Health Professions in English 2025: What’s New Compared to 2024

This year brought several important updates to the Health Professions admission test in English for 2025, and many students are wondering what has actually changed from the 2024 edition.
In this guide, we’ll go through all the official updates, the main differences between the two years, the changes in structure, scoring, and registration, how these impact your study strategy, and where to find the official sources.
We’ll also explain how to stay up to date without missing deadlines or announcements.

All the information in this article comes directly from the official decree issued by the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), available on the MUR official website, along with references to university calls and national notices.

All the Official Updates for 2025

In 2025, the Health Professions admission test in English took place on 10 September at 11:00 a.m., lasting 100 minutes.
The overall structure of the test remains the same, but the ministerial framework around it has changed slightly.

The main update is linked to the reform of admission procedures for Medicine and related courses, which introduced the so-called “open semester” system. This reform allows students who rank in the national lists for Medicine and related subjects to enrol in affiliated Health Professions courses without retaking an additional entrance test.

For English-taught programmes, however, this option is not automatic. Each university applies the reform differently, so it is essential to check the specific call for applications of your chosen university.

In general, the Ministry confirmed the national validity of the test and the obligation for every university to organise a single admission exam valid for all Health Professions degrees offered in both Italian and English.

Differences Between 2024 and 2025

At first glance, the 2025 exam seems very similar to the previous one, but there are some practical differences to keep in mind.

In 2024, the test was held on 9 September, at the same time and with the same duration.
In 2025, it moved to 10 September, maintaining the same number of questions and scoring rules: 60 multiple-choice questions, each with five options, 1.5 points for a correct answer, –0.4 for an incorrect one, and 0 points for unanswered questions.

The real difference lies in the broader context. The 2025 reform introduced more flexibility through the open-semester system, connecting admission rankings for Medicine and Health Professions courses.
Universities have also simplified the online registration process, making document submission more streamlined.

Changes to Structure, Scoring, Registration and Requirements

The structure of the test remains based on 60 multiple-choice questions divided into:

• Reading comprehension and general knowledge
• Logical reasoning and problem-solving
• Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics

All questions are written in English, and the distribution follows the official ministerial framework, with a stronger focus on Biology and Chemistry. The total duration of 100 minutes requires excellent time management and accuracy.

Each university manages its own registration process. In 2025, most universities opened applications between 8 and 29 August, with registration fees ranging from €50 to €100.

The eligibility requirements remain the same: a secondary school diploma valid for university entry, or an equivalent foreign qualification. Non-EU students can take part within the quotas set by each university.

For English-taught courses, a B2 level of English is generally expected, though most universities do not require an official certificate. Comprehension and reading skills are evaluated directly through the exam itself, which is entirely in English.

How the 2025 Updates Affect Preparation

The 2025 updates do not change the exam format but influence how students should prepare.
Knowing that the structure remains the same is an advantage — it allows candidates to plan study sessions and practice under real exam conditions.

Focus primarily on Biology and Chemistry, which carry the most weight in the scoring system, while also strengthening logical reasoning and English reading comprehension, which can make the difference between passing and missing the cut-off.

Practising with full mock exams in English is the best way to adapt to the language and the pace of the real test. The TestBuddy app allows students to recreate official-style simulations with 60 questions, 100-minute limits and negative marking, helping them train both timing and accuracy.

Beyond mock exams, analysing your mistakes is crucial. In TestBuddy, every incorrect answer automatically generates a targeted revision card and a personalised study plan that helps you strengthen weaker areas and track progress over time.
This approach turns preparation into a clear, data-driven process, reducing anxiety and building confidence day by day.

Timeline and Official Sources

The Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) published the official test dates in mid-May 2025, confirming 10 September as the national date for Health Professions courses in English.
In August 2025, the official ministerial decree defining the exam content and scoring was released.

Between July and August 2025, Italian universities and foreign universities based in Italy published their calls for applications, including deadlines, fees and logistics.
By September 2025, most universities released the merit rankings, typically within two weeks of the exam date.

For reliable and timely updates, students should monitor the MUR’s “Acts and Regulations” section and the official admissions pages of their chosen universities.

How to Stay Up to Date

Admission procedures can change quickly, sometimes even a few days before the deadline. The safest way to stay informed is by relying on official government and university channels.

The MUR website publishes every decree, notice and clarification related to the Health Professions admission tests.
Each university also maintains a dedicated admissions page listing test schedules, required documents and the publication dates of rankings.

To simplify everything, TestBuddy lets you activate automatic alerts that notify you as soon as new calls, deadlines or ranking updates are released.
Inside the app, you’ll also find an “Exam Day” section, where you can gather all final reminders, documents and last-minute checklists to avoid unnecessary stress before the test.

Official sources referenced:

• Official Ministerial Decree 2025 – MUR
• Official notice with test dates – MUR
• Ministerial Decree 2024 – for comparison
• Universitaly portal – Health Professions section