What Is IMAT?

IMAT -International Medical Admissions Test - is what you need, to study in an Italian Medical School. It contains 4 parts;

• Logical reasoning and General Knowledge

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Mathematics and Physics

add up to 60 questions. You get 1.5 points for a right answer and -0.4 points for wrong answer. Physics and Maths section is relatively easy and biology is little more detailed. Most people got nervous about the general knowledge section including myself however it wasn't so bad after all. You have 100 minutes to answer questions and transfer it to your answer sheet.

Test format is little different than usual. After everyone get seated, you get a white envelope with; personal data sheet, answer sheet, question booklet and university cover sheet. You need to check if the numbers on your cover sheet, question booklet and answer sheet are matching. Then you fill your personal data sheet. Oh and most of us used to fill the box for our answer but this time you should put a cross on your answer and if you change your mind fill the box and put a cross on your new answer. You can not use a pencil and eraser, although some people says that their centre didn't mind. I would try to take a pencil with me but not be persistent to use it. You cannot leave the room even if you finished early. One person go to the front desk at a time, get to matching two barcode stickers put one on your data sheet and one on your answer sheet. DO NOT FORGET TO MEMORİZE FİNAL 4 NUMBERS ON YOUR BARCODE. This way after 2 weeks, when they announce anonymous rankings by barcode numbers, you get to know it! After a month you will know if you will go to your first choice university.

Where And When To Register For The Exam?

You can register on universitaly website, it opens around mid July. I recommend you to check the website regularly because some test centres like Istanbul fills up really quickly, that means you might end up travelling to another country to take the exam. If you have to take the exam outside somewhere requiring visa try to get it as soon as possible. Some people didn't get a visa, it was too late for to change their centre so they didn't get the IMAT.

EU or Non-EU: That Is The Question

English teaching universities in Italy has 2 different quotas; one for eu residences and other for non-eu. Let's see some of them.

University of Milan: 34 eu and 16 non-eu

La Sapienza: 38 eu and 10 non-eu

Bologna: 75 eu and 15 non-eu

Pavia: 70 eu and 40 non-eu

If you are from EU you list your choices and you place in the one you have enough score for. You get ranked with other eu citizens. You will get many rounds of chances to change your university. First round eu score is higher than non-eu however on the last rounds eu score drops.

If you are from outside of EU you still get to list your choices but in reality you only get a chance on your first choice university unless another universities non-eu positions filled. You also must make a pre-enrolment to an Italian embassy in your home country.

Coming next: Why Do I Want To Study In Italy?..

IMAT Studying Tips And My Biology Review Notes