IMAT 2027 Syllabus: Every topic the IMAT can ask you
All 163 topics in 6 subjects, written out in full, plus the topics real IMAT papers asked the most.
- 163
- Topics
- 6
- Subjects
- 60
- Questions
- 100
- Minutes
PART ONE
The syllabus
01
Biology
B1The chemistry of living things
- B1.1Biological importance of weak interactions (hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic and ionic interactions)
- B1.2Organic molecules in organisms and their functions: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
- B1.3The role of enzymes: structure, active site, factors affecting activity
B2The cell as the basis of life
- B2.1Cell theory
- B2.2Cell size
- B2.3Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, animal and plant cells
- B2.4Viruses
- B2.5The cell membrane: structure and functions
- B2.6Transport across the membrane: diffusion, osmosis, active transport, endocytosis and exocytosis
- B2.7Cell structures and organelles and their specific functions
- B2.8Cell cycle and cell division: interphase, mitosis and meiosis
- B2.9Chromosomes and the karyotype
B3Bioenergetics
- B3.1The energy currency of cells: ATP
- B3.2Redox reactions in living things
- B3.3Photosynthesis
- B3.4Glycolysis
- B3.5Aerobic respiration: Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation
- B3.6Fermentation
B4Reproduction and inheritance
- B4.1Life cycles
- B4.2Sexual and asexual reproduction
- B4.3Mendelian genetics: Mendel’s laws and their applications
- B4.4Classical genetics: chromosome theory of inheritance, sex chromosomes, linkage and genetic maps
- B4.5Molecular genetics: structure of DNA, the gene, DNA replication, the genetic code
- B4.6Protein synthesis: transcription and translation
- B4.7The prokaryotic genome
- B4.8Structure of the eukaryotic chromosome
- B4.9Regulation of gene expression
- B4.10Human genetics: inheritance of monofactorial traits, autosomal and X linked genetic diseases
B5Inheritance and environment
- B5.1Mutations
- B5.2Natural and artificial selection
- B5.3Theories of evolution
- B5.4The genetic basis of evolution
B6Biotechnology
- B6.1Recombinant DNA technology and its applications
B7Anatomy and physiology of animals and humans
- B7.1Animal tissues
- B7.2Anatomy and physiology of the human body systems and their interactions: digestive, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and immune, excretory, nervous, endocrine, musculoskeletal, reproductive, integumentary
- B7.3Homeostasis
02
Chemistry
C1Composition of matter
- C1.1States of matter
- C1.2Homogeneous and heterogeneous systems
- C1.3Compounds and elements
- C1.4Gas laws
C2Atomic structure
- C2.1Elementary particles
- C2.2Atomic number and mass number, isotopes
- C2.3Electron structure of atoms of the different elements
C3The periodic table of the elements
- C3.1Groups and periods
- C3.2Transition elements
- C3.3Periodic properties: atomic radius, ionisation energy, electron affinity, metallic character
- C3.4Relationship between electron structure, position in the periodic table and properties
C4The chemical bond
- C4.1Ionic, covalent and metallic bonds
- C4.2Bond energy
- C4.3Polarity of bonds
- C4.4Electronegativity
- C4.5Intermolecular bonds
C5Fundamentals of inorganic chemistry
- C5.1Nomenclature and main properties of inorganic compounds: oxides, hydroxides, acids, salts
- C5.2Position of these compounds in the periodic table
C6Chemical reactions and stoichiometry
- C6.1Atomic and molecular mass, Avogadro’s constant
- C6.2The mole and its applications
- C6.3Elementary stoichiometric calculations
- C6.4Balancing simple reactions
- C6.5Types of chemical reactions
- C6.6Chemical equilibrium and reaction rate
C7Solutions
- C7.1Solvent properties of water
- C7.2Solubility
- C7.3The main ways of expressing concentration
C8Oxidation and reduction
- C8.1Oxidation number
- C8.2Oxidising and reducing agents
- C8.3Balancing redox reactions
C9Acids and bases
- C9.1The concept of acids and bases
- C9.2Acidity, neutrality and basicity of aqueous solutions
- C9.3pH
- C9.4Hydrolysis and buffer solutions
C10Fundamentals of organic chemistry
- C10.1Bonds between carbon atoms
- C10.2Empirical, molecular and structural formulae
- C10.3The concept of isomerism
- C10.4Aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons
- C10.5Functional groups: alcohols, ethers, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amides
- C10.6Elements of nomenclature
03
Physics
P1Measurements
- P1.1Direct and indirect measurement
