Simulations and Practice Tests – Health Professions (English) 2025

Preparing for the Health Professions admission test in English 2025 means understanding where to find reliable simulations, how to practise by topic, how to analyse your results, and what scores you need to aim for to secure a place. In this article, we’ll go through everything step by step: from official university simulations and downloadable PDFs, to TestBuddy’s fac-simile mock tests that replicate the official structure defined by the Ministry.

All information comes from the official ministerial decree and the Ministry of Universities and Research notice that set out the test dates and structure. You can read them here: ministerial decree 2025 and official MUR notice with dates.

Official simulations available

Each year the Ministry defines the structure and contents of the test, but it’s the universities that organise official national mock tests, usually between late August and early September. These are free online simulations that last 100 minutes, with the same number of questions as the real exam.

Universities such as Catania, Brescia and L’Aquila often run open simulations accessible to all candidates, even those not enrolled at their institution. They provide instant scoring and rankings, using the same marking formula as the real test.

These simulations are invaluable for getting used to the test format and reducing anxiety on exam day. Check the official university websites regularly in the weeks before the exam, as announcements are usually published just a few days in advance.

Practice by topic and difficulty

Effective preparation means studying by subject area, following the structure outlined in the official decree: reading skills, logical reasoning and problem solving, biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. Each subject can be approached progressively, with exercises of increasing difficulty.

On TestBuddy, you can create focused practice sessions in English that match the official syllabus exactly. Exercises are organised by topic and level, allowing you to build up knowledge gradually while improving both accuracy and speed.

This approach helps you memorise key concepts, strengthen reasoning skills and manage your time better, especially when reading and interpreting questions in English — one of the most common challenges for candidates.

Free online simulations with correction

Free online simulations offered by universities or specialised platforms are designed to reproduce the real test conditions. Each lasts 100 minutes and includes 60 multiple-choice questions, with points awarded for correct answers and penalties for incorrect ones.

At the end of the session, results are automatically calculated using the same formula used on exam day. You receive a full report with your score, ranking and performance by section.

On TestBuddy, the English mock tests follow the official structure precisely, with the same number of questions and scoring criteria. After each test, you get instant feedback, a breakdown of your score by topic, and insights into which areas to focus on next — all tailored to help you improve faster.

Downloadable PDF simulations and how to use them

After the official exam, many universities publish the complete test papers and answer keys in PDF format. These documents are a valuable resource to practise with real past papers and understand the question style.

Universities such as Insubria and Pavia make these PDFs available on their official websites, allowing candidates to work through authentic tests from previous years.

The best way to use them is to print the test, set a 100-minute timer, and complete it under exam-like conditions. Once finished, correct your answers and review every mistake, making sure you understand why the right answer is correct, not just which one it is.

On TestBuddy, these same papers are available in digital format, so you can take them directly online with automatic scoring and performance analysis.

Analysing your results

After each simulation, spend time reviewing your results carefully. It’s important to understand whether your mistakes are due to gaps in knowledge, careless errors, or poor time management.

A practical method is to group mistakes by topic and type — for example, distinguishing between errors in cell biology and genetics, or separating logical reasoning questions from mathematical ones. This helps to identify your weaker areas.

TestBuddy automatically generates a detailed report showing your score by subject, error rate, and average time per question. With this data, you can clearly see where you lose points and adjust your study plan accordingly.

Average scores, benchmarks and passing goals

The Health Professions test in English uses local rankings, so there’s no fixed national cut-off. Each university sets its own ranking based on the number of places available and the candidates’ scores.

Looking at past trends, a minimum of around 45 points out of 90 is usually required to be competitive. For the most selective universities, aim for 50–55 points, maintaining both accuracy and speed throughout the test.

With TestBuddy, you can monitor your progress in real time and compare your scores to realistic benchmarks, so you always know how close you are to your goal before the actual exam.

Simulating real test conditions

To perform at your best on exam day, it’s essential to train under real conditions. The official rules allow 100 minutes for 60 questions, with no calculators, notes, or electronic devices. Practise in a quiet environment, using a timer, and stick strictly to the time limit.

Repeating this routine multiple times helps reduce anxiety and improve focus. Every TestBuddy simulation includes an integrated timer identical to the real one, so you can get used to the pace and rhythm of the actual test.

Preparing with TestBuddy

The key to success is consistent practice and tracking your progress. With TestBuddy, you can take full mock tests in English identical to the official version, practise by topic and difficulty, and get detailed analytics after every session.

The app uses artificial intelligence to identify your weak areas and generate a personalised study plan. This means you can study strategically, target your weakest topics, and approach the exam confidently — without stress or uncertainty.

TestBuddy is designed to make preparation clearer, smarter and more motivating: your intelligent study companion that guides you step by step until exam day.

Official sources

All the information in this article is based on the official ministerial decree 2025, the MUR notice with official test dates, and the official university pages (University of Milan, Catania, Brescia, L’Aquila, Pavia, Insubria, Bologna, Palermo and Sapienza).