Premedis Blog

What Is the IMAT? Format, Scoring & Syllabus (2027 Guide)

2026-07-31T00:00:00Z

What is the IMAT?

The International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) is organised by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and is the official entrance exam for international students who want to study medicine, surgery, dentistry or veterinary medicine in Italy. Your performance on this test is decisive, because the IMAT score is the main factor that determines whether you get in.

The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, each with 5 options, to be completed within a strict 100 minutes.

How the IMAT is scored

The maximum total score is 90 points. To be a competitive applicant, you generally need 50 to 65 points as an EU student, while non-EU students typically aim for 50 to 75 points.

The scoring system penalises guessing:

Answer	Points
Correct	+1.5
Incorrect	-0.4
Left blank	0

What the exam covers

The IMAT tests your foundation across several core scientific and analytical disciplines: biology, chemistry, physics, maths and logical reasoning. The official test specifications are usually released 1 to 3 months before the exam, but the structure stays highly consistent from year to year.

Section	Questions
Reading skills and general knowledge acquired during studies	4
Problem solving and logical reasoning	5
Biology	23
Chemistry	15
Maths and physics	13

As the table shows, most of the exam is science-based.

How to prepare

The competition is fierce, so your preparation strategy has to be solid.

The most important piece of advice is not to wait until the summer to start studying. Begin as early as you can. Knowing the theory is not enough either, so practise as much as possible and build timed practice into your routine. With enough repetition you will start to notice patterns in how the questions work.

When you gather your study materials, remember that quantity does not equal quality. It is far better to study two good books deeply than to skim through ten.

Recommended books

Biology

Campbell Biology: A Global Approach, 11th edition (Pearson)
Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology Coursebook

Chemistry

Pearson Chemistry Higher Level
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry Coursebook

Maths and physics

Mathematics Standard Level for the IB Diploma
Cambridge IGCSE Physics, third edition

Practice and exercise books

Medicina in lingua inglese
Testbusters Medicina in inglese IMAT
Alpha Test Medicina in inglese

How to apply

The administrative side of the IMAT matters just as much as the science.

Pre-enrolment opens around May and runs through the Universitaly portal. It is a mandatory online application for non-European citizens. During this phase the university checks your qualifications and informs your local Italian embassy that you are eligible for a student visa.

For pre-enrolment you need to submit:

your passport
a passport-style photo
your high school diploma
a full high school transcript
proof of language proficiency

Exam registration opens after that and costs €150 to finalise your place.

Exam day falls in late September, either in Italy or at one of the test centres in more than 20 countries.

Good luck!

Why I Left Australia to Study Dentistry in Georgia (And Why I Don’t Regret It)

2026-06-29T00:00:00Z

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be moving halfway across the world to study dentistry, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Like most aspiring dental students in Australia, my original plan was to stay local. I spent countless hours preparing for the Australian application process, sat the GAMSAT, and put my applications in. Unfortunately, I missed out on securing a place.

Because dentistry in Australia is notoriously competitive, many students find themselves stuck in a cycle of reapplying year after year. I knew I didn’t want to be stuck in that limbo, but I also knew I still wanted to become a dentist. So, instead of waiting around, I started researching alternative pathways and looking at what other students were doing overseas.

That’s when I discovered Georgia. At first, it wasn’t a country I had ever considered, but the more research I did, the more it made sense. The universities offered internationally recognised programs, the admission process was more straightforward, and it gave me the opportunity to actually start pursuing my career without spending years reapplying back home.

After speaking with students who were already studying there and learning more about what the experience was actually like, I decided to take the leap. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

“You're Moving Where?” - Breaking the News to My Family

People always ask me how my family and friends reacted when I told them my plan. To be fair, they weren’t completely shocked - mostly because they knew how badly I wanted to study dentistry and that I was willing to do whatever it took to make it happen.

The funny part was that when I first told people I was moving to Georgia, a lot of them thought I meant Georgia the US state, not the country! That definitely led to a few confused conversations and a lot of laughs.

At first, most people thought it was a pretty crazy idea to move halfway across the world for dental school. There were a lot of questions about why Georgia and what life would be like there. But once I explained that there were already a number of Australian students studying here and that it was a pathway others had successfully taken, they became much more comfortable with the idea. Now that they’ve seen me settle in and progress through dental school, they’re a lot more supportive and confident that it was the right decision.

Getting In (And the Reality of Agency Fees)

Looking back, getting there was much easier than most people expect. Once I decided that studying dentistry in Georgia was the right path for me, the admissions process was actually quite fast and straightforward.

