Skip to content 
Every year, thousands of international students set their sights on the dream of studying in Italy. The country offers an unparalleled opportunity: a world-class medical degree, taught entirely in English, often with free education opportunities and generous scholarships. For Indian students specifically, the allure of MBBS in Italy is undeniable, providing a high-quality alternative to the fierce competition and high costs of private medical colleges at home. However, the path to these historic universities is guarded by a single, decisive hurdle: the IMAT exam (International Medical Admissions Test). While many students focus intensely on biology and chemistry, they often overlook a strategic pitfall that has nothing to do with their syllabus knowledge but everything to do with decision-making.
A Critical IMAT-Specific Mistake: Choosing a University Without Understanding Your Own Capability
One of the biggest mistakes IMAT aspirants make is shortlisting universities too early, without realistically assessing their own preparation level. This error stems from a misunderstanding of the admission timeline. In general, the IMAT exam is conducted in September, while registration usually opens in late August. However, many Italian universities keep their pre-enrollment portals open from mid-July to early September.
This timeline creates unnecessary panic among students. As a result, many students finalize their university choice as early as January to March, long before they truly understand their IMAT performance potential. They lock in a choice based on aspiration rather than data, which can lead to disastrous consequences.
Limited Choices, High Stakes: The “One Shot” Rule
To understand why early selection is dangerous, you must first understand the strict constraints of the Italian public university system. When it comes to public universities in Italy, the situation becomes critical because the system does not allow for a ‘backup plan’ within the public sector.
- There are only 16 public universities offering medicine programs in Italy.
- Students can select only ONE university for the pre-enrollment process on Universitaly.
- This decision is final and irreversible once the deadline passes.
Unlike other countries where you can apply to 10 universities and choose the one that accepts you, Italy forces you to bet everything on a single horse. Admission depends entirely on your IMAT cutoff score and the number of seats available for non-EU students at that specific institution. Because of this structure, choosing the wrong university can mean losing the entire academic year, even if the student clears the IMAT exam reasonably well.
Understanding IMAT Scores and Cutoffs
The IMAT exam is scored out of 90 marks. To secure a seat in a desired university, students must score above that university’s cutoff. This cutoff is not fixed; it varies each year depending on:
- The difficulty level of the question paper.
- The total number of applicants for that specific university.
- The seat availability for Non-EU candidates.
A Simple Hypothetical Example: Milan vs. The Rest
Let’s illustrate this with a practical scenario. Say a student completes pre-enrollment for the University of Milan for the 2025 intake. Historically, Milan is one of the most competitive options.
Hypothetical IMAT cutoff for Milan: 72.9
This means the student must score more than 72.9 to secure a seat. Now consider two scenarios:
Scenario A: If a student’s consistent mock test scores are below 70, applying to Milan gives almost zero chance of admission. They are effectively disqualified before they even enter the exam hall.
Scenario B: However, if the same student had applied to a university like the University of Catania, University of Cagliari, or University of Marche, where cutoffs are usually around 60, the chances of securing a seat would have been much higher.
The problem is not the student’s capability — the problem is choosing a university that does not match the student’s realistic score range.
Why Self-Assessment Is Crucial Before Pre-Enrollment
Before choosing a single university, students must first understand their true preparation level. This can only be done by:
- Taking multiple full-length mock tests.
- Analysing mock test scores consistently over months.
- Preparing in real exam-like conditions.
- Attending classes regularly.
- Having a clear understanding of the IMAT syllabus.
- Building strong conceptual clarity, not just memorization.
Only after this self-assessment can a student predict a realistic score range, match that score range with appropriate university cutoffs, and make a safe and strategic pre-enrollment decision.
If you need help assessing your level, Kalinga Euro’s IMAT Coaching programs include rigorous mock testing and performance analysis to help you make this crucial choice.
The Value of Getting It Right: Financial Independence
Why is this single choice so important? Because securing a seat in an Italian public university is not just an academic victory; it is a financial one. If you choose wisely and get in, you unlock the benefits of the DSU Scholarship.
Successful applicants can access:
- 100% Tuition Fee Waiver (Paying only €156 regional tax).
- Free Accommodation in university dorms.
- Free Meals at university canteens.
- Yearly Cash Stipend of up to €7,200 to €8,000.
Table 2: Cost of MBBS – Italy vs. Private Colleges
| Cost Component | MBBS in Italy (With Scholarship) | Private MBBS in India/Elsewhere |
| Tuition Fees | €0 (Free) | ₹15 Lakhs – ₹1 Crore+ |
| Living Expenses | Covered by Stipend (€7,200) | ₹2 – ₹4 Lakhs/Year |
| Language of Instruction | English | English/Local |
Final Takeaway for IMAT Aspirants
The IMAT exam is not just about scoring well — it is about strategic decision-making at the right time. Choosing a university too early, without understanding your own capability, is one of the most costly mistakes an IMAT aspirant can make.
In IMAT admissions: preparation matters, mock tests matter, cutoffs matter, and university choice matters just as much. A well-prepared student with a smart university choice always stands a better chance than a rushed student aiming blindly for a high-cutoff university.
Don’t make this mistake alone. Contact Us today for a free consultation. Our experts analyze your mock scores and help you select the university where you have the highest probability of success.
