The IMAT syllabus, by subject.
Everything examinable across the 60 questions — defined by the Italian Ministry (MUR, Annex A of the admissions decree) and unchanged since the 2024 restructure.
23
Biology
23 questions- The chemistry of living things
- Weak interactions; organic molecules — carbohydrates, lipids, proteins & amino acids; nucleotides & nucleic acids (DNA/RNA); enzymes.
- The cell
- Cell theory; prokaryotic vs eukaryotic cells; membranes & transport (diffusion, osmosis, active transport); organelles; cell wall.
- Bioenergetics
- ATP & energy; cellular respiration; photosynthesis; fermentation; enzyme catalysis.
- Reproduction & inheritance
- Cell cycle, mitosis & meiosis; Mendel’s laws; alleles, dominance, linkage; genetic maps; chromosomal theory.
- Molecular biology
- DNA structure & replication; transcription & translation; gene expression; genetic code; mutations.
- Genetic engineering & biotechnology
- Recombinant DNA, PCR, cloning, applications.
- Inheritance & evolution
- Natural selection, evolutionary theory, speciation.
- Human anatomy & physiology
- Tissues; nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, immune and skeletal/muscular systems; homeostasis.
15
Chemistry
15 questions- Composition of matter
- States of matter; heterogeneous/homogeneous systems; compounds and elements.
- Atomic structure
- Atomic theory; sub-atomic particles; atomic & mass number, isotopes; electron configuration.
- Periodic table & periodicity
- Groups, periods, periodic trends and chemical properties.
- Chemical bonding
- Ionic, covalent, metallic bonds; molecular geometry; intermolecular forces.
- Inorganic chemistry
- Nomenclature & classification (oxides, hydroxides, acids, salts).
- Reactions & stoichiometry
- The mole and Avogadro’s constant; balancing equations; stoichiometric calculations (gases, solutions); reaction types.
- Solutions
- Concentration units; properties of solutions.
- Redox, acids & bases
- Oxidation numbers & balancing redox; Arrhenius / Brønsted–Lowry; pH.
- Equilibrium & kinetics
- Chemical equilibrium, reaction kinetics and catalysis.
- Organic chemistry
- Hydrocarbons (aliphatic, aromatic); functional groups — alcohols, ethers, aldehydes/ketones, carboxylic acids; isomerism; nomenclature.
13
Physics & Mathematics
13 questions- Physics — measurements & mechanics
- Scalar/vector quantities, SI units; kinematics (velocity, acceleration, circular & harmonic motion); dynamics (Newton’s laws, momentum, friction); work, energy & power.
- Physics — fluids & thermodynamics
- Density, pressure, Archimedes’ principle; ideal gases, heat, temperature, laws of thermodynamics.
- Physics — electricity & magnetism
- Electrostatics, electric fields & potential, circuits (Ohm’s law), magnetism.
- Maths — algebra & functions
- Number sets; powers, absolute value, identities; equations & inequalities; radicals, logarithms, exponentials; linear, quadratic, exponential & log functions.
- Maths — geometry & trigonometry
- Plane & solid geometry (area, perimeter, volume); analytic geometry & conics; trigonometric functions.
- Maths — arithmetic, statistics & probability
- Ratios & proportions, percentages; statistics; probability; permutations & combinations.
5
Logical reasoning
5 questions- Problem solving
- Selecting relevant information; finding procedures; identifying similarity; data interpretation; sequences and patterns.
- Logical reasoning
- Deductive & inductive reasoning; syllogisms & analogies; drawing conclusions; identifying assumptions; spotting flawed arguments. (Since 2024, quick inference over formal “critical thinking” puzzles.)
4
Reading & general knowledge
4 questions- Reading comprehension
- Understanding English texts of varied kinds; textual coherence; vocabulary.
- General knowledge
- Literature, history, geography, politics, economics, philosophy, art; current affairs; international institutions (incl. the EU); everyday science & technology.
Source: MUR Decreto ministeriale n. 599 del 07-08-2025, Allegato A (2025 syllabus), corroborated across prep sources. Topic headings are high-confidence on categories; verify exact wording against the official decree. The 2026 syllabus is expected to match — confirm on Universitaly when the 2026 bando is published.
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