If you are asking “what is on the IMAT?”, this article gives you a practical checklist. The IMAT is the entrance test for English-taught Medicine in Italy. It is paper-based, in English, and designed by Cambridge Assessment. It has 60 multiple-choice questions with 5 options each, and you get 100 minutes.
Below, we list typical topics for each section at high-school level. Treat them as a study map, not as the official list. The official list is in the annex of the ministerial decree.
What changes year to year (and what to confirm)
The six areas stay the same across the sources we reviewed. What differs is how many questions each section gets. Two sources give different splits:
| Section | Split in one source | Split in another source |
|---|---|---|
| General knowledge / reading | 4 | 12 |
| Logical reasoning | 5 | 10 |
| Biology | 23 | 18 |
| Chemistry | 15 | 12 |
| Maths and physics | 13 | 8 |
Both add up to 60, but they disagree a lot. So do not trust any single table, including this one. The safe move is to open the official annex of the current ministerial decree on the Ministry (MUR) site or Universitaly and read the syllabus yourself. For the 2026/27 cycle, the governing decree was MUR Decree (DM) n. 1005. The 2027 date and registration window have not been announced as of 2 November 2026, and we cannot say yet whether the 2027 syllabus is the same.
What both splits agree on: biology and chemistry together make up the largest share of the test.
IMAT topics by section
1. Biology
These are typical IMAT biology topics at school level:
- Cell structure and function; organelles; membranes and transport
- Cell division: mitosis and meiosis
- DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, gene expression
- Genetics: inheritance, Mendel, genotype and phenotype, mutations
- Enzymes and metabolism; respiration and photosynthesis
- Human body systems: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, immune, excretory, reproductive
- Homeostasis and basic physiology
- Evolution, natural selection, ecology and classification
2. Chemistry
A typical IMAT chemistry syllabus checklist:
- Atomic structure, periodic table, electron configuration
- Chemical bonding: ionic, covalent, metallic, intermolecular forces
- The mole, molar mass, stoichiometry and balancing equations
- States of matter and gas laws
- Solutions, concentration, solubility
- Acids, bases and pH; buffers
- Oxidation and reduction; basic electrochemistry
- Reaction rates, equilibrium, energy changes
- Introductory organic chemistry: functional groups, hydrocarbons, isomers
3. Physics and maths
IMAT physics and maths questions use school-level tools and are often short calculations.
- Physics: kinematics (speed, acceleration), forces and Newton’s laws, work, energy and power, momentum, pressure and fluids, basic electricity (current, voltage, resistance), waves and light, basic thermodynamics
- Maths: arithmetic and fractions, percentages and ratios, algebra and equations, units and conversions, powers and logarithms, basic geometry, functions and graphs, basic probability and statistics
4. Logical reasoning
- Following an argument: conclusions, assumptions, flaws
- Deduction from given statements
- Reading short data (tables, simple graphs) and drawing conclusions
- Problem solving with numbers and patterns
For method, see our guide to IMAT logical reasoning tips.
5. General knowledge and reading comprehension
- Reading a passage and answering questions on its meaning
- Understanding the author’s point and tone in English
- General knowledge: broad topics such as history, geography, current affairs and culture
General knowledge is the hardest to “study” in a narrow way. Reading widely in English helps more than memorising lists.
Where to focus: a priority table
This table is our study-planning view, based on the fact that biology and chemistry carry the most weight in both splits. It is not an official ranking.
| Priority | Section | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High | Biology | Largest share in both splits we reviewed (18 to 23 questions) |
| High | Chemistry | Second largest share (12 to 15 questions) |
| Medium | Maths and physics | 8 to 13 questions; fast points if your basics are solid |
| Medium | Logical reasoning | 5 to 10 questions; skill-based, so it improves with practice |
| Lower, but not zero | General knowledge / reading | 4 to 12 questions; the split varies most here |
“Lower” does not mean “skip”. Because the split changes between sources, a section that looks small could be bigger in the official annex. Keep at least light, regular practice in every area.
Because scoring is +1.5 for a correct answer, -0.4 for a wrong one and 0 for blank, accuracy matters. Read IMAT scoring and negative marking explained before you decide how to use your time.
Common mistakes when studying the syllabus
- Relying on one syllabus table. Sources disagree. Always check the official annex of the current decree.
- Ignoring the small sections. Even a few questions can matter in a close ranking.
- Memorising without practising questions. The test is multiple choice and timed. Knowing a topic is not the same as answering fast.
- Studying chemistry only as facts. Many questions need calculations such as moles and concentration.
- Leaving physics and maths until the end. Weak basics (fractions, units, algebra) cost time across the whole paper.
- Waiting for the official date to start. The school-level topics are stable enough to begin now. Use our IMAT study plan guide to organise the months.
How to practise each section
Start with the free IMAT preparation course to find your weak topics. Then take the free IMAT simulator to feel the 100-minute pace. For more question volume, use IMAT Practice. If you want live teaching across all sections, see the IMAT Course.
Key takeaways
- The IMAT covers logical reasoning, general knowledge and reading, biology, chemistry, physics and maths.
- Biology and chemistry carry the most weight; the exact split differs between sources and years.
- The IMAT 2027 syllabus and date are not published yet. Confirm in the official annex of the current ministerial decree.
- Study school-level topics now, practise timed questions, and keep every section alive.
Frequently asked questions
Is the IMAT syllabus 2027 published?
No. As of 2 November 2026, the official IMAT 2027 date and registration window have not been announced. Check Universitaly and the Ministry (MUR) for the official call and annex.
Which IMAT section has the most questions?
Biology, in both section splits we reviewed (23 in one source and 18 in another). Chemistry is second. The exact numbers change by source and year, so confirm in the official annex.
Do I need to know university-level science for the IMAT?
The topics in this guide are written at high-school level. Always compare them with the official annex, since it is the final reference for what can be asked.
Can I start preparing before the 2027 call is out?
Yes. The six areas have been stable across the sources we reviewed, so building your basics in biology, chemistry, physics, maths and reasoning now is a sensible use of time.
Is it worth guessing on questions I do not know?
This is arithmetic: a guess pays off only if the chance of being right is above about 21%. Blind guessing among 5 options is 20%, slightly negative. If you can eliminate one option, it is 25% and becomes positive.
Not sure where to start?
Talk to our team about your starting level and a realistic plan. We cannot promise admission, but we can help you organise your preparation. Book a free consultation or start with the free simulator.
Sources & official links
- Universitaly (registration and official calls)
- Ministry of University and Research (MUR) (decrees and annexes)
- Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing
Section splits come from third-party sources that disagree with each other. Topic lists are our high-school-level study map, not the official syllabus.
