The Ultimate IMAT 2026 Syllabus Guide: Official vs. Detailed Breakdown
Understanding the IMAT 2026 Syllabus is the first step to passing the exam. It has been years since the official IMAT syllabus last changed. Typically, the Ministry of Education publishes the syllabus for candidates only 1-2 months before the exam.
To help you prepare effectively, we have developed a COMPLETE GUIDELINE for candidates mastering the IMAT 2026 Syllabus. This resource includes the true strategy, recommended sources, and a complete, detailed syllabus. We highly recommend that students download and carefully read this file.
Why You Need a Detailed IMAT 2026 Syllabus
A major concern for candidates is that the official IMAT syllabus often lacks precision regarding topic details and boundaries, creating confusion. Every year, we receive numerous inquiries about these specifics. Consequently, we decided to write this specific blog within the IMAT Starter Pack to provide the full details of the exam syllabus.
Important Note
While some topics may not have appeared in past papers since 2011, this does not mean they are excluded from the IMAT Syllabus. Unfortunately, some sources encourage students to skip these topics, a strategy we do not recommend. The exam over the last 3 years has proven to be unpredictable.
Below, we discuss each section, the number of questions, the Official Syllabus, and our expanded Locomotive Detailed IMAT Syllabus Breakdown.
1. Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving
Questions: 5 (Based on the latest update).
Official IMAT Syllabus for Logic
Locomotive's Expanded IMAT 2026 Syllabus Breakdown
These questions assess your ability to analyze arguments, identify assumptions, evaluate evidence, recognize patterns, and solve problems using structured reasoning.
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Foundations of Reasoning
- Claims & Statements
- Judging Claims
- Identifying Arguments
- Argument Structure (Reasons + Conclusions)
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Assumptions & Flaws
- Assumptions
- Flaws & Logical Fallacies
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Argument Analysis
- Analysing Arguments
- Complex Arguments
- Critical Evaluation of Arguments
- Responding to Arguments
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Inference & Interpretation
- Inference
- Hypotheses, Reasons & Explanations
- Evaluating Evidence & Credibility
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Logical Relationships
- Necessity & Sufficiency
- Validity, Soundness & Conditionals
- Deductive vs. Non-deductive Reasoning
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Problem-Solving Skills
- Selecting & Using Information
- Processing Data
- Recognising Patterns
- Spatial/Visual Reasoning
- Decision Making
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Quantitative & Model-Based Reasoning
- Reasoning with Statistics
- Using Models / Decision Trees
- Probability & Tree Diagrams
2. Reading Skills and General Knowledge
Questions: 4 (Based on the latest update).
Official IMAT Syllabus for General Knowledge
The ability to understand written texts in English of different types and with different communicative purposes constitutes a transversal competence, since all types of questions will be formulated in English, also making use of symbolic language.
The following abilities will also be specifically assessed:
- Understanding abstract, uncommon, or specialized vocabulary in real contexts; identifying textual cohesion and coherence;
- Extracting and inferring specific information from a text.
These abilities will be assessed through short texts from scientific essays or from classical and contemporary narrative works, as well as short current-affairs texts published in newspapers and in general or specialized magazines.
Based again on short texts of various types and topics, the competencies acquired in previous studies and knowledge of general culture, including supranational contexts or topics related to contemporary public debate, will also be assessed. In particular, the questions will aim to verify:
- The ability to orient oneself in the represented space and time, that is, to place significant historical and cultural phenomena in space and time;
- Knowledge of the main national and international institutions;
- Understanding of phenomena related to the legal, economic, and citizenship domains.
Locomotive's Expanded IMAT 2026 Syllabus Breakdown
Reading Skills- Text Comprehension: Understanding written English passages, Identifying explicit information, Inferring implicit information, Extracting specific details.
- Vocabulary: Abstract vocabulary, Uncommon vocabulary, Subject-specific / semi-technical vocabulary.
- Text Structure: Cohesion (connectors, references), Coherence (logical flow, thematic progression).
- Interpretation of Various Text Types: Scientific essays, Classical literature, Contemporary literature, Current-affairs texts (newspapers, magazines).
- Cultural & Historical Awareness: Understanding major historical and cultural phenomena, Locating events and developments in time and space.
- National & International Institutions: Main political institutions, International organizations (EU, UN, WHO, etc.).
- Civic Knowledge: Law and citizenship, Basic legal concepts, Rights and duties of citizens.
