IMAT 2026: Registration Dates, Seats, Fee & How to Apply — The Complete Official Guide

The Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) has published the full official rules for IMAT 2026 in Ministerial Decree n. 1005 of 6 August 2026. This guide walks through every part of that decree in plain English, so that by the end you can complete your own application with confidence. You will also find every official notice available to download at the bottom of this page.

1. IMAT 2026 Key Dates & Timeline

The exam is a single national sitting on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. In Italian centres it starts at 13:30 local time; at overseas centres, including India, the start time is adjusted to the local time zone. Here is the full official timeline:

Source: Ministerial Decree n. 1005/2026 (MUR), Article 2 and Annex 2.

2. How to Register for IMAT 2026 (Step by Step)

Registration happens in one place only: the official Universitaly portal (universitaly.it). No university takes your registration directly, and no external agent or website can submit it for you.

1. Create your Universitaly account: Starting 26 August 2026, register on Universitaly using a active personal email address.
2. Enter your personal details: Name, date and place of birth, citizenship, identity document (passport), residence and contact details. Every required field is a legal self-declaration, so ensure absolute accuracy.
3. Choose and rank your university preferences: If you sit the exam in Italy, your first preference automatically becomes your test venue. If you sit abroad (e.g., in India), select your overseas test country.
4. Pay the participation fee: Complete the payment via the payment gateway integrated on Universitaly to finalize your booking.
5. Confirm before the deadline: You can edit preferences until 15:00 Italy time on 9 September 2026. After that minute, your choices are locked permanently.

3. Pre-Enrolment vs Test Registration — Two Separate Doors

This is where international applicants most often slip up. There are two different processes on two different timelines, and you must complete both:

4. Crucial Point for Indian & Non-EU Students: Local Ranking

The ministerial decree establishes two distinct competition systems. EU citizens and non-EU students residing legally in Italy compete in a unified national merit ranking with multi-choice sliding. However, for non-EU citizens residing abroad (including most Indian applicants), the rule is different:

This shapes your whole strategy. Your competition is not all test-takers across Italy — it is the pool of international students who pre-enrolled at your exact university choice. Therefore, choosing which university to pre-enrol at is a critical strategic decision.

5. Test Structure & Scoring System

The IMAT consists of 60 multiple-choice questions (five options, one correct answer) to be completed in 100 minutes:

Scoring Formula: +1.5 points for a correct answer, −0.4 points for a wrong answer, and 0 points for a blank response. Maximum possible score is 90 points. Because negative marking applies, avoiding blind guesses is critical. Biology and Chemistry account for 38 out of 60 questions (over 63% of total marks).

6. Eligibility Thresholds

EU and Italian candidates must score at least 20 points to be eligible for ranking. For non-EU candidates residing abroad, the official 20-point minimum threshold does not apply: you need a score greater than zero and must have attempted at least one question.

7. IMAT 2026 Reserved Seat Matrix

Table B of Ministerial Decree n. 1005/2026 allocates places between candidates:

8. Test Centres & Backup Planning

The IMAT is conducted across Italy and in 25 foreign countries listed in Table A of the decree, including India. However, the centre in India has limited capacity and fills very rapidly upon opening.

If the Indian test venue fills up, consider these backup options:

• Hong Kong: Indian passport holders can enter visa-free through a simple online Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) for stays up to 14 days.
• Dubai (UAE): Accessible with an online tourist e-visa or visa-on-arrival for applicants holding valid US, UK, or Schengen visas.

9. Registration Fee

The official decree does not fix the final candidate registration fee. The fee is published on Universitaly when registration opens on 26 August 2026. (The 2025 registration fee was €130).

10. English Proficiency & Tie-Breakers

An IELTS or TOEFL certificate is not mandatory to register for or sit the IMAT. Language certifications act primarily as tie-breakers when candidates obtain identical total test scores. Having studied at least one full academic year at an English-medium institution also fulfills tie-breaker equivalence.

11. Exam-Day Rules

Bring a valid passport for identity verification. Write exclusively with the black pen provided by the test centre. Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, electronic devices, and personal scrap paper are strictly prohibited and lead to immediate disqualification.

12. Post-Result Ranking Scrolls (Scorrimento)

When rankings publish on 26 October 2026, status indicates Assigned, Booked, or Waiting. Starting 3 November 2026, subsequent ranking scrolls (scorrimenti) occur periodically as candidates accept or forfeit places. Monitor portal status constantly to adhere to strict enrollment confirmation windows.

13. Download Official IMAT 2026 Documents

Verify all rules directly from official Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) decrees:

14. Frequently Asked Questions

Official Sources

• Official MUR Decree: Ministerial Decree n. 1005 of 6 August 2026 (mur.gov.it)
• Official Registration Portal: universitaly.it