The Most Common IMAT Topics: Last 3-Year Trend Analysis
Ever since the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) took over writing the IMAT in 2023, the exam layout shifted big time. We went through three years of past papers to find the most common IMAT topics — the ones that keep showing up so you know exactly where to focus your study time.
The exam structure breaks down into 4 questions on General Knowledge (GK) and reading skills, 5 on Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving, 23 on Biology (the largest section), 15 on Chemistry, and 13 split between Math and Physics. Let's break down each subject year-by-year.
Turn these trends into a study plan
Knowing the high-yield topics is step one. Our IMAT Preparation Course builds your study plan around exactly these clusters.
The Most Common IMAT Topics by Subject
Here's how the 60 questions break down, section by section:
General Knowledge & Reading Skills
In 2023, the test included questions about specific Italian political institutions — which was pretty unfair if you weren't living in Italy! Thankfully, in 2024 and 2025, the examiners made this section much more student-friendly.
What to expect: Passages testing active reading skills, comprehension, and vocabulary.
Tip: The frequent GK questions on literature suggest that a thorough literature review would score quick points here.
Logical Reasoning & Problem Solving
If you've heard nightmares about IMAT logic, don't panic! Under MUR, logic is no longer a time-draining "monster" section designed to trick you. Now, the questions are straightforward and direct.
- Popular topics: Percentages, basic probability, unit conversions, wording logic, and spatial/block puzzles.
- Pro tip: Logic is no longer a make-or-break section, so be sure to allocate sufficient time to it to get free points.
Biology (The Main Event!)
Biology makes up over 38% of your entire exam score. While the syllabus looks massive, recent papers show that examiners keep returning to a few favorite areas: Bioenergetics, Human Physiology, Cell Biology, and Biomolecules/Enzymes.
Balanced across the syllabus
Questions were spread evenly across the entire syllabus — testing genetics, cell division, and general body systems.
Direct factual recall
Questions became much more direct — mostly straightforward factual recall.
Heavy topic clusters
2025 was wild because questions were heavily grouped! Instead of random questions, the test zoomed in on massive clusters: 6 questions on cellular respiration, 4 on the musculoskeletal system, and 3 on cellular organelles.
Chemistry
Chemistry makes up 15 questions on the exam, and it's all about finding the balance between understanding basic theories and doing fast mental calculations (remember: no calculators allowed!).
Key topics include Ideal Gas Laws, Redox reactions (oxidation numbers & balancing), Stoichiometry & Molarity, Acid-Base equilibria/pH, and Organic Chemistry functional groups. Typically, there is at least one question from each of these topics.
2023: Balanced evenly between inorganic concepts, organic nomenclature, and basic calculations.
2024: Emphasized rapid mental math for stoichiometry and solution concentrations.
2025: Physical chemistry took center stage early on with questions on Ideal Gas Laws (Theory) and Redox Reactions (Calculations & Theory).
Mathematics & Physics
This section has 13 questions total (usually split as 7 Math questions and 6 Physics questions). Many medical students are tempted to skip this section entirely — don't make that mistake! In the old Cambridge days, physics had tricky multi-step puzzles. Under the current MUR style, Math and Physics questions are much more direct.
- What to expect in Math: Basic algebra, functions, coordinate geometry, and simple probability.
- What to expect in Physics: Kinematics (motion equations), dynamics (Newton's laws), hydrostatics (fluid pressure and buoyancy), and basic electrical circuits.
Key Insights
Beware of topic clusters
Questions may cluster around one topic. It's crucial to know the high-yield units and master them thoroughly. Surface-level knowledge won't suffice — if they delve deep into one topic, they go very deep. So, avoid relying on "surface-level" revision.
Prioritize high-yield units first
In Biology, master Bioenergetics, Human Physiology (Musculoskeletal & Endocrine), and Cell Organelles before tackling fringe topics.
Master Chemistry calculations
Chemistry questions are straightforward, focusing on direct formula application and mental math. Practice oxidation numbers, redox balancing, gas law calculations, and acid-base pH formulas until they become second nature. This will save you a lot of time and energy.
Want the official subject list?
This page tracks trends from past papers. For the definitive, examiner-published breakdown, check the full IMAT 2026 syllabus.
Full Topic List, Year by Year
Want the complete picture behind these trends? Expand each year below to see every question topic from that paper, in order.