I initially applied through an agency, and they were helpful in guiding me through the paperwork and assisting with the recognition of credits from my previous pre-medical degree. Thanks to that, I was able to receive credit for a number of subjects I had already completed, which made the transition much smoother.

One thing I did notice, however, was how much some agencies charge - especially considering most applicants are students already dealing with tuition fees, flights, and relocation costs. Having gone through the process myself, I realised that while guidance is valuable, the fees can sometimes be difficult to justify.

As I started sharing my journey on TikTok and showing what life is really like as an international dental student in Georgia, more and more students began reaching out. That naturally led me to start helping students with their own applications. For me, it’s never really been about running an agency. It’s about helping students navigate a pathway that I personally went through, answering questions honestly, and making the transition as smooth as possible. Since I’ve lived the experience firsthand, students know they’re getting advice from someone who’s actually studying dentistry in Georgia rather than someone simply selling a destination.

What Studying Here is Actually Like vs. Back Home

Adapting to a new country also meant adapting to a completely new academic system. Here is a breakdown of the biggest differences I experienced transitioning from my Australian Health Sciences degree to a Georgian dental program:

Feature	Australian System	Georgian System
Delivery	Heavily online	In-person (Lectures, labs, practicals)
Assessment	Online quizzes and exams	Weekly oral testing, paper quizzes, computer exams
Patients	Generally provided	Student's responsibility to source patients
Language	English	English (with Georgian language classes)

The biggest adjustment is probably how continuous the assessment is. In Georgia, we’re orally tested every week on the material covered in the previous class for most subjects. At first, that was something I wasn’t used to, but it definitely forces you to stay on top of the content rather than cramming before exams.

Another major difference is that everything is delivered in person. Whether it’s a lecture, laboratory session, or clinical practical, attendance is expected. Given that dentistry is such a hands-on profession, I actually appreciate that approach.

Finding Patients and Surviving the Language Barrier

One thing that surprises a lot of people is that the university doesn’t provide patients for you. As dental students, we’re responsible for finding our own patients, which usually means asking in student group chats, community groups, or simply bringing friends and family members. It sounds intimidating at first, but in reality, it tends to work out quite well.

As for the language, everything in the dental program is taught in English, so there’s no requirement to be fluent in Georgian. That said, learning the Georgian language is actually a subject within the program, which has been a really fun part of the experience. Learning basic phrases helps a lot and gives you a deeper appreciation for the culture.

I’ve found that language barriers aren’t as big of an issue as many people expect. The younger generation, in particular, speaks and understands English quite well. There have definitely been a few funny moments where I’ve tried using my Georgian and completely butchered the pronunciation, only to have the patient switch to perfect English and save the conversation. Those moments are always humbling!

Let's Talk Money and Mental Health

Compared to Australia, the cost of living is noticeably lower. Accommodation, food, transportation, and day-to-day expenses are generally much more affordable, which takes a lot of financial pressure off students.

One thing that attracts many international students is the tuition fees. Depending on the university, you’re generally looking at around USD 5,000-6,000 per year, which is significantly lower than what many students would expect to pay in Australia, the UK, or other parts of Europe. As for hidden costs, I personally haven’t encountered any major surprises. The overall expenses are more predictable than I initially expected.

However, one thing people don’t talk about enough is the mental toll of being so far away from your support network.

Social media can make studying abroad look exciting all the time, but there are definitely moments when you miss family events, birthdays, holidays, and simply being around the people you’ve known your whole life. Academically, you’re also adapting to a completely different system while trying to build a new life. During the first few months, you’re not just learning dentistry - you’re learning how to navigate a different culture, healthcare system, language, and way of life. It takes time to find your rhythm.

Will I Go Back to Australia? (And My Biggest Piece of Advice)

Australia has always been the place where I ultimately want to practise, and that goal hasn’t changed. My family, friends, and long-term future are there. That being said, studying abroad has definitely opened my eyes to how many opportunities exist internationally. I’ve met students and professionals from all over the world, and it’s made me realise that there isn’t just one pathway to becoming a dentist.

If I could go back in time to Day 1 of packing my bags in Australia, my biggest piece of advice to myself would be that time is going to fly by much faster than you think.

When you’re standing in the airport saying goodbye to your family, it feels like such a huge chapter ahead of you. You think you have all the time in the world. Then suddenly you’re looking back wondering where the years went. So, enjoy every moment. The good days, the difficult days, the stressful exams, the random late-night conversations with friends, the weekend trips, and even the moments when things don’t go according to plan.

You will miss home, and there will be times when it’s hard. But whenever that happens, remember why you made the decision in the first place. Remember the goal, remember the sacrifices, and remember how badly you wanted this opportunity. The difficult moments pass, but the experience and growth stay with you forever.

