The IMAT 2024 (International Medical Admissions Test), held on September 17, 2024, proved to be an intriguing challenge for aspiring medical students. While many regarded it as one of the more straightforward IMAT exams compared to previous years, it included unexpected elements that caught students off guard. The exam was conducted in international centers and Italian centers, providing accessibility to candidates from around the world. Approximately 11,000 students participated in this highly competitive exam, all vying for a limited number of spots in English-taught medical programs in Italy. A closer look at each section reveals both the exam’s accessibility and its nuanced difficulty.
- Logics and problem-solving
Questions in this section were not very challenging or tricky. The pattern was similar to previous years, and students were able to answer the questions. The best strategy for this section is to practice!
The average score for all candidates: 2.99/7.5 - General Knowledge and reading skills
This section of the exam is always unpredictable. General knowledge questions can cover a wide range of topics, and there is no specific limit to the information that may be included. You could encounter questions about history, current events, culture, politics, or any other topic. Therefore, itʼs important to stay informed across various areas to improve your chances of scoring well on this part of the exam.
The average score for all candidates: 1.85/6 - Biology and Physiology
Twenty-three questions have been written for the biology section.
These questions are from the following topics:
1. Cellular Respiration – 2 Questions
2. Water molecules – 1 Question (This topic was mixed with chemical bonding)
3. Carbohydrate molecules – 1 Question
4. Nucleic acids – 2 Questions
5. Transport of substances – 1 Question
6. Basic concepts of cell biology – 3 Questions
7. Cell organelles – 4 Questions
8. Translation – 3 Questions
9. Cell membrane – 1 Question
10. Genetics – 4 Questions
11. DNA Replication – 1 Question
The biology section of the IMAT 2024 exam was notably one of the easiest in recent years. The majority of the questions focused on basic concepts and definitions, with a primary emphasis on cell biology. This section was designed in a way that did not include particularly challenging questions, making it accessible to a wide range of students.
I. Emphasis on Fundamentals: Most questions tested fundamental knowledge rather than advanced or complex topics. Students who had a average understanding of basic biological principles found the questions straightforward.
II. Focus on Cell Biology: A significant portion of the exam concentrated on cell biology, indicating its importance in the curriculum and the need for students to have a solid grasp of this area.
III. Accessibility: The simplicity of the questions meant that even those who had only covered the basics could perform well. There was less reliance on critical thinking or problem-solving skills and more on recall of information.
IV. Scoring Potential: Given the nature of the questions, it was very feasible for students to answer 20 to 23 questions correctly. This high-scoring potential could positively impact overall exam results for many candidates.
The IMAT 2024 biology section was structured to assess studentsʼ foundational knowledge, particularly in cell biology. The lack of challenging questions made it one of the more accessible exams, allowing well-prepared students to achieve high scores. This approach underscores the importance of mastering basic concepts in biology as a strategy for success in the IMAT exam.
The average score for all candidates: 23.89/34.5 - Chemistry
Fifteen questions have been written for the biology section. These questions are from the following topics:
1. Chemical problems – 7 Questions
2. Gas Laws – 2 Questions
3. Chemical Reactions – 1 Question
4. Acid and Base – 2 Questions
5. Oxidation and reduction – 1 Question
6. Organic Chemistry – 2 Questions
The chemistry section for IMAT 2024 was also easy. Students could answer most questions using basic knowledge. The majority of the questions focused on problem-solving in chemistry. Unfortunately, similar to the biology section, many expected topics from the exam syllabus were not covered.
I. Emphasis on Fundamentals: Most of the questions tested fundamental knowledge rather than advanced or complex topics. Students with an average understanding of basic chemistry principles found the questions relatively straightforward. However, developing strong problem-solving skills in chemistry remains important for success on this test.
II. Focus on Chemistry problems: A significant portion of the exam concentrated on chemistry problems, indicating its importance in the curriculum and the need for students to have a solid grasp of this area.
III. Accessibility: Only a very limited number of topics from the exam syllabus were selected, which made the test less challenging. Standard exams should cover a broad range of topics rather than focusing heavily on just one or two areas. There was less reliance on critical thinking or problem-solving skills and more on recall of information.
