Every year, students approach IMAT Mathematics in one of two extremes: either they treat it like an advanced competitive mathematics exam, or they underestimate it and rely entirely on intuition. Both approaches are costly.

Mathematics in the IMAT exam is a technically demanding section that requires structured mathematical preparation rather than intuition or surface-level familiarity. Since 2023, IMAT Mathematics questions have frequently involved multi-step mathematical problems. As a result, IMAT Mathematics rewards students who practise rigorously and develop consistency in execution, rather than those who rely on logic, shortcuts, or guesswork.

Mathematics in the IMAT Exam: What You Are Really Being Tested On

Mathematics forms a fixed part of the Mathematics & Physics section, which together contains 13 questions in the IMAT paper, as per the current exam pattern. Out of these, 7 – 8 questions are consistently from Mathematics.

IMAT Mathematics questions are usually concise and well-defined, but they are rarely trivial. The calculations themselves are not long; the difficulty lies in identifying the correct approach, managing the algebraic structure, respecting domain restrictions, and avoiding careless errors.

The exam does not test advanced mathematics or abstract proofs; instead, it tests whether students can reliably apply standard mathematical tools under pressure, often across multiple steps. There are definitely straightforward, formula-based questions on the exam. Still, their frequency has decreased since 2023, when the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) began administering the exam.

Why Mathematics Matters More Than You Think

Mathematics plays a decisive role in IMAT scoring. While many candidates perform reasonably well in Biology, Mathematics remains one of the least consistently prepared sections across the cohort. A large proportion of students either feel uncomfortable with Mathematics or prepare for it selectively, leading to uneven performance.

Students who build a solid foundation and practise exam-style questions gain a clear advantage over those who rely on guesswork or selective preparation.

IMAT 2024 vs IMAT 2025: What Changed?

IMAT 2024 and IMAT 2025 both included 7 Mathematics questions, but the distribution of topics changed noticeably.

• In IMAT 2024, the Mathematics section covered a broad range of topics, including algebraic manipulation, inequalities, logarithmic functions, probability, and geometry. Geometry was particularly prominent, with questions involving circles, volumes, and trigonometric relationships. Overall, the difficulty level was moderate, but some questions required strong conceptual foundations rather than routine solving.
• In IMAT 2025, Set Theory appeared for the first time, catching many students off guard. Even more surprisingly, powers and exponents, one of the most historically reliable IMAT topics, did not appear at all. Inequalities remained present but were more complex and multi-step, requiring deeper conceptual clarity rather than routine solving.

This comparison clearly shows that IMAT Mathematics does not follow fixed topic weightage. High-yield topics can disappear unexpectedly, and new areas can be introduced without warning. This makes selective preparation risky and highlights the importance of comprehensive syllabus coverage.

Mathematics Syllabus for IMAT

The IMAT Mathematics syllabus includes topics such as Numerical Sets, Algebra, Functions, Geometry, Probability, and Statistics. The LOCOMOTIVE team has broken down the official syllabus into clearly defined topics and subtopics, helping students prepare systematically without unnecessary overload.

Students are not expected to perform lengthy derivations or use advanced mathematical techniques. However, they are expected to understand mathematical relationships precisely—for example, how constraints affect solutions of inequalities, how algebraic expressions factor and simplify, or how geometric conditions translate into equations.

How Much Time Should You Give to Mathematics?

The time required to prepare for Mathematics for the IMAT depends strongly on a student’s prior exposure to the subject.

• Strong Background: Students with a reasonably high school mathematics background can usually complete focused IMAT-level preparation within two to three months.
• Weak Background/Gap: Students who are less confident or returning to Mathematics after a gap should plan for three to five months of consistent preparation.

This extended timeline does not require daily intensive study. Instead, Mathematics should be practised regularly alongside other IMAT subjects, allowing concepts and techniques to stabilise over time. Given the international nature of the IMAT exam, students often encounter topics that were not emphasised in their high school curriculum. Reviewing the official syllabus early and identifying gaps is therefore essential.

The Right Way to Study Mathematics for IMAT

Mathematics should be studied in layers.

1. The Conceptual Layer: Knowing what the question is asking and what mathematical tools are relevant.
2. The Technical Layer: Accurately carrying out algebraic and numerical steps, step by step.
3. The Decision-Making Layer: Choosing the safest and most efficient method under time pressure.

Students should begin with theory to understand concepts and relationships, but Mathematics is fundamentally a numerical and structural subject. Concepts only become meaningful when they are applied, and without regular numerical practice, Mathematics cannot be mastered. This is especially true for IMAT, where questions are rarely purely theoretical.

At the same time, IMAT Mathematics is not strictly computational. Some questions—such as those based on circle theorems, triangles, polygons, or sets—may involve little calculation, but they still test mathematical concepts and interpretation. In these cases, correctly understanding the conditions and identifying the relevant concept is often more important than the calculation itself.

Equally important is recognising what is not required. IMAT does not test advanced proofs or specialised techniques, and practising irrelevant or overly difficult questions only wastes time. Students should focus strictly on syllabus-aligned topics and IMAT-style questions.

Choosing the Right Resources

One of the most common mistakes students make is resource overload. For IMAT Mathematics, a small and carefully chosen set of resources is far more effective than multiple textbooks or advanced problem collections.

The LOCOMOTIVE Mathematics Course

The LOCOMOTIVE Mathematics Course is explicitly designed to align with the IMAT syllabus and exam pattern. Students receive concise, structured notes that focus only on IMAT-relevant content, eliminating unnecessary material found in standard textbooks. These notes are supported by recorded lectures, allowing students to revise theory at their own pace.

During classes, concepts are taught from the basics, and we practice many IMAT-relevant questions, as it is essential in Mathematics to know how to approach a question.

In addition, students are given carefully curated resource guides with topic-specific video recommendations for deeper understanding. Practice is structured through topic-based tests and unit tests, all aligned with IMAT difficulty and style. Each test comes with detailed solutions, enabling students to identify mistakes and refine their approach systematically. The goal of the course is not just to help students solve questions, but to build confidence, consistency, and strategic clarity in Mathematics.

Final Thoughts

Mathematics is not an obstacle in IMAT—a poor preparation strategy is. With the right approach, Mathematics becomes a rewarding section of the exam. Technical clarity, consistent practice, and familiarity with IMAT-style questions matter far more than speed or shortcuts.

With rising cut-offs, especially for non-European applicants, ignoring Mathematics is no longer an option. Students must aim to secure at least 4–5 of the 7 Mathematics questions, which can make a decisive difference in their overall ranking. When prepared strategically, Mathematics stops being a risk and becomes a powerful scoring opportunity on exam day.