- Economic Awareness: Basic economic concepts, Economy and society, Current economic issues, Basic macroeconomic ideas (inflation, GDP, unemployment).
- Contemporary Global Issues: Public-debate topics, Social, political, environmental issues, Global challenges.
- European Union structure and roles.
- Famous historical figures: Political leaders, scientists, writers, philosophers, major cultural contributors.
- Wars & historical conflicts: World Wars, important European conflicts, major global turning points.
- Historical timelines: Placing events in order, understanding the context, identifying the century/period.
- Cultural and societal developments: Renaissance, Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution, Cold War era, globalization.
3. Biology
Questions: 23 (The largest and most heavily weighted section).
Because the Biology section of the IMAT syllabus covers such a wide range of topics—from cell biology to genetics, biotechnology, evolution, and human physiology—students must study from multiple reliable resources.
Official IMAT Syllabus for Biology
- Chemistry of living organisms.
- The biological importance of weak interactions.
- Organic molecules found in living organisms and their respective functions. The role of enzymes.
- The cell as the basis of life. Cell theory. Cell size. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, animal and plant cells. Viruses.
- The cell membrane: structure and functions; transport across the membrane. Cellular structures and their specific functions.
- Cell cycle and cell reproduction: mitosis and meiosis - chromosomal set and chromosomal maps.
- Reproduction and heredity. Life cycles. Sexual and asexual reproduction. Mendelian genetics: Mendel's laws and their applications.
- Classical genetics: chromosomal theory of inheritance - inheritance models.
- Molecular genetics: structure and replication of DNA, the genetic code, protein synthesis. Prokaryotic DNA. Structure of the eukaryotic chromosome. Genes and regulation of gene expression.
- Human genetics: transmission of mono- and polyfactorial traits; autosomal and X-linked hereditary diseases.
- Mutations. Natural and artificial selection. Evolutionary theories. Genetic bases of evolution. Heredity and environment.
- Biotechnology: recombinant DNA technology and its applications.
- Animal and human anatomy and physiology. Animal tissues. Anatomy and physiology of systems and organs in humans and their interactions. Homeostasis.
- Bioenergetics. The energy currency of the cell: ATP. Oxidation-reduction reactions in living organisms. Energy processes: photosynthesis, glycolysis, aerobic respiration, and fermentation.
Locomotive's Expanded IMAT 2026 Syllabus Breakdown
- Chemistry of Life: Biological importance of weak interactions, Properties of water, Chemical interactions in living systems, Organic molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids), Enzymes (structure, function, regulation), ATP (structure and role).
- Cell Structure & Classification: Cell theory, Prokaryotic vs eukaryotic cells, Plant vs animal cells, Viruses, Cell size.
- Cell Membrane & Transport: Plasma membrane structure, Passive transport (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion), Active transport, Vesicular transport (endocytosis, exocytosis), Cell junctions.
- Cell Function & Communication: Cell organelles and their functions, Cell signalling, Cytoskeleton.
- Energy Processes (Bioenergetics): Redox reactions in living organisms, Cellular respiration (glycolysis, Krebs cycle, ETC), Photosynthesis.
- Cell Division: Cell cycle, Mitosis and Meiosis.
- Molecular Genetics: DNA structure & replication, Transcription, Translation, Genetic code, Chromosomes & chromatin, Chromosomal set and karyotype, Gene regulation.
- Mendelian Genetics: Genes and alleles, Mendel's laws, Monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, Patterns of inheritance, Exceptions to Mendelian laws.
- Human Genetics: Autosomal inheritance, X-linked inheritance, Polygenic traits, Multifactorial traits, Genetic diseases.
- Mutations & Evolution: Types of mutations, Natural and artificial selection, Evolutionary theories, Genetic basis of evolution, Interaction between heredity and environment.
- Biotechnology: Recombinant DNA technology, Genetic engineering applications.
- Tissues: Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nervous.
- Organ Systems: Muscular system, Cardiovascular system, Respiratory system, Digestive system, Renal/urinary system, Endocrine system, Nervous system, Sensory organs (ear, eye), Reproductive system, Immune system, Homeostasis principles.
4. Chemistry
Questions: 15.
This section of the IMAT syllabus covers a wide range of fundamental topics. Because it is both conceptual and calculation-based, students must build a strong understanding of theory and practice regularly.
Official IMAT Syllabus for Chemistry
- The constitution of matter: states of aggregation of matter; heterogeneous and homogeneous systems; compounds and elements.
