IMAT 2026: Test Structure, Subjects and Complete Syllabus

Anyone preparing for the IMAT, the International Medical Admission Test, needs to understand one thing first: this is not just a science test.

It is an admission test in English with a fixed structure, a detailed syllabus, a strict scoring system and limited time. In this guide, we look at what the IMAT includes, how many questions there are, which subjects matter most, what the official syllabus covers and how students can organize their preparation without wasting time.

As of now, the specific 2026 IMAT decree has not yet been published. Until the new official document is released, the most recent complete reference remains the 2025 official framework.

What to study for the IMAT

The IMAT covers 6 main areas:

• Reading skills and acquired knowledge
• Logical reasoning and problem solving
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics

All questions are written in English.

The test checks whether a student can:

• understand complex written passages;
• reason logically from given information;
• apply scientific knowledge;
• manage time under pressure;
• avoid losing points through wrong answers.

The most important part of preparation is not studying everything in general, but studying what is actually included in the official IMAT syllabus.

That is why TestBuddy is useful during preparation: the app brings together simulations, exercises by topic, a digital theory manual, statistics and the TB Score in one place, so students can study in a more organized way and track their level before the real test.

IMAT exam structure

The IMAT consists of 60 multiple-choice questions.

Each question has:

• 5 answer options
• 1 correct answer

The total time is 100 minutes.

Biology and Chemistry carry the greatest weight.

Together, they account for 38 questions out of 60, so they usually have the biggest impact on the final score.

IMAT scoring system

The maximum score is 90 points.

This means students must learn not only the theory, but also how to decide when to answer and when to leave a question blank.

A random answer can reduce the final score.

A well-trained answer strategy can protect it.

Reading skills and acquired knowledge syllabus

This section tests the ability to understand written texts in English.

Texts may include:

• scientific passages;
• narrative excerpts;
• current affairs texts;
• general knowledge passages.

Students may be asked to:

• understand complex vocabulary;
• recognize the meaning of abstract or technical words;
• identify the structure of a text;
• understand explicit information;
• infer implicit information;
• connect ideas logically.

This section is short, but it should not be ignored.

It can become decisive when scores are close.

Logical reasoning and problem solving syllabus

This section tests reasoning, not memorization.

Questions may be verbal or symbolic.

Students must be able to:

• follow a logical argument;
• complete a reasoning process;
• identify valid conclusions;
• analyze abstract situations;
• solve structured problems.

The best way to prepare is through repeated practice, because logic improves when students learn to recognize patterns and avoid common traps.

Biology syllabus

Biology is the most important subject in terms of number of questions.

The official syllabus includes:

• biomolecules;
• weak interactions;
• organic molecules in living organisms;
• enzymes;
• cell theory;
• prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells;
• viruses;
• cell membrane;
• membrane transport;
• cell structures;
• cell cycle;
• mitosis and meiosis;
• chromosome set;
• reproduction;
• Mendelian genetics;
• classical genetics;
• molecular genetics;
• DNA structure and function;
• genetic code;
• protein synthesis;
• gene regulation;
• human genetics;
• mutations;
• evolution;
• biotechnology;
• animal and human anatomy;
• physiology;
• homeostasis;
• ATP;
• redox reactions;
• photosynthesis;
• glycolysis;
• aerobic respiration;
• fermentation.

Since Biology has 23 questions, it should usually receive the largest share of preparation time.

Chemistry syllabus

Chemistry has 15 questions and is the second most important science area.

The syllabus includes:

• matter and states of matter;
• homogeneous and heterogeneous systems;
• elements and compounds;
• ideal gas laws;
• atomic structure;
• periodic table;
• periodic properties;
• chemical bonds;
• intermolecular forces;
• inorganic chemistry;
• chemical reactions;
• stoichiometry;
• mole concept;
• Avogadro constant;
• solutions;
• equilibria in aqueous solution;
• kinetics;
• catalysis;
• oxidation and reduction;
• acids and bases;
• pH;
• hydrolysis;
• buffer solutions;
• organic chemistry;
• isomerism;
• hydrocarbons;
• functional groups.

Chemistry preparation should combine theory, exercises and error review.

Studying definitions alone is not enough.

Mathematics syllabus

Mathematics is tested together with Physics in the same group of 13 questions.

The syllabus includes:

• numerical sets;
• algebra;
• powers;
• roots;
• logarithms;
• combinatorics;
• algebraic expressions;
• polynomials;
• first-degree and second-degree equations;
• inequalities;
• systems of equations;
• functions;
• graphs;
• domain and codomain;
• sign analysis;
• continuity;
• maximum and minimum points;
• elementary functions;
• trigonometric equations and inequalities;
• plane geometry;
• circumference and circle;
• measurements;
• isometries;
• similarities;
• trigonometry;
• Cartesian plane;
• straight line;
• conics;
• Pythagorean theorem;
• Euclid’s theorems;
• probability;
• statistics.

The main goal is not advanced mathematics, but speed, accuracy and correct interpretation of the question.