- P1.2Fundamental and derived quantities
- P1.3Physical dimensions of quantities
- P1.4Measuring instruments (sensitivity, precision, measurement error)
- P1.5The metric system, the International System (SI) and units
- P1.6Multiples and submultiples, scientific notation
- P1.7Vectors and vector operations
P2Kinematics
- P2.1Displacement, velocity and acceleration
- P2.2Uniform and uniformly accelerated motion in a straight line
- P2.3Uniform circular motion
- P2.4Harmonic motion
P3Dynamics
- P3.1Forces, moments of forces about a point, composition of forces
- P3.2Equilibrium of bodies
- P3.3Newton’s three laws
- P3.4Momentum and impulse
- P3.5Work, kinetic energy and potential energy
- P3.6Conservation of energy
P4Fluid mechanics
- P4.1Pressure and its units
- P4.2Archimedes’ principle
- P4.3Pascal’s principle
- P4.4Stevin’s law (pressure in a fluid at depth)
P5Thermodynamics
- P5.1Thermometry and calorimetry
- P5.2Specific heat and heat capacity
- P5.3Mechanisms of heat transfer
- P5.4Changes of state and latent heat
- P5.5Ideal gas laws
- P5.6First and second laws of thermodynamics
P6Electrostatics and electrodynamics
- P6.1Coulomb’s law
- P6.2Electric field and electric potential
- P6.3Dielectric constant
- P6.4Capacitors, capacitors in series and parallel
- P6.5Direct current, Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s laws
- P6.6Electrical resistance and resistivity, resistors in series and parallel
- P6.7Work, power, Joule effect
- P6.8Generators
- P6.9Electromagnetic induction and alternating current
04
Mathematics
M1Numerical sets and algebra
- M1.1Natural, whole, rational and real numbers
- M1.2Ordering and comparison, scales and scientific notation
- M1.3Operations and their properties
- M1.4Proportions and percentages
- M1.5Powers with integer and rational exponents and their properties
- M1.6Roots
- M1.7Logarithms (base 10 and base e) and their properties
- M1.8Elements of combinatorics
- M1.9Algebraic expressions and polynomials
- M1.10Remarkable products, factorisation
- M1.11Linear and quadratic equations and inequalities
- M1.12Systems of equations
M2Functions
- M2.1Basic concepts of functions and their graphs
- M2.2Linear and quadratic functions
- M2.3Rational and irrational functions
- M2.4Exponential and logarithmic functions
- M2.5Trigonometric functions: sine, cosine, tangent and their graphs
- M2.6Composite and inverse functions
M3Geometry
- M3.1Polygons and their properties
- M3.2Euclidean plane geometry, congruence and similarity
- M3.3The circle and its properties
- M3.4Perimeters and areas of plane figures
- M3.5Solid figures: surface areas and volumes
- M3.6Cartesian coordinates, distance between two points, midpoint
- M3.7Equation of a straight line, parallel and perpendicular lines
- M3.8Equations of the circle and the parabola
- M3.9Trigonometry: basic identities and right triangle relations
M4Probability and statistics
- M4.1Frequency distributions and their graphs
- M4.2Arithmetic mean, weighted mean, median and mode
- M4.3Probability of an event, addition and multiplication rules
- M4.4Elementary combinatorics in probability
05
Logical Reasoning
L1Critical thinking
- L1.1Completing a logical argument from given statements
- L1.2Drawing the correct conclusion from a short text
- L1.3Identifying hidden assumptions
- L1.4Finding the flaw in an argument
- L1.5Identifying arguments that strengthen or weaken a claim
- L1.6Parallel reasoning: arguments with the same structure
L2Problem solving
- L2.1Numerical and data problems in everyday contexts
- L2.2Reading tables, charts and graphs
- L2.3Rates, percentages, time and distance
- L2.4Spatial reasoning and simple visual patterns
- L2.5Problems expressed in symbolic or verbal form
06
Reading and General Knowledge
R1Reading skills
- R1.1Understanding written texts of different kinds: scientific and popular science, narrative and fiction, current affairs
- R1.2Understanding abstract, unusual or specialised vocabulary in context
- R1.3Identifying the main idea and the author’s intention
- R1.4Drawing inferences from what is written
R2General knowledge
- R2.1Spatial and temporal orientation: key places, events and dates
- R2.2Major institutions and international organisations
- R2.3Literature, history and philosophy
- R2.4Law, economics and civic topics
- R2.5Current affairs and topics of general cultural interest
PART TWO
Where the marks are
A bigger slice means more questions, according to recent IMAT papers.
