IMAT disabilities SLD: what the national rule covers
Under the Ministry of University and Research's (MUR) national announcement for the IMAT 2026 admission round, every Italian university has to organise its admission test in a way that considers the individual needs of candidates with a disability or impairment under Law no. 104/1992, and candidates with a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) under Law no. 170/2010. Together, these are the two categories the term “IMAT disabilities SLD” refers to throughout this guide.
The national rule sets a floor, not a single procedure — each university then runs its own request process, with its own deadline, its own contact email, and in some cases its own online form. That's what this guide is for: the shared national rules first, then a university-by-university reference table so you know exactly who to contact and by when. For the general IMAT 2026 timeline and format, see the IMAT 2026 hub.
Who qualifies for test aids
Candidates can request support during the test if they hold:
- A disability certificate, i.e. certification under Law no. 104/1992, or
- An SLD diagnosis under Law no. 170/2010
The request must be made according to the procedure stated in your first-choice university's own official announcement — there is no single national portal for this, so the university you register for the test with is the one that decides and delivers your accommodations.
Extra time and other available aids
a) Disability (Law no. 104/1992)
Submit the original or a certified copy of the certificate issued by the relevant medical commission (National Health Service facilities, or specialists and facilities accredited by the regional health service). The certificate must describe the type of disability and/or degree of handicap.
Up to 50% extra time.
b) SLD (Law no. 170/2010)
Submit the original or a certified copy of the SLD diagnosis, issued by National Health Service facilities or specialists and facilities accredited by the regional health service. Per the 2011 Ministerial Guidelines, the diagnosis must be issued within the last 3 years if made before age 18, or issued after turning 18.
Up to 30% extra time. In cases of serious SLD, universities may offer additional support, as long as it stays fair and suitable for the test.
Beyond extra time, the specific supports and aids that can be requested include:
- An escort to and from the test room
- In cases of particularly severe, certified SLD: a non-scientific calculator, a video magnifier, or assistance by a reader
- Any other aid, to be specified in the request
What to submit
In summary: you can request aid if you meet the requirements above and have a valid certificate in hand. Send an email to your first-choice university specifying the supports, aids, or compensatory measures required, and attach:
- Certificate of the diagnosis
- A valid identity or identification document
- A copy of your IMAT registration document
Deadlines matter here more than almost anywhere else in the IMAT process. Miss your university's request deadline, and there's no guarantee accommodations can be arranged in time for test day — check the exact date for your first-choice university in the table below, and don't assume it lines up with the general registration deadline.
Outdated certification due to Covid-19
If a candidate's documentation is not updated because of delays in the public health service (SSN) during the Covid-19 pandemic, they can still take the test using the medical certification they currently have. The university may, however, later ask for updated documents.
What's still not allowed, even with aids
Test aids are specific, not a general exemption from the test's rules. In any case, the following tools are not allowed:
- Dictionary
- Periodic table of elements
- Concept map
- Personal computer or tablet
- Smart watch
- Smartphone
Candidates from abroad
Candidates with disabilities, impairments, or SLD who live in another country must:
- Submit legal medical documentation from their country showing their condition
- Include a sworn or certified translation into Italian or English
The university will check that the foreign documentation proves a condition that is recognised under Italian law before granting any accommodation.
How to request aids, step by step
- Confirm your first-choice university, since that's the one that assesses and grants your accommodations.
- Check that university's specific procedure and deadline in the table below (some use a plain email, others require an online form).
- Gather your certificate/diagnosis, ID document, and IMAT registration document.
- Submit your request through the exact channel your university specifies — email, portal, or both, as required.
- Where an interview is offered or required (for example for particularly complex situations), take it — it's how staff match the aid to your actual needs.
Note: please make sure that you follow the deadlines to ensure your request is considered. A late request, even with valid documentation, risks not being processed in time for the test.
IMAT disabilities SLD contacts, by university
Where a university's own material didn't state a fixed deadline, that's marked below rather than guessed — confirm directly with the university if no date is shown.