- Laws of ideal gases.
- Atomic structure: elementary particles; atomic number and mass number; isotopes; electronic structure of atoms of the various elements.
- The periodic table of elements: groups and periods; transition elements. Periodic properties of the elements: atomic radius, ionization energy, electron affinity, metallic character. Relationships between electronic structure, position in the periodic table, and properties of the elements.
- Chemical bonding: ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds. Bond energy. Bond polarity. Electronegativity. Intermolecular forces.
- Fundamentals of inorganic chemistry: nomenclature and main properties of inorganic compounds-oxides, hydroxides, acids, and salts.
- Chemical reactions and stoichiometry: atomic and molecular mass, Avogadro's number, the concept of the mole and its applications, basic stoichiometric calculations, balancing simple reactions, and different types of chemical reactions.
- Solutions: solvent properties of water, solubility, and the main ways of expressing solution concentration.
- Equilibria in aqueous solutions.
- Elements of chemical kinetics and catalysis.
- Oxidation and reduction: oxidation number; concepts of oxidizing and reducing agents. Balancing simple reactions.
- Acids and bases: the concept of acids and bases; acidity, neutrality, and basicity of aqueous solutions. pH. Hydrolysis. Buffer solutions.
- Fundamentals of organic chemistry: bonds between carbon atoms; empirical and structural formulas; concept of isomerism. Aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Functional groups: alcohols, ethers, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amides. Elements of nomenclature.
Locomotive's Expanded IMAT 2026 Syllabus Breakdown
- Basic Concepts of Chemistry: States of matter, Heterogeneous vs. homogeneous systems, Elements and compounds, Extensive and Intensive properties.
- Ideal Gas Law: Boyle, Charles, Gay-Lussac, Ideal gas equation (PV=nRT).
- Atomic Structure: Subatomic particles, Atomic number & mass number, Isotopes, Electron configuration.
- Periodic Table: Groups & periods, Transition metals, Periodic trends (atomic radius, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, metallic character), Relationship between electron configuration & element properties.
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis: Factors affecting reaction rate, Role of catalysts.
- Redox Chemistry: Oxidation numbers, Oxidising vs. reducing agents, Balancing simple redox reactions.
- Chemical Bonding: Ionic bonding, Covalent bonding, Metallic bonding, Polarity of bonds, Lewis structures, Bond energy, Electronegativity, Intermolecular forces (H-bonds, dipole-dipole, London forces).
- Inorganic Nomenclature & Compounds: Oxides, Hydroxides, Acids, Salts, Naming rules.
- Chemical Reactions & Stoichiometry: Atomic & molecular mass, Mole and Avogadro number, Stoichiometric calculations, Balancing reactions, Concentration units (mol/L, %, ppm, etc.), Types of reactions (synthesis, decomposition, combustion, displacement, etc.).
- Chemical Equilibrium: Definitions and rules, Reversible reactions, Le Chatelier principles.
- Acids & Bases: Definitions, Theories (Arrhenius, Brønsted-Lowry, and Lewis), pH, pOH, Neutrality, acidity, basicity of salts, Hydrolysis, Buffer solutions.
- Organic Chemistry: Carbon bonding & hybridisation basics, Empirical vs. structural formulas, Isomerism.
- Hydrocarbons: Aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic.
- Functional Groups: (Properties, naming and chemical reactions): Alcohols, ethers, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amides.
- Basic organic nomenclature.
5. Mathematics
Mathematics and Physics together make up 13 questions in the IMAT syllabus. Although smaller than Biology or Chemistry, it is often one of the highest-scoring areas for students who practice consistently due to predictable question styles.
Official IMAT Syllabus for Mathematics
Numerical sets and algebra: Natural numbers, integers, rational, real numbers. Ordering and comparison; order of magnitude and scientific notation. Operations and their properties. Proportions and percentages. Powers with integer, rational exponents and their properties. Radicals and their properties. Logarithms (base 10 and base e) and their properties. Elements of combinatorics. Algebraic expressions, polynomials. Remarkable products, n-th power of a binomial, factoring polynomials. Algebraic fractions. Algebraic equations and inequalities of the first and second degree. Systems of equations.
Functions: Fundamental notions on functions and their graphical representations (domain, codomain, sign study, continuity, maxima and minima, increasing and decreasing, etc.). Elementary functions: whole and fractional algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric. Composite functions and inverse functions. Trigonometric equations and inequalities.