If you’d like to follow my journey, here’s a link to my TikTok: @elchamiadonis

How Should I Prepare for the MCAT?

2025-08-08T00:00:00Z

What is the MCAT and Why is It So Important?

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam that medical schools use to see if you have the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to succeed in their programs. It’s more than just a science test; it assesses your ability to solve problems, analyze data, and read critically.

Your MCAT score is one of the most important parts of your medical school application. A strong score demonstrates that you're ready for the academic challenges ahead and can make your application stand out. This guide will walk you through how to prepare effectively to earn the score you deserve.

Phase 1: Building Your Content Foundation

This is the first and most crucial phase of your prep. The goal here is to learn, understand, and review the concepts and facts that the MCAT covers.

Timeline: Most students spend the first 1.5 to 3 months of their study plan focused on content.

What You Need to Know: The exam is broken into four sections:

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys): Your knowledge of general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry will be tested here.
Critical Analysis and Reading Skills (CARS): This is the MCAT's version of a reading comprehension section. You'll read passages on humanities and social science topics and answer questions about them. No prior knowledge is required, just sharp analytical skills.
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/Biochem): This section dives deep into introductory biology, molecular biology, and especially biochemistry.
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc): Here, you'll be tested on introductory psychology, sociology, and how biology influences behavior.

Top-Tier Resources:

AAMC Content Outline: Your first stop should be the AAMC's official outline. It lists every single topic that could be on the test. Use this as your master checklist. Source: AAMC, "What's on the MCAT® Exam?"
MCAT Prep Books: Companies like Kaplan, The Princeton Review, and others offer excellent book sets that cover the AAMC outline in a structured way.
Khan Academy: In partnership with the AAMC, Khan Academy provides a fantastic and free video library and question set covering all the science topics.
Anki: This is a powerful, free flashcard app that uses a technique called spaced repetition to help you memorize information efficiently. Making your own cards is a great way to learn, but many high-quality, pre-made MCAT decks are also available.

Study Tip: Don't just passively read. Engage with the material! After a chapter, try to summarize it in your own words or work through practice problems without looking at the solutions first.

Phase 2: Practice, Application, and Analysis

Once you have a good handle on the content, it's time to shift gears. This phase is all about applying your knowledge to MCAT-style questions and full-length exams.

Timeline: This phase should make up the second half of your prep, from 1.5 to 3 months out from your test date.

Focus on Official AAMC Materials: While third-party resources are great for content review and early practice, nothing beats the official materials from the AAMC for realistic practice. Their questions and logic are the most representative of the real deal.

AAMC Section Bank & Question Packs: These are bundles of official practice questions that are perfect for drilling weak spots and getting used to the test's format. The Section Bank is known for being especially challenging and is great for working on your data analysis skills.
AAMC Full-Length Practice Exams: These are essential. You should plan to take all of them under timed, test-like conditions. They are the best predictor of your future score.

The Review Process: Where Real Progress Happens

Simply taking a practice test isn't enough. The most critical part of this phase is reviewing your performance in detail. For every practice test or question set:

Create an Error Log: Use a simple spreadsheet to track every question you got wrong or were unsure about.
Analyze Your Mistakes: For each error, figure out why you got it wrong. Was it a simple content gap? Did you misunderstand the passage or a graph? Did you run out of time?
Make a Plan: Based on your analysis, decide how you'll fix that type of error in the future. Maybe you need to re-read a chapter, make a few new flashcards, or practice a specific type of question.

This deep-dive analysis is how you'll see your score climb.

The Final Stretch and Test Day

The last few weeks are about building your mental endurance, fine-tuning your strategy, and walking into the test center with confidence.

The Last Month:

Go All-In on AAMC: Your practice should be almost exclusively AAMC material at this point to get your brain fully tuned to the test.
Simulate Test Day: Take your final practice exams under the most realistic conditions possible. Start at 8 AM, follow the exact timing and break schedule, and eat the snacks you plan to bring on the real day.

The Day Before:

Rest! Do not cram. Your brain needs to rest and consolidate everything you've learned. Do something relaxing like taking a walk or watching a movie.
Get Organized: Pack your bag with your valid ID, registration info, water, and snacks. Know exactly how you're getting to the test center.

On Test Day:

Trust Your Hard Work: You've put in hundreds of hours. Be confident in your preparation.
Manage the Clock: Stick to your timing strategy. If you hit a question that stumps you, make your best guess, flag it, and move on. You can always come back if you have time.
Use Your Breaks: Get up, stretch, have a snack, and clear your head between sections. It's crucial for staying fresh through the 7.5-hour exam.

Good luck!