IV. Scoring Potential: Given the nature of the questions, it was very feasible for students to answer 10 to 12 questions correctly. This high-scoring potential could positively impact overall exam results for many candidates. The chemistry section of IMAT 2024 was easy, focusing mostly on basic knowledge and problem-solving. Many expected topics from the syllabus were not covered, which made the test less challenging. Most questions emphasized fundamental concepts rather than advanced ones, allowing students with average knowledge to perform well. The limited coverage of topics reduced the need for critical thinking, but students could still score well, with many able to answer 10 to 12 questions correctly, boosting overall results.
The average score for all candidates: 6.73/22.5 - Mathematics
Seven questions have been written for mathematics. These questions are from the following topics:
1. Numerical Sets and Algebra – 2 Questions
2. Functions – 1 Question
3. Probability – 1 Question
4. Geometry – 3 Questions
The mathematics questions of the IMAT 2024 exam were not very difficult. The level of difficulty is moderate. The questions very much followed the trend of the past year. Topics like Geometry and algebra are very high-yielding. There were questions from all the major sections as given in the syllabus.
I. Past Year Comparison: Compared to IMAT 2023, which had eight questions in Mathematics, IMAT 2024 had seven questions. IMAT 2023 and IMAT 2024 had 1 question from Inequalities, one from Probability, one from simplifying the algebraic expression, and one from functions involving logarithmic properties. Solving and analyzing past papers is very important.
II. Focus on Geometry: Geometry is a critical topic for IMAT. Focus on the basics of geometry, like measuring areas and volumes and the advanced theorems of circles and triangles.
III. Accessibility: Some questions (like 48 and 50) are reasonably direct and approachable for students familiar with the topics. However, others, like question 52 (circle geometry) and question 51 (inequality), are more advanced and require a strong foundation in mathematical concepts.
IV. Scoring: Students with a solid understanding of the topics can quickly get 5 – 6 questions correct, but some questions require more profound thought, which may challenge those with a weaker grasp of the concepts. Students with weaker grasp are expected to solve fairly direct questions and can quickly get 3 – 4 questions correct.
The IMAT 2024 mathematics section featured various concepts, ensuring students who had prepared across different topics could find questions that suited their strengths. This diversity in question types allowed for a more inclusive approach, where students with varying levels of preparation could answer at least some questions correctly, depending on the specific topics they were familiar with.
The average score for all candidates (Together with physics): 6.70/19.5 - Physics
Six questions have been written for physics. These questions are from the following topics:
1. Kinematics – 2 Questions
2. Dynamics – 1 Question
3. Thermodynamics – 1 Question
Electricity and Electromagnetism – 2 Questions
The difficulty level of physics questions for IMAT 2024 was varied. There were straightforward formula-based questions (like Q57), some moderate-level questions (like Q56, Q59, etc), and one difficult question (Q58). There were no questions about fluid mechanics and Physical Quantities & their measurements.
I. Past Year Comparison: As compared to IMAT 2023, which had five questions for physics, IMAT 2024 had six questions. There was a significant difference between the types of questions asked in both years. This showcases the unpredictable nature of the IMAT exam.
II. Kinematics: Receiving questions on simple harmonic motion (SHM) and oscillations within the broader topic of kinematics was an unexpected shift. Typically, students anticipate questions focusing on velocity, acceleration, and related aspects of motion in kinematics. This departure from the norm made the physics section more diverse and tested a comprehensive range of concepts.
III. Accessibility: A fair number of questions are based on straightforward formulas (eg; – power, resistance, pressure-volume relationship). However, conceptual questions such as Q58 (electron motion in a magnetic field) were trickier for students unfamiliar with deeper electromagnetism. To solve Q58, a student must understand the intersection between electromagnetism and circular motion, making it challenging.
IV. Scoring: Students with a solid understanding of the topics can quickly get 3 – 4 questions correct. There was one question (Q55) that was weird because its options were incorrect. Students with weaker grasp are expected to solve formula-based questions and can quickly get 2 – 3 questions correct.
The IMAT 2024 physics section featured a mix of questions from commonly studied topics and new areas, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of student knowledge. Notably, questions like Q58 and Q59 highlight the possibility of encountering entirely new concepts in the exam, keeping students on their toes. Unlike mathematics, there was no repetition of ideas from last year.
The average score for all candidates (Together with mathematics): 6.70/19.5
Overall, the IMAT 2024 exam was not challenging, reflected in the total average score of 42.16/90. Thirty-nine students scored above 80, while 566 students achieved over 70 points in this exam.
