How to succeed in your IMAT second attempt
Each year, around 13,500 students compete for just 1,592 seats, meaning that approximately 12,000 students do not reach the cut-off threshold. So, if you didn’t make it, don’t feel discouraged; facing an IMAT second attempt is a challenge many others are tackling right alongside you. You are not alone.
Actually, retaking the IMAT can be a strategic decision rather than a sign of failure. For many candidates, it offers the chance to improve their starting point in a career that spans decades.
Is it worth it?
First, reflect on why you decided to study in Italy. This choice was not made lightly; you understand both the risks and benefits, and you chose this path. It’s a life-changing decision, so giving it a second chance could be a good idea.
So, should I retake it?
Consider these questions honestly:
Are you retaking the exam simply because you feel lost or uncertain about what else to do? If so, take a step back. A retake must be a thoughtful, intentional decision—not a panic response.
Are you truly willing to dedicate the necessary time and effort to prepare thoroughly this time around? IMAT requires deep, consistent focus, not fragmented effort.
Are you prepared to honestly evaluate your previous approach, address your weaknesses, and adapt your study methods to improve your chances of success?
Sometimes, students choose to retake an exam, but they resist changing their study techniques or trying a different approach because they believe their current methods are sufficient. This mindset is a mistake. To broaden our knowledge and improve our scores, we must explore various strategies to find what works best. It’s essential to analyse our strengths and weaknesses critically and identify areas for improvement.
Answer these questions, and if you are sure you can change and decide to proceed with your IMAT second attempt, commit fully to your preparation and remain focused on your goals. Having experience, you've already overcome the hardest part: UNCERTAINTY. Now you have a clearer understanding of the process, giving you an advantage as you prepare for the next opportunity.
How to Improve Your Score on This Attempt
Take a break to reflect
This part is important. You've had a tough year, and you deserve some time to rest. Then, after you decide to retake the exam, stick to your goals and don’t look back, analyse your previous year for the IMAT, find the mistakes, and fill the gaps. This is for a career that will shape your life, and it definitely deserves dedicated study time and effective study strategies.
Personalise your pathway and approach
You have gained valuable experience from last year. Now, you can customise your pathway forward using that experience. You have a better idea about what the process entails and how to manage in various situations. If you can learn from your mistakes and improve after every bad experience, it’s a win.
Take the time to analyse what you did wrong. Write down the areas where you can improve. Reflect on various aspects, including your preparation, the exam itself, and the registration process. For example, it could be that you didn’t practice past papers enough, or perhaps you didn’t get enough sleep on the day of the exam, which affected your performance. You might wish you had a better outline or studied more effectively.
Reflect on yourself and try to develop a personalised approach that differs from last year’s experience. A common goal would be to improve our scores and to undergo the registration process smoothly.
Common Traps
The following points highlight common traps that can prevent students from making meaningful improvements in their performance.
The “I already know this” illusion
Critical for Content & Practice
This one is the most critical for both phases of studying: “content learning” and “exam practice”. During the content learning phase, students often believe that since they have studied the material once, they already know it and only need to review. While it is true that you have studied the content, this does not guarantee that you will improve your score. Therefore, it is important to restart the learning process as if you haven’t learned anything yet. Additionally, focus on improving yourself compared to last year’s practice.
In the exam practice phase, after previously practicing all the past papers, students may recognize the questions and remember some answers. The important thing is to ensure you understand the reasoning behind each answer. Be sure to perform the necessary calculations and justify every elimination.
Reusing the same study technique or pattern & Practising in a comfortable mood
These two traps can be addressed together because they are related. Relying on the same resources and study patterns as in the previous attempt may lead to passive studying, preventing you from advancing in your knowledge or skills. This year, our goal is to improve our scores, so we seek new resources to broaden our understanding and consider different perspectives. However, remember that just because something works for others doesn’t mean it will suit you. Always trust your intuition and do what you need to succeed. Maintain the routines you consider essential and alter those that are not.
This could include:
- Taking a structured course that offers practice questions.
- Reading a different textbook.
- Finding a study partner.
Doing a lot of practice, yet not reviewing enough
Engaging in extensive practice without sufficient review can be counterproductive. During the exam practice phase, the quality of your review process matters more than quantity or how many past papers you finish. It is normal to dedicate 2-3 hours to review for every 1-hour exam.
While knowing last year's questions and answers can inflate your practice scores and give you a sense of improvement, it is crucial to ensure you truly understand the material. Concentrate on identifying and learning from the mistakes you made on the questions you answered incorrectly, while also ensuring that you understand all the correct answers and can justify your eliminations. This understanding will help you achieve a higher score when it counts.
Not analysing your mistakes and weakpoints enough
Be critical in your assessment. When evaluating what went wrong during last year’s preparation, seek detailed answers. A vague failure analysis won’t help you improve. For example, saying “my chemistry was bad” isn’t enough. Instead, identify which part of chemistry. Determine whether you require more practice or additional knowledge. Find ways to improve, and write down all the aspects you need to work on.
Overthinking
Another important aspect that students need to manage during their IMAT second attempt is their thoughts. Overthinking and second-guessing even the easy questions can lead to anxiety, especially when they don’t want to face failure again. Additionally, spending too much time on questions in an effort to achieve perfection can be counterproductive.
When you're worried, it's important to talk to friends or teachers. Instead of facing worries alone, reach out to someone you trust.
What I want to emphasize is that you do your best during the preparation phase, and when you arrive at the exam, be confident. Avoid judging the difficulty of the paper while you're taking the exam. Focus on answering the questions according to your strategy and stick to your time management rules. Remember that you are not alone; many students are in the same situation. It is going well, and it will be okay.
Registration process
Lastly, let's discuss the registration process. You're already familiar with it, which should help alleviate the worries and anxieties you experienced last year. However, don’t underestimate the importance of this process. Be proactive and stay informed by keeping an ear out for updates and announcements from your university of choice and the ministry.
I hope this blog helps you make a decision and supports you as you prepare for your IMAT second attempt. Remember that retaking the exam is a strategic decision—not a sign of failure. You’re not alone in facing these challenges, and with commitment and thoughtful preparation, you can improve your chances of success.