Physics syllabus

The Physics syllabus includes:

• physical quantities and units of measurement;
• scientific notation;
• unit conversions;
• scalar and vector quantities;
• kinematics;
• velocity;
• acceleration;
• uniform rectilinear motion;
• uniformly accelerated motion;
• uniform circular motion;
• harmonic motion;
• dynamics;
• Newton’s laws;
• weight force;
• elastic force;
• friction;
• impulse;
• momentum;
• moment;
• work;
• energy;
• power;
• fluids;
• hydrostatics;
• Pascal’s principle;
• Stevino’s law;
• Archimedes’ principle;
• Bernoulli’s principle;
• thermodynamics;
• heat;
• heat capacity;
• ideal gases;
• first and second laws of thermodynamics;
• electricity;
• electromagnetism;
• Coulomb’s law;
• electric field;
• electric potential;
• capacitors;
• current;
• resistance;
• Ohm’s law;
• resistors;
• Kirchhoff’s laws;
• Joule effect;
• direct and alternating current;
• magnetic field;
• induction.

Physics should be prepared with formulas, exercises and repeated simulations, because many mistakes come from calculation speed and unit conversion.

How to start preparing from zero

A student starting from zero should begin with the official syllabus.

The correct order is:

• understand the structure of the test;
• read the syllabus;
• divide the topics by subject;
• start from Biology and Chemistry;
• keep Physics and Mathematics active every week;
• train Reading and Logic with short but regular sessions;
• use simulations to measure progress.

The mistake to avoid is starting from random theory without knowing how the exam is built.

A better approach is to study with the test structure in mind from the beginning.

With TestBuddy, students can start from the digital theory manual, practice by topic, then move to full simulations and check progress through statistics and the TB Score. It is possible to start for free.

How to plan IMAT preparation in 1, 3 or 6 months

There is no official ministerial study plan for 1, 3 or 6 months.

A practical plan should be based on the weight of each subject.

If there is 1 month left

Preparation must be very focused.

Priority should go to:

• Biology;
• Chemistry;
• official-style simulations;
• correction of mistakes;
• time management.

Physics, Mathematics, Logic and Reading should still be trained, but without trying to rebuild every topic from zero.

The goal is to gain the highest number of points in the shortest time.

If there are 3 months left

A 3-month plan allows more balance.

A useful structure is:

• first month: theory review and topic exercises;
• second month: mixed exercises and weak areas;
• third month: full simulations and score strategy.

Biology and Chemistry should remain central throughout the whole period.

If there are 6 months left

With 6 months, preparation can be more complete.

Students can divide the work into phases:

• build the theory base;
• complete the syllabus by subject;
• practice each topic;
• start mixed exercises;
• introduce full simulations;
• review mistakes;
• refine answer strategy.

This is the best scenario for students who want to study without rushing and reduce anxiety before the test.

Common preparation mistakes

The most common mistakes are:

• studying without checking the official syllabus;
• spending too little time on Biology;
• underestimating Chemistry;
• practicing theory without simulations;
• ignoring the penalty for wrong answers;
• studying in Italian only and not enough in English;
• not reviewing mistakes;
• doing full simulations too late;
• measuring study hours instead of actual score progress.

The solution is to study with a measurable system.

Students should always know:

• which topics are weak;
• which subjects are improving;
• how much they would score today;
• where they lose points;
• whether wrong answers are damaging the final score.

Last week routine

The last week should not be used to restart the syllabus from the beginning.

It should be used to consolidate.

The priority should be:

• full simulations;
• review of repeated mistakes;
• Biology and Chemistry recall;
• formula review for Physics and Mathematics;
• English question practice;
• timing strategy;
• sleep and routine stability.

The goal is not to study more randomly.

The goal is to arrive at the test with a clear method.

The day before the IMAT

The day before the exam should be simple.

Students should avoid:

• learning large new topics;
• doing too many exercises late at night;
• changing strategy;
• relying on last-minute panic study.

It is better to review:

• key Biology concepts;
• key Chemistry reactions and rules;
• formulas;
• common mistakes;
• exam timing;
• answer strategy.

A light final review is more useful than exhausting study.

Official exam day rules

The IMAT is a single test, identical across the official test centers.

Students must follow the instructions given at the test center.

In general, candidates must avoid:

• communicating with other candidates;
• using phones or electronic devices;
• using notes;
• using unauthorized materials;
• marking answers incorrectly.

The test lasts 100 minutes, so time management must already be trained before exam day.

What is still missing for IMAT 2026

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

This means that the following 2026 details are not yet officially available:

• final test date;
• official registration window;
• official 2026 syllabus confirmation;
• any possible changes to structure;
• any possible changes to scoring;
• any possible changes to procedures.

Until the 2026 document is released, the safest reference is the most recent official framework available, which is the 2025 structure and syllabus.

Final official reference summary

The information presented in this guide is based on the most recent official documents currently available, including the official IMAT admission decree for 2025/2026, the official IMAT syllabus annex, the Accesso Programmato IMAT portal, the official 2025 IMAT test paper and the Universitaly international students procedures for 2026/2027.

As of today, no IMAT-specific decree has yet been published for the 2026 edition. Until an updated official document is released, the 2025 structure and syllabus remain the most recent official reference available.