Every year, thousands of students sit the IMAT, and many of them make the university decision in a rush. That is a mistake, because the score you get and the place you list are connected. A strong score aimed at the wrong list can still leave you without a seat. This guide explains the logic in plain steps, using the 2026 figures we have. If you want the full numbers first, see our IMAT cut-off scores 2026 by university article.
Step 1: Understand how seats and cut-offs work together
A cut-off is the score of the last student admitted in a ranking. A university with few seats and many applicants usually ends up with a high cut-off. A university with more seats can end up lower. That is a pattern, not a rule, and it changes every year.
Two more things matter. First, EU and non-EU candidates compete for separate seats, so you must read the right column. Second, the cut-offs we quote are first-round figures collected by third-party aggregators. Rankings are published on Universitaly, and numbers can move in later rounds. Always verify on Universitaly.
Step 2: Compare 2026 seats and cut-offs
The table below shows ten universities where our data is fairly complete. These are aggregator figures for the 2026/27 cycle; treat them as a guide, not as official data.
| University | EU seats | Non-EU seats | 2026 EU cut-off | 2026 non-EU cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milan (Statale) | 60 | 15 | 74.9 | 80.6 |
| Sapienza Rome | 52 | 13 | 72.7 | 76.0 |
| Bologna | 140 | 20 | 70.8 | 77.9 |
| Pavia | 103 | 40 | 70.3 | 75.3 |
| Turin (Orbassano) | 73 | not in our data | 70.3 | 73.7 |
| Padua (Venice) | 75 | 25 | 68.8 | 72.9 |
| Tor Vergata | 65 | 20 | 67.8 | 70.7 |
| Parma (Piacenza) | 80 | 45-50 | 67.7 | 71.5 |
| Messina | 55 | 61 | 65.2 | 71.1 |
| Cagliari | 80 | 18 | 65.1 | 61.5 |
Seat numbers for some universities differ between sources, and the Parma non-EU figure is shown as a range for that reason. All cut-offs are round-1 aggregator figures and can change.
What the table suggests
- Cut-offs rose in 2026. First-round cut-offs were roughly 9-11 points higher than in 2025 at most universities (for example, Milan 65.8 in 2025 against 74.9 in 2026, and Parma 57.0 against 67.7, according to one aggregator). The cause is not established. Do not simply use 2025 numbers.
- Non-EU cut-offs are usually higher than EU ones in this table, but not everywhere. Cagliari is the exception in our data (61.5 non-EU against 65.1 EU).
- Seat count is not the whole story. Bologna has the most EU seats here, yet its cut-off is still among the higher ones.
Step 3: Build a mix of ambitious, realistic and safer choices
Think of your list in three groups. The idea is simple: do not put all your hopes in one group.
- Ambitious: universities whose last cut-off is above the score you usually reach in practice tests. Include one or two only if you truly want them.
- Realistic: universities whose cut-off sits close to your typical practice score.
- Safer: universities whose cut-off is clearly below your typical score, or where your category (EU or non-EU) has more seats.
To place yourself honestly, use your average over several full timed papers, not your best day. Our IMAT score calculator and the free IMAT simulator help you do that. Remember the scoring: +1.5 for a correct answer, -0.4 for a wrong one, 0 for blank, with a maximum of 90.
A safer choice is only “safer” relative to the previous year. Because 2026 cut-offs jumped, leave yourself a wide margin and never call any option certain.
Step 4: Know when preferences lock, and what non-EU students do first
In the 2026/27 cycle, IMAT registration on Universitaly ran from 26 August to 9 September 2026 (15:00 Italian time). Registration is complete only after the fee is paid, and your site (venue) preferences lock at the deadline. The 2027 dates have not been announced as of 2 November 2026. Our IMAT 2027 dates and registration guide tracks what is known. Check the official call and Universitaly, because the rules for your year may differ.
If you are a non-EU applicant living abroad, there are two steps on Universitaly: first, a pre-enrolment application to one university by that university’s own deadline; second, IMAT test registration. For example, Messina asked for both its own portal and Universitaly by 20 July 2026. That means your first university choice may have to be made months before the test, and before you know your score. Our non-EU guide to studying medicine in Italy in English walks through this process. EU candidates only book the test.
Because the pre-enrolment choice comes early, use last year’s seats and cut-offs, plus your practice scores, to pick a university that is realistic rather than only famous.
Step 5: Research the non-score factors yourself
Scores decide whether you get a seat. Everything else decides whether you are happy using it for six years. We cannot tell you which city is best, and we will not claim specifics about teaching quality or costs. Here is what to look into using official university pages and current student contacts:
- City: size, climate, distance from home, transport links.
- Language of daily life: the course is in English, but shops, landlords, hospitals and offices work in Italian. Plan to learn it. See our Italian language course if you want a head start.
- Cost of living: rent, food and travel. Look up current figures from the university and trusted student sources.
- Campus and hospital location: check where teaching and clinical training take place. Some programmes are based away from the main city, such as Orbassano for Turin or Piacenza for Parma, so confirm this on the official site.
- Scholarships and fees: check the current rules for your category.
Decision worksheet: ask yourself these questions
- What is my average score over my last five full, timed practice papers?
- Am I EU or non-EU, and which seat and cut-off columns apply to me?
- Which two universities are ambitious for me, and would I be happy if I got only one of them?
- Which two or three are realistic, with cut-offs near my average?
- Which are safer, with cut-offs clearly below my average? Would I actually go there?
- If non-EU: which single university will I pre-enrol with, and what is its deadline?
- Could I live in this city and function in Italian for six years?
- Can my family afford the likely costs after I check current figures?
- Where will my classes and hospital training take place?
- If I miss my first choices, am I ready to retake next year instead of accepting a place I do not want?
Write your answers down. If a university only makes your list because of its name, ask question 7 again.
Key takeaways
- Compare seats and cut-offs together, in the correct EU or non-EU column.
- 2026 first-round cut-offs were roughly 9-11 points higher than 2025 at most universities, so do not rely on old numbers.
- Mix ambitious, realistic and safer choices, and judge yourself by your average practice score.
- Preferences lock at the registration deadline, and non-EU students pre-enrol with one university first.
- City, language, cost and campus location are yours to research. No number replaces that.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best universities for the IMAT?
There is no single best one. The best choice for you depends on your score range, your category (EU or non-EU), seat numbers and personal factors such as city and cost. A university with a high cut-off is not automatically better for you.
How many universities can I list, and in what order?
The number of choices and the exact rules come from the official call, so check Universitaly for your year. As a principle, put the places you want most first, but make sure your whole list includes realistic and safer options.
Can I change my preferences after registration closes?
In the 2026/27 cycle, site preferences locked at the registration deadline. Plan to finalise your list before then, and confirm the rule for your year in the official call.
As a non-EU student, do I choose a university before the test?
Usually yes. Non-EU applicants abroad first make a pre-enrolment application to one university by that university’s deadline, then register for the IMAT. Deadlines vary, so check each university and Universitaly.
Should I choose by last year’s cut-off?
Use it as a guide, not a promise. Cut-offs change each year and between rounds. In 2026 they rose by roughly 9-11 points at most universities compared with 2025, and the cause is not established.
Want help building your list?
Our team can look at your practice scores and category and talk through a sensible preference order with you. Book a free consultation, read about our consultancy service, or see the IMAT course to raise your score before you decide.
Sources & official links
- Universitaly (registration, pre-enrolment, rankings)
- Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR)
- Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing
- Cut-offs and seat numbers: third-party aggregator figures for 2025 and 2026 (round 1, provisional); verify on Universitaly.
