IMAT format
One paper, five areas, one clock
- 60
- questions
- 100
- minutes
- 5
- options each
The IMAT is a single paper: 60 questions, five options each, 100 minutes in total. The ministerial decree fixes how many questions come from each area, so every paper has the same composition. That works out at an average of 100 seconds a question.
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Questions by area
| Area | Questions | Main topics |
|---|---|---|
| Reading skills and knowledge acquired in studies | 4 | Understanding short texts, and knowledge from school studies such as history, literature and science |
| Logical reasoning and problem solving | 5 | Deduction, conditional statements, arguments and their assumptions, arrangements, multi-step numerical problems |
| Biology | 23 | Chemistry of living things, the cell, bioenergetics, reproduction, genetics, evolution, human anatomy and physiology, biotechnology |
| Chemistry | 15 | Matter and atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, inorganic compounds, reactions and stoichiometry, solutions, acids and bases, redox, basic organic chemistry |
| Physics and Mathematics | 13 | Measurement, kinematics, dynamics, fluids, thermodynamics, electricity; algebra, functions, geometry, probability and statistics |
Timing and navigation
There is one time limit for the whole paper, not one per area. You can start with the area you know best, skip a question and come back to it, and change an answer at any point before time runs out. Because a wrong answer costs points, deciding which questions to leave blank is part of the test.
Level
The syllabus annex keeps the science at upper secondary school level. No calculator is allowed, so calculations are kept to what can be done by hand.
How the practice test matches it
The AxoPrep practice test draws 60 questions with exactly this composition: 9 reasoning (4 reading and knowledge, 5 logic and problem solving), 23 Biology, 15 Chemistry and 13 Physics and Mathematics, in that order, with one 100-minute clock and free movement between questions. Practice test.
Frequently asked questions
Is the IMAT divided into timed sections?
No. The 60 questions form one paper with one time limit of 100 minutes, and you may answer them in any order.
How many answer options does each IMAT question have?
Five, of which exactly one is correct.
What does the reasoning part contain?
Nine questions: 4 on reading skills and knowledge acquired in studies, and 5 on logical reasoning and problem solving.
Can I use a calculator on the IMAT?
No. The mathematics and physics questions are set so that they can be worked out by hand.
Official sources
- MUR: Ministerial Decree n. 1005 of 6 August 2026, Annex A (syllabus)
- MUR: admission tests for degree programmes with limited places, 2026
- Universitaly: the national portal for registration and results
AxoPrep is an independent preparation platform. It is not affiliated with the Italian Ministry of University and Research, Universitaly or any university. Last updated: .
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