Geometry: Polygons and their properties. Circumference and circle. Measurements of lengths, surfaces and volumes. Isometries, similarities and equivalences in the plane. Geometric loci. Measurement of angles in degrees and radians. Sine, cosine, tangent of an angle and their notable values. Trigonometric formulas. Solving triangles. Cartesian reference system in the plane. Distance of two points and midpoint of a segment. Equation of the line. Conditions of parallelism and perpendicularity. Distance of a point from a line. Equation of the circumference, of the parabola, of the hyperbola, of the ellipse and their representation in the Cartesian plane. Pythagorean theorem. Euclid's theorems (first and second).
Probability and statistics: Frequency distributions according to the type of character and main graphical representations. Notion of random experiment and event. Probability and frequency.
Locomotive's Expanded IMAT 2026 Syllabus Breakdown
- Number System: Classification of Numbers (Natural, Whole, Integers, Real & Imaginary), Rational vs Irrational Numbers, Decimal Representation (terminating, repeating), Conversion of Repeating Decimals to Fractions.
- Polynomials: Definition, Classification, Degree, Operations (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division), Zeroes (Roots).
- Linear Equations: One Variable (Determined, Indeterminate, Impossible), Two Variables (Slope, Intercepts, Graphs), Pair of Linear Equations (Intersecting, Parallel, Coincident).
- Quadratic Equations: Standard Form, Solution Methods (Factorisation, Completing Square, Formula), Vieta’s Formulas, Discriminant & Nature of Roots, Graphs.
- Power and Exponents: Laws of Exponents, Negative and Fractional Exponents, Exponential Equations, Binomial Expansion and Pascal’s Triangle.
- Logarithms: Definition, Common vs Natural, Properties (Product, Quotient, Power Rules, Change of Base).
- Inequalities: Symbols, Interval Notation, Number Line, Combined Inequalities, Wave Curve Method, Quadratic & Absolute Inequalities.
- Trigonometry: Ratios (sin, cos, tan, cosec, sec, cot), Quadrants & Signs, Identities, Inequalities.
- Functions: Notation, Domain & Range, Types (Constant, Linear, Quadratic, Cubic), Vertical Line Test, Restrictions, Composite & Inverse Functions, Maxima/Minima, Increasing/Decreasing.
- Probability: Empirical vs Theoretical, Sample Space, Complementary Events, Mutually Exclusive & Independent Events, Venn Diagrams.
- Statistics: Mean, Median, Mode (Grouped & Ungrouped), Frequency Distribution, Range, Variance, Standard Deviation.
- Mensuration: Polygons (Angles, Diagonals), Area/Perimeter of 2D Figures, Classification of Triangles, Heron’s Formula, Quadrilaterals, Surface Area & Volume of 3D figures (Cube, Prism, Cylinder, Cone, Sphere).
- Geometry of Triangles: Special Points (Centroid, Incenter, etc.), Congruence, CPCT, Pythagorean Theorem, Perpendicular/Angle Bisector Theorems, Midpoint Theorem, Basic Proportionality Theorem, Similarity, Sine and Cosine Rule.
- Geometry of Circles: Definitions (Radius, Chord, Tangent), Arc Length/Sector Area, Tangent Theorems, Chord Theorems, Angles of a Circle (Central Angle, Thales’, Cyclic Quadrilateral).
- Coordinate Geometry: Cartesian System, Distance & Section Formulas, Slope, Equation of a Line (various forms), Parallel/Perpendicular Conditions, Angle Between Lines, Equation of Circle, Tangent of a Circle, Parabola, Hyperbola, Ellipse.
- Euclid’s Theorems (First and Second).
- Algebra (Miscellaneous): Elements of Combinatorics, Sorting & Comparison (Order of Magnitude, Scientific Notation), Proportion & Percentages, Remarkable Product.
- Set Theory: Types of Sets, Venn Diagrams, Set Operations, Cartesian Product.
6. Physics
Mathematics and Physics together make up 13 questions in the exam. Similar to Mathematics, this section of the IMAT syllabus is defined and predictable. Strong preparation can significantly increase your total score.
Official IMAT Syllabus for Physics
Physical quantities and their measurement: fundamental and derived physical quantities. Systems of units: International (SI) and Technical systems. Multiples and submultiples. Scientific notation. Main conversions between units of different systems. Scalar and vector quantities. Vectors and operations with vectors.
Kinematics: description of motion. Velocity and angular velocity, acceleration and centripetal acceleration. Uniform rectilinear motion, uniformly accelerated motion, uniform circular motion, harmonic motion.
