The IMAT is the official entrance examination for students seeking admission to English-taught Medicine and Surgery or Dentistry degrees at Italian public universities, including the University of Messina.
The test is developed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) to evaluate whether candidates possess the necessary academic background and critical thinking skills required for a demanding medical curriculum.
📊 Test Format & Structure
The IMAT is a paper-based exam lasting 100 minutes. It consists of 60 multiple-choice questions (with five options each) divided into four main sections:
- 🧠 Reading Skills and General Knowledge: Evaluates literacy, social-humanities knowledge, and critical thinking.
- 🧩 Logical Reasoning: Focuses on problem-solving, pattern recognition, and data analysis.
- 🧬 Scientific Knowledge (Biology & Chemistry): The core of the exam, covering fundamental scientific principles.
- 📐 Scientific Knowledge (Physics & Mathematics): Assesses competence in foundational mathematical and physical concepts.
📝 Scoring System
The final ranking is determined by the following criteria:
- ✅ +1.5 points for every correct answer.
- ❌ -0.4 points for every incorrect answer (to discourage random guessing).
- ⚪ 0 points for answers left blank.
🌐 Registration & Participation
- Portal: Registration must be completed exclusively through the Universitaly portal, typically between July and August.
- Venues: Candidates can take the exam at authorized test centers worldwide or directly in Italy at the University of Messina.
- 🌍 Pre-Enrolment: Non-EU candidates residing abroad must also complete the pre-enrolment procedures at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their home country within the ministerial deadlines.
📥 Resources & Applications
- 📄 Download the IMAT FAQs: For detailed information on test-day procedures, ID requirements, and prohibited items, you can download our IMAT FAQ Guide.
- 🔗 Ready to join us? Check the section below and the 'Application and Admission' section for international students.
📥 For the a.y. 2026/2027, applications for the English-taught Single-Cycle Degree in Medicine and Surgery (IMAT) must be submitted in the 5th application call, according to the following instructions:
- Who: All candidate groups
- Programmes:
- English-taught Single-Cycle Degree in Medicine and Surgery
- Timeframe: From June 20, 2026 (00:01 am CEST) to July 20, 2026 (11:59 pm CEST), to be confirmed based on publication of the relevant Ministerial Decree. Further information will be provided online.
- PLEASE NOTE: Applications must be submitted simultaneously both on the UniME Application Portal and on the Universitaly portal (same timeline).
Test venue: UniME Papardo Campus- Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 98158 Messina ME
Access point to the competition area: Cerisi Entrance. If you use Google Maps, we advise you to take this point as a reference from which you can easily make a U-turn until you reach the entrance.
Candidates must provide at the entrance the documents listed below:
- original and valid ID document (the same used in the registration procedure for the test)
- for non-EU candidates residing abroad: passport and entry visa
- payment receipt of the registration fee
- payment receipt of the online application for the competition.
Important notice: To access the competition area, all candidates must also present the mandatory QR code for check-in received by email.
Please notify us at the following email address if you use insulin measurement devices: comunicazionistudenti@unime.it
We strongly recommend that you:
• limit the personal items you bring with you to the competition area to the bare essentials. It is strictly forbidden to bring the following items into the test area: bags, backpacks, books, pens, pencils, stationery, manuals, textbooks and even partial reproductions of textbooks, handwritten notes, blank sheets of paper and teaching and/or reference material, mobile phones, PDAs, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, earphones or other similar devices.
• use the restrooms before entering the exam room
• turn off and silence mobile phones and wake-up calls/notifications before entering the exam area. It is strictly forbidden to use mobile phones in the exam area under any circumstances;
• Eating is prohibited inside the test area with the exception of drinks. Candidates may bring a small bottle of water and any necessary medication, taking into account the duration of the exam.
• In order to ensure the proper conduct of the exam, candidates must remain in the test area until the end of the time allocated for the exam.
Access to the UNIME test venue will be exclusively from the designated point. Candidates will be transported by bus/shuttle service to the test area. Candidates are prohibited from using any other access points.
To access the competition area, all candidates must present the mandatory QR code for check-in received by email.
Transport in the Strait of Messina
- BLU JET hydrofoils - Ferrovie Group (Messina <-> Reggio Calabria/Villa S. Giovanni)
- Bluferries Ferries (Messina <-> Villa S.Giovanni)
- Caronte & Tourist Ferries (Messina <-> Villa S. Giovanni)
Railway transport
Public transport in Messina
Useful transport services
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Test date 17 Sept. 2025 |
Test type IMAT |
Access to the competition area 09:00-10:15 a.m. CEST The entrance gates will close imperatively at 10:30 am. |
Test start 11:00 a.m. CEST |
Test duration 100 min. |
Important notice: Candidates must be available for testing procedures until 17:00 CEST, as scheduled for the conclusion of the administrative selection process