| University | Deadline | How to request & contact |
|---|---|---|
| Sapienza University | By the test registration deadline | Email testaccesso.inclusione@uniroma1.it, and also indicate your preferences in the Infostud system. General questions: servizio.disabilita@uniroma1.it (disability/invalidity) or servizio.dsa@uniroma1.it (SLD) |
| Milano (Statale) | 9 Sep 2026 | Submit online via the university's ELIX form. More info: ausili.ammissioni@unimi.it |
| Milano-Bicocca | 9 Sep 2026 | Email supporti.ammissioni@unimib.it with subject line “TEST MEDICINE AND SURGERY – REQUEST FOR SUPPORTS.” Outdated certificates must be updated before enrolment, or an Individual University Plan can't be created. |
| Padova | 3pm, 9 Sep 2026 | Email inclusione.studenti@unipd.it. Personalised teaching plans (PDP), SLD diagnoses issued before the final term of secondary school, and/or diagnoses from non-accredited private individuals are not accepted under any circumstances. Complex cases can request a dedicated appointment via the Inclusion Department's online form. |
| Federico II | 15:00, 9 Sep 2026 | Email (PEC) area.studenti@pec.unina.it |
| Bologna | 15:00, 9 Sep 2026 | Exclusively through Studenti Online — “Calls” > arrangements for the Medicine and Surgery / Veterinary Medicine admission test, with the signed form and certification uploaded. Email or in-person requests are not accepted. Contact: ases.adattamentiammissione@unibo.it |
| Campania Luigi Vanvitelli | Not stated — check with the university | Submit via the university's ELIX online form, together with the appropriate medical documentation. |
| Bari | 9 Sep 2026 | Complete the form on Bari's website and submit with required documents to universitabari@pec.it. Contacts: benedetto.mastropietro@uniba.it, gaetano.pace@uniba.it |
| Turin | 9 Sep 2026 | Email ufficio.disabili@unito.it |
| Catania | Not stated — check with the university | Email cs.cinap@unict.it |
| Tor Vergata | Not stated — check with the university | Email segreteria@caris.uniroma2.it (CARIS Secretariat, students with disabilities and DSA). In-person by appointment: Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00–12:00, and Wed 14:00–16:00. |
| Pavia | 15 Sep 2026 | Certificates must be sent via Pavia's direct-line portal (filodiretto.unipv.it). |
| Siena | Not stated — check with the university | Email disabilita@unisi.it (physical disabilities) or servizidsa@unisi.it (SLD). Complex cases can request a meeting with the Student Community Inclusion Unit. |
| Cagliari | 21 Sep 2026 | Complete the dedicated form and submit it, with supporting documentation, to S.I.A. (Servizi per l'Inclusione e l'Apprendimento) – Ufficio Disabilità: tutor.sia@unica.it. Aids are assessed following an interview with dedicated staff. |
| Parma | 3pm, 9 Sep 2026 | Use the university's admission-programme application form and email it to protocollo.cai@unipr.it |
| Messina | Not stated — check with the university | Register on the ESSE3 platform and, from your reserved area, complete the “Request for aids” and “Disability/SLD Declaration” procedures. Contact: servizi.dd@unime.it or +39 090 676 5066 |
| Marche (Ancona) | 9 Sep 2026 | Email concorsimed@univpm.it |
All deadlines run on Italian time. If your first-choice university isn't listed above, or if a deadline shown here looks out of date, contact that university's admissions office directly — individual pages are updated on their own schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Candidates with a disability certificate under Law no. 104/1992, or a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) diagnosis under Law no. 170/2010, can request support during the test. This includes extra time and other tools or aids, requested according to the procedure stated in each university's own official announcement.
Candidates with a certified disability can receive up to 50% extra time. Candidates with an SLD diagnosis can receive up to 30% extra time under the 2011 Ministerial Guidelines. In cases of particularly severe, certified SLD, universities may offer additional support beyond that, as long as it stays fair and suitable for the test.
You need the original or a certified copy of your disability certificate or SLD diagnosis, a valid identity document, and a copy of your IMAT registration document, sent by email to your first-choice university specifying which supports, aids or compensatory measures you're requesting.
No. Most universities align their aids-request deadline with the standard IMAT registration deadline (9 September 2026), but some set their own date, such as Cagliari (21 September 2026) or Pavia (15 September 2026). Always check the deadline for your specific first-choice university rather than assuming the national registration date applies.
If your documentation is not updated because of delays in the public health service (SSN) during the Covid-19 pandemic, you can still take the test using the medical certification you currently have. The university may later ask you for updated documents.
A dictionary, periodic table of elements, concept map, personal computer or tablet, smart watch, and smartphone are not allowed, even for candidates with approved aids. Approved aids are limited to what's specifically granted, such as extra time, an escort, or (in severe certified SLD cases) a non-scientific calculator, video magnifier or reader.
Candidates with disabilities, impairments or SLD who live in another country must submit legal medical documentation from their country showing their condition, together with a sworn or certified translation into Italian or English. The university checks that the foreign documentation proves a condition recognised under Italian law.
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This guide summarises the MUR announcement on test arrangements for candidates with disabilities, impairments or Specific Learning Disorders, together with each university's own published procedure for the IMAT 2026 admission round, as of 4 September 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal or admissions advice. Always verify deadlines, contact details and requirements against your first-choice university's own current page before making decisions — administrative details can change after this guide was written.
3 Comments
Hello, for an EU Student with a diagnosis of ADHD who will be sitting the IMAT Exam in 2026 outside of Italy (in Ireland), do you still contact your first choice university directly for enquiries regarding exam accommodations for those with a disability even though the IMAT is not being taken in the first choice university but is being taken in another country?
Thank you for your help,
Caroline
Dear Caroline,
Yes, you should contact your first-choice university and send them your documents to explain your situation. After reviewing your case, the university will let you know whether you’re qualified and, if applicable, confirm the extra time allowance.
We’ll share more updates about this process around 1–2 months before the IMAT exam.
Thank you for your comment.
Thank you so much for your help.
Caroline