry the most weight, what type of questions appear, and how scoring really works.
This article addresses all of these points one by one, in a clear and organized way, connecting what students are expected to do during preparation with what is officially required by the documents governing the exam.

The information presented here reflects the most recent official framework currently available. As of today, no specific ministerial decree has yet been published for the 2026 edition. For this reason, the complete and binding reference remains the structure defined for 2025, which continues to apply until any official changes are released.

What needs to be studied for the IMAT

Preparing for the IMAT means studying six clearly defined areas, all assessed in English. The test does not evaluate memorization alone, but the ability to understand, reason, and apply knowledge under time pressure. This distinction is essential.

The first area covers reading skills and acquired knowledge. This section focuses on the comprehension of written English texts of different types, including scientific passages, narrative excerpts, and current affairs articles. Students are required to understand complex vocabulary, abstract concepts, textual coherence, and implicit information. Alongside reading comprehension, this area assesses general knowledge, including historical, institutional, legal, and socio-economic topics within a broad international context.

The logical reasoning and problem-solving section evaluates the ability to reach correct conclusions starting from given premises, expressed verbally or symbolically. The situations presented may be abstract or concrete, and success depends on structured reasoning rather than prior subject knowledge.

The remaining four sections are scientific: biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Biology carries the greatest weight and spans from molecular biology to human physiology. Chemistry requires a solid foundation in general and organic chemistry. Physics and mathematics assess high school level knowledge, applied through practical and often interdisciplinary problems.

Effective preparation requires constant awareness of what is officially included in the syllabus and what is not. On TestBuddy, this clarity is central: every exercise and simulation is aligned with the official scope, allowing students to focus only on what truly matters.

Number of questions and section distribution

The IMAT consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, each with 5 answer options, only one of which is correct.
The distribution across sections is fixed.

There are 4 questions on reading skills and acquired knowledge.
5 questions assess logical reasoning and problem-solving.
23 questions are dedicated to biology.
15 questions cover chemistry.
13 questions assess physics and mathematics together.

This means that more than 60% of the exam focuses on biology and chemistry. These sections largely determine the final score, which is why preparation must be strategic and data-driven. Using a simulator like TestBuddy helps verify whether study time and effort are aligned with the real weight of each subject.

Exam duration, structure and exam room rules

The IMAT is a single national exam, identical across all Italian and authorized international test centers.
Candidates are given 100 minutes to complete the test, with no breaks.

In Italy, the exam starts at 11:00 AM, with time adjustments for international locations. Identification procedures, test distribution, and answer sheet handling follow strict rules.

Communication with other candidates is forbidden, as is the use of mobile phones, electronic devices, notes, or reference materials. Only the materials provided at the test center may be used. Answers must be marked according to precise instructions, as formal errors can lead to test invalidation.

Practicing with realistic simulations is crucial, not only for content mastery but also for managing time, focus, and exam stress. This is why TestBuddy simulations are designed to mirror the official exam experience as closely as possible.

Subjects and weight of each section

Each subject contributes to the final score proportionally to the number of questions assigned to it.

Biology has the highest impact, followed by chemistry. Physics and mathematics together form a substantial portion, while logic and reading comprehension, although numerically smaller, often become decisive in close rankings.

The maximum achievable score is 90 points. Each correct answer is worth 1.5 points, meaning sections with more questions directly influence final results. Preparing without tracking performance objectively often leads to wasted effort. Knowing exactly where points are being lost changes the entire preparation strategy.

Official 2025 syllabus: from macro areas to detailed topics

The official syllabus is extensive and detailed.

In biology, topics range from biomolecules and enzymes to cell structure, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, viruses, membranes, and the cell cycle. Genetics includes Mendelian and molecular genetics, DNA structure and function, gene expression, human genetics, evolution, natural selection, biotechnology, human anatomy and physiology, organ systems, metabolism, and cellular bioenergetics.

In chemistry, the syllabus includes matter and its states, atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, solutions, chemical equilibrium, kinetics, redox reactions, acids and bases, and the foundations of organic chemistry with functional groups.

Mathematics covers algebra, equations and inequalities, functions, plane and analytic geometry, trigonometry, probability, statistics, and graphical interpretation.

Physics includes physical quantities and units, kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, and electromagnetism.

Faced with such a wide program, organization becomes essential. On TestBuddy, the syllabus is broken down into structured learning paths that make progress visible and measurable.

Question types

All questions are multiple-choice and written in English.
Some questions are based on written passages, others on numerical problems or abstract logical scenarios. There are no standalone sections labeled “graphs” or “data,” but graphical interpretation may appear within mathematics, physics, or reading comprehension questions.

Studying theory alone is not enough. Familiarity with question format, language, and reasoning style is essential. This is precisely where an intelligent simulator reduces anxiety and builds confidence.

Scoring system and penalties

The scoring rules are straightforward and must be clearly understood.

Each correct answer is worth 1.5 points.
Each incorrect answer results in a -0.4 point penalty.
Unanswered questions score 0 points.

The maximum score is 90 points.
For European Union candidates, a minimum eligibility threshold of 20 points applies. In case of tied scores, priority is given based on performance in biology, followed by chemistry, physics and mathematics, logical reasoning, and reading skills.

Knowing when to answer and when to leave a question blank is part of the exam strategy. These decisions improve only through practice and detailed error analysis. With TestBuddy, every simulation provides clear feedback on performance trends and weaknesses, allowing steady and informed improvement.

Official references

All information presented is derived from the official institutional documents regulating the IMAT, including the most recent ministerial decree and its annexes published in 2025. The complete official references are available here:
admission call
official syllabus annex