Dynamics: concept of force as an interaction between bodies. Forces as applied vectors. Principle of inertia. Mass and Newton's second law of motion. Examples of forces: weight (gravitational force), elastic force, static and kinetic friction. Action and reaction: Newton's third law. Impulse and momentum. Principle of conservation of momentum. Torque (moment of a force) and angular momentum. Work and kinetic energy. Conservative forces and potential energy. Principle of conservation of mechanical energy. Power.
Fluid mechanics: density and compressibility of fluids. Gases and liquids. Hydrostatics: pressure and the principles of Pascal, Stevin, and Archimedes. Fluid dynamics: one-dimensional flow, flow rate and discharge, continuity equation. Ideal fluids and Bernoulli's equation. Viscous forces in real fluids.
Thermodynamics: equilibrium, concept of temperature, thermometers. Concept of heat and calorimetry. Modes of heat transfer. Heat capacity and specific heat. Phase changes and latent heat. Laws of ideal gases. First and second laws of thermodynamics.
Electricity and electromagnetism: electric charges. Forces between charges and Coulomb's law. Electric field and electric potential, equipotential surfaces. Dielectric constant, capacitance, capacitors. Electrostatic energy. Capacitors in series and parallel. Generators. Electric voltage. Electric current. Resistivity, resistance, resistors. Ohm's law. Resistors in series and parallel. Kirchhoff's laws. Work, power, Joule effect. Direct and alternating current. Period and frequency. Magnetic field of an electric current. Forces on electric currents in a magnetic field. Electromagnetic induction.
Locomotive's Expanded IMAT 2026 Syllabus Breakdown
- Units and Dimensions: Fundamental and Derived Quantities, Systems of Units (CGS, MKS, SI), Prefixes, Dimensional Analysis.
- Vectors: Scalar vs Vector, Unit/Null Vectors, Addition/Subtraction, Dot & Cross Product, Resultant of Two Vectors.
- Kinematics: Rest and Motion, Distance/Displacement, Speed/Velocity, Acceleration, Equations of Motion, Motion Under Gravity, Projectile Motion.
- Newton’s Laws and Motion: Inertia, Momentum, Newton’s Three Laws, Impulse, Free Body Diagrams, Mass vs Weight, Apparent Weight, Friction.
- Work, Energy and Power: Work Done, Conservative vs Non-Conservative Forces, Kinetic & Potential Energy, Work-Energy Theorem, Power, Collisions (elastic/inelastic).
- Circular Motion: Angular Displacement/Velocity/Acceleration, Relation (v=rω), Centripetal Force, Tangential Acceleration, Motion on a Level Road/Curve.
- Moment of Force (Torque) & Angular Momentum.
- Fluid Mechanics: Pressure/Density, Pascal’s Law, Stevin’s Law, Archimedes’ Principle, Equation of Continuity, Bernoulli’s Theorem, Torricelli’s Law, Viscosity.
- Thermal Physics: Temperature Scales, Heat Capacity, Calorimetry, Latent Heat, Modes of Heat Transfer (Conduction, Convection, Radiation).
- Thermodynamics: Zeroth Law, First Law (Internal Energy, Heat, Work), Ideal Gas Law, Thermodynamic Processes (Isothermal, Isobaric, Isochoric), Second Law & Entropy, Kinetic Gas Equation.
- Oscillations: Periodic Motion, Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), Equations of SHM, Energy in SHM, Simple Pendulum/Mass-Spring.
- Electrostatics: Electric Charge, Coulomb’s Law, Electric Field & Lines, Electric Potential, Equipotential Surfaces.
- Current Electricity: Ohm’s Law, Resistance/Resistivity, Electrical Power, Series/Parallel Resistors, Kirchhoff’s Laws, Capacitors (Series/Parallel, Energy Stored).
- Magnetism: Magnetic Field Lines, Oersted’s Experiment, Solenoids, Right-Hand Thumb Rule, Force on Current-Carrying Conductor, Magnetic Force on Moving Charge.
- Gravitation: Universal Law, Gravitational Constant, Acceleration due to Gravity (g), Gravitational Potential Energy, Escape Speed.
Ready to Master the IMAT Syllabus?
To truly succeed, you need more than just a list of topics. We highly recommend all students download and check our full IMAT Strategy and Detailed Syllabus File. This document helps you prioritize high-yield topics within the IMAT syllabus and organize your study schedule efficiently.