Ari Horesh University of Pavia, Italy
11th of March, 2023The International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) is a highly competitive exam designed to assess the knowledge and skills of students seeking admission to medical schools in Italy. Every year, thousands of students from around the world sit for the exam, but only a limited number of seats are available, making the competition fierce. Every point on the exam can make a significant difference in determining a candidate’s chances of acceptance. In this article, we will explore the highest IMAT score ever recorded and examine whether it is possible to reach such a score on the exam.
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What is the IMAT?
The IMAT is a standardized exam administered by the Italian Ministry of Education, University, and Research. It is designed to assess a student’s critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and scientific knowledge. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions covering topics in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Logical Reasoning. The duration of the exam is 100 minutes, and each correct answer carries one point. The exam is held once a year in September, and Italian medical schools use the results to determine admission to the medical courses in English.
What Was The Highest IMAT Score Ever Recorded?
| Year | Highest IMAT Score |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 83.3 |
| 2021 | 78 |
| 2022 | 71 |
The highest recorded IMAT score to date is 83.3 out of 90, achieved by a student in 2020. While this is an exceptional achievement, it’s important to note that it’s an outlier and not typical of most test-takers. Approximately 10,000 candidates take the IMAT exam each year, and only 10-15 of them score higher than 68. The people who get such high scores are usually experienced students who have already studied a university subject in the past, with a combination of knowing most of the general knowledge questions. However, it’s worth noting that such extensive preparation is not necessary to pass the exam. To pass the IMAT exam, you need to be in the top 10% of test-takers, rather than the top 0.01%.
It’s not essential to have a strong academic background, and it is completely possible to pass the exam without background knowledge but with extensive preparation, and effective exam strategies so you can aim for a high score.
While achieving a very high score is impressive, gaining admission to an Italian medical school is unnecessary. Therefore, candidates should aim for a score of 54 or higher, which should be a sufficient score for both EU candidates and Non-EUs.
Is it Possible to Reach the Highest IMAT Score?
Every candidate has their own strategy and approach to the IMAT exam. Some prefer to attempt all questions and maximize their score (which usually never works, and these students most of the time fail the exam), while others choose to focus on their strengths and prioritize answering questions they are confident about.
I, as an IMAT candidate, scored close to 50 despite having ample time left to answer more questions. However, I stuck to my solid strategy, which I had developed months prior to the exam. I knew that attempting more questions at that point might make me lose crucial points and jeopardize my chances of getting into my desired medical school. It’s crucial to remember that the IMAT exam is about quality over quantity. The focus should be on answering the questions accurately and effectively rather than attempting as many questions as possible. It’s essential to trust the preparation, strategies, and time management skills that have been developed and avoid second-guessing them during the exam. Ultimately, aiming for a score that allow you to pass the exam and get admitted, not a score that will allow you to join the “hall of fame”
Students who to solve the entire paper to get as many points as possible without a solid strategy usually fail the exam, don’t try to be a topper. I know it’s a complete mindset change, but this exam is unique.
What IMAT Score Should Candidates Aim for?
The IMAT exam is a highly competitive test that requires a strategic approach to achieve a high score. To excel on the exam, candidates must have a deep understanding of the exam structure and develop effective strategies a few months before the exam itself, while practicing IMAT simulators. One critical aspect of a successful strategy is knowing which questions to skip and which to solve, which subject to start from, how many questions to guess and under what circumstances, and how to manage time effectively. These factors are critical in maximizing the score while keeping in mind the first choice university and the score required to pass the IMAT exam. It’s essential to develop a personalized strategy that considers the candidate’s strengths, weaknesses, and goals.
Managing Time
Managing time effectively is another critical aspect of a successful IMAT strategy. The exam is designed to be challenging, with 60 questions to be answered in 100 minutes. This means that candidates have less than two minutes to answer each question, including reading and analyzing the question.
Some questions are very easy to solve and take 15 seconds, and others might take 5 minutes. One of the most important part in a preparation is learning how to recognize these questions before answering them.
Candidates should allocate their time wisely, focusing on answering the questions they are confident about and leaving the more challenging ones until the end. It’s also essential to keep track of time and pace themselves, ensuring they have enough time to review their answers before the exam concludes. It is also highly recommended to get used to pacing your time while studying for the IMAT exam and taking simulators, and not only on the day of the exam itself.
Aiming for the Right Score
Ultimately, candidates should aim for a score that is competitive for admission to most medical schools in Italy. This score will vary depending on the candidate’s first-choice university and the number of available seats. However, aiming for a score of 54-55 or higher is a good target for most students, however, some universities are less competitive than that. Aiming to 54-55 will demonstrate a strong grasp of the exam content.
It’s essential to consider the competitiveness of the applicant pool and ensure the score is realistic and achievable with the right preparation and strategy. By developing a personalized strategy that considers time management, exam content, and the candidate’s goals, it’s possible to achieve a high score on the IMAT exam and gain admission to an Italian medical school.
Conclusion
The IMAT exam is a significant milestone for any student looking to study medicine in Italy. Achieving a high score on the exam requires a combination of a strong learning habits, extensive preparation, and effective exam strategies.
While the highest IMAT score ever recorded is an impressive achievement, it’s important to note that it’s an outlier and not typical of most test-takers. Instead of aiming for the highest score, candidates should aim for a score that is competitive for admission to most medical schools in Italy, keeping in mind their first-choice university and the number of available seats, and past scores.
Effective strategies include knowing which questions to skip and which to solve, how many questions to guess and under what circumstances, which subject to start from, and how to manage time effectively. Managing time wisely and pacing oneself is also critical to a successful strategy. By developing these strategies and trusting the preparation, candidates can achieve their best possible score on the IMAT exam and gain admission to an Italian medical school.