35%25%25%16%
69questions counted
Biology
The cell is king: cell structure plus biochemistry and cell energy were 41 of 69 questions.
- Biochemistry and cell energy (respiration, enzymes, molecules)2435%
- Cell structure, membranes and transport1725%
- Molecular biology and genetics1725%
- Human anatomy and physiology1116%
According to recent IMAT papers
22%16%13%11%9%9%9%
45questions counted
Chemistry
Acids and bases came up in every paper. Organic chemistry and stoichiometry come next.
- Acids, bases and pH1022%
- Organic chemistry716%
- Stoichiometry and the mole613%
- Gases and states of matter511%
- Atomic structure and periodic table49%
- Bonding, polarity and water49%
- Redox49%
- Equilibrium and kinetics37%
- Inorganic compounds and nomenclature24%
According to recent IMAT papers
47%29%18%
17questions counted
Physics
Mechanics is almost half of Physics, and electricity came up every year.
- Mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, gravitation)847%
- Electricity and magnetism529%
- Thermodynamics and gases318%
- Fluid mechanics16%
According to recent IMAT papers
53%13%13%13%
15questions counted
Mathematics
Over half of Maths is algebra, and inequalities appear again and again.
- Algebra, equations and inequalities853%
- Trigonometry213%
- Geometry and coordinate geometry213%
- Probability, sets and statistics213%
- Logarithms and exponentials17%
According to recent IMAT papers
40%40%20%
5questions counted
Logical Reasoning
Only 5 questions now. Practise deduction and short puzzles.
- Logical deduction240%
- Reasoning puzzles240%
- Visual problems (like clocks)120%
According to recent IMAT papers
75%25%
4questions counted
Reading and General Knowledge
Mostly reading a medical or science text. Only one general knowledge question.
- Reading comprehension375%
- General knowledge125%
According to recent IMAT papers
Questions
IMAT 2027 syllabus FAQ
Quick answers to what students ask most about the syllabus.
Ask us on WhatsApp01What is the IMAT 2027 syllabus?
It is the official list of topics the International Medical Admissions Test can ask about. It covers six areas: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Reading and General Knowledge. This page lists all 163 topics in full.
02How many questions are in the IMAT and how is it scored?
60 multiple choice questions in 100 minutes. A correct answer gives +1.5, a wrong answer −0.4 and a blank 0, so the maximum score is 90.
03Which subject carries the most marks?
Biology. It has 23 of the 60 questions, worth 34.5 points. Chemistry follows with 15 questions, then Physics and Mathematics together with 13, Logical Reasoning with 5 and Reading and General Knowledge with 4.
04Has the IMAT syllabus changed for 2027?
This index follows the latest official programme published by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR). When the official IMAT 2027 call is published, we check it and update this page with any change.
05Which topics come up most often?
In recent papers, Biology focuses on biochemistry, cell energy and cell structure. In Chemistry, acids and bases appear every year, then organic chemistry and stoichiometry. Mechanics is almost half of Physics, and algebra is over half of Maths. See Part Two for the full charts.
06Is calculus part of the IMAT syllabus?
No. The Maths syllabus covers algebra, functions and their graphs, geometry, trigonometry, logarithms, probability and statistics, but not derivatives or integrals.
07How long does it take to cover the whole syllabus?
Most students need eight to ten months of steady study to cover every topic and then revise it. Start with the subjects worth the most marks and practise with real past papers under exam timing.
Starter or repeater? We teach this whole index live, topic by topic.