IMAT 2025 — Full Topic List
General Knowledge, Reading & Logic (1–9)
- Reading skills
- Reading skills
- GK (Literature)
- Reading skills
- Logical reasoning — wording problem
- Logical reasoning — wording problem
- Problem solving
- Problem solving
- Problem solving
Biology (10–32)
- Bioenergetics: cellular respiration — lactic acid fermentation
- Bioenergetics; Glycolysis
- Bioenergetics: cellular respiration — acetyl CoA
- Bioenergetics: cellular respiration — oxidative phosphorylation
- Bioenergetics: cellular respiration — cytochromes
- Cell structure and function: collagen
- Physiology: Musculoskeletal system — muscle contraction
- Physiology: Musculoskeletal system — actin and myosin
- Physiology: animal transport system: blood
- Enzymes
- Enzymes
- Biomolecules — proteins
- Bioenergetics: cellular respiration — oxidative phosphorylation
- Physiology: metabolism
- Physiology: musculoskeletal system
- Physiology: metabolism
- Biomolecules
- Cellular organelles — lysosomes
- Cellular organelles
- Cellular organelles — plasma membrane
- Energy and life — exergonic reaction
- Physiology: musculoskeletal system
- Physiology: Endocrine
Chemistry (33–47)
- Ideal gas laws — theory
- Redox reactions — calculation
- Redox reactions — theory
- Chemical bonding
- Periodicity
- Chemical bonding
- Acid-Base — calculation
- Acid-Base — calculation
- Chemical reactions — Equilibrium
- Chemical reactions — Activation energy
- Organic chemistry
- Biomolecules
- Chemical bonding
- Atomic structure
- Biomolecules
Math (48–54)
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Cartesian product of sets
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Algebra
- Algebra
Physics (55–60)
- Kinematics
- Electricity
- Electricity
- Gravitation and Newton's laws
- Dynamics
- Fluids
IMAT 2024 — Full Topic List
General Knowledge, Reading & Logic (1–9)
- General Knowledge: Literature
- Reading skill
- GK: History
- Reading skills
- Problem solving
- Problem solving
- Problem solving
- Problem solving
- Problem solving
Biology (10–32)
- Cellular structure and functions: mitochondria
- Weak interactions
- Bioenergetics: Cellular respiration
- Organic molecules: carbohydrates
- Organic molecules: carbohydrates
- Cell membrane and transport
- Bioenergetics: Energy currency and redox
- Bioenergetics: Energy currency and redox
- Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- Cellular structure and functions: cytoskeleton
- Cellular structure and functions: mitochondria
- Gene expression: Translation
- Gene expression: translation
- Cell membrane and transport
- Gene expression: translation
- Cellular structure and functions; cytoskeleton
- Classical genetics
- Classical genetics
- Human genetics: mutations
- Gene expression: translation
- Gene expression: transcription
- Cell cycle: DNA replication
- Gene expression: regulation
Chemistry (33–47)
- Ideal gas laws: Dalton's law of partial pressure (calculation)
- Ideal gas laws: Guy-Lussac's law (calculation)
- Periodicity (properties of compounds)
- Stoichiometry
- Solutions (calculation)
- Stoichiometry
- Acid-Base
- Redox reactions (identify reducing agent)
- Organic chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Ideal gas laws (measurement)
- Stoichiometry
- Stoichiometry
- Acid-Base (Calculation)
- Acid-Base (Theory)
Math (48–54)
- Power and exponents
- Functions
- Probability
- Inequality
- Geometry of circle
- Mensuration
- Trigonometry
Physics (55–60)
- Work, energy and power
- Ideal gases
- Electricity
- Magnetism
- Simple harmonic motion
- Simple harmonic motion
IMAT 2023 — Full Topic List
General Knowledge, Reading & Logic (1–9)
- Reading skill
- GK — literature
- GK — History
- GK — Government
- Problem solving
- Problem solving
- Problem solving
- Logical reasoning — strengthening the argument
- Logical reasoning — conclusion
Biology (10–32)
- Bioenergetics — cellular respiration
- Human genetics: sex-linked genes and inheritance
- Enzymes
- Biomolecules: Nucleic acid and inheritance
- Physiology: Endocrine system
- Physiology: Homeostasis
- Cellular structure and function
- Classical genetics
- Evolution
- Bioenergetics: Cellular respiration — redox
- Classical genetics
- Physiology: Homeostasis
- Bioenergetics: Photosynthesis
- Physiology: musculoskeletal system
- Gene expression
- Biomolecules: Nucleic acid and inheritance
- Biomolecules: Nucleic acid and inheritance
- Cellular structure and functions
- Cellular structure and functions
- Bioenergetics; cellular respiration — glycolysis
- Biomolecules: Nucleic acid and inheritance
- Bioenergetics; cellular respiration — ETC
- Classical genetics
Chemistry (33–47)
- Atomic structure
- Ideal gas laws — Guy Lussac's law
- Acid-Base
- Organic chemistry
- Acid-Base
- Chemical bonding
- State of matter
- Chemical reactions; Equilibrium
- Organic chemistry
- Atomic structure
- Periodicity
- Chemical bonding
- Redox reactions
- Stoichiometry
- Acid-Base
Math (48–55)
- Functions
- Inequality
- Ratio and proportion
- Probability
- Trigonometry
- Inequality
- Coordinate geometry
- Power and exponents
Physics (56–60)
- Collisions
- Ideal gases
- Calorimetry
- Kinematics
- Electrostatics
FAQ
What are the most common IMAT topics overall?
Across 2023–2025, Bioenergetics (especially cellular respiration), Human Physiology (musculoskeletal & endocrine), Cell Organelles, Classical Genetics, Acid-Base chemistry, and Redox reactions come up the most consistently.
Do IMAT topics repeat every year?
Not question-for-question, but the same high-yield subject areas keep resurfacing, particularly in Biology and Chemistry. 2025 showed the clearest pattern, with entire clusters of questions built around single topics.
Which subject carries the most weight on the IMAT?
Biology, by a wide margin — 23 of the 60 questions, or just over 38% of your score. See our IMAT requirements guide for the full exam breakdown.
Knowing the most common IMAT topics won't replace covering the full syllabus, but it tells you exactly where to put your first hours of study. Master the high-yield clusters above, then work outward — and always double-check the current year's official structure before you sit down to prepare.