For Every IMAT taker, the closer the exam date draws, the more vital is every step taken in terms of preparation and registering for the exam, and securing a place in the competition. And there are a couple of steps to take, where time is of the essence.
One of them is not only registering for the IMAT, paying the fee, and listing the preference of your University of choice, but also WHEN you do all this. Let me explain.
Where can I take the IMAT in 2021?
The IMAT registration is open every year around the first three weeks of July. This year it opened on June 30th and will close on July 22nd at 3 pm Italian time. This is the only time you’d be able to register and if you miss it, you won’t be able to sit the IMAT on September 9th this year, but you’ll have to wait for next year’s entrance exam.
During the IMAT registration, you’ll be asked to order your preferences of universities, to pay the fee of EUR 130, and to choose the test center where you’ll sit the IMAT.
Luckily, IMAT can be taken in Italy and numerous test centers around the world. A total of 33 test centers are available this year: 10 in Italy and the rest of them in 5 continents worldwide. This year there is one extra location, compared to last year in Ankara, Turkey.
You can see the full list of the test centers in 2021 in our translation of the official regulations released by the Italian Ministry of Education (MIUR).
What’s the hurry?
As the International medical courses in Italy gain more popularity, more and more candidates register for IMAT. As we stressed in our last webinar, available spots in the test centers get filled surprisingly fast. So, the registration may be open for almost 3 weeks, but in reality, if you want to secure a place, you have much less time.
This year, things unraveled even faster than usual. In the very first 30 minutes (!) after the registration opened, on June 30th, both test centers in Turkey were fully booked. Later this day, test centers in India, UAE, and Brazil were all completely booked out too.
Until July 4th, the following test centers also got booked out: USA, Dubai, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan.
As you could see, it’s essential you take action fast and certainly not wait till the deadline to reserve your seat.
What to do if the test center I wanted to book is already full?
If the test center in your country or the nearest to your country is already fully booked, don’t despair. You still have options, although it may mean diving into some logistics. You are free to choose any test center in the world, regardless of your citizenship.
First, you can try to book the nearest country (or the easiest to fly to) that you wouldn’t need a visa to travel to. Alternatively, you could obtain a visa and book any test center you’d like.
Can I sit the IMAT in Italy?
I remind you that if you chose to take the exam in Italy, you’re obligated to sit it in the University that you selected as your first choice during the IMAT registration.
Of all available seats, those in Italy are most unlikely to get filled (simply because the test centers are times bigger than those abroad), so this might be a safe choice to resort to.
Advice on registering on Universitaly
Before you rush to book your spot though, let me warn you of a couple of common mistakes that could slow you down.
You’d want to be extra careful when you first fill in your personal details – names, nationality, and all else you’re asked for. Make sure you write it exactly as written in your passport. Specifically, pay attention in case you have a middle name or a couple of names. Do they belong to the “name” or “surname” section?
This is important because based on how you write your name, you’ll get an automatically generated fiscal code. And if that one turns out wrong… it will down spiral in a way to make a fascinating story to tell but not so fun to experience. This is how I ended up existing as two separate people in Italy for an entire year!
It may seem redundant to remind you how to write our own name, but believe it or not, it’s a fairly common mistake that will cost you not only precious nerves but also essential time – the time you might need to book a seat in a test center before it gets filled.
The second piece of advice is to make sure you check your email after you complete the IMAT registration. You should receive a confirmation email and a receipt of your payment. You must save those as some test centers actually ask you to bring a copy along with you on the test day.
Furthermore, if you finished your registration, and did not get a confirmation in the first place, perhaps your registration wasn’t completed. In this case, you should contact info@cambridgeassessment.org.uk to make sure everything is alright.
Better safe than sorry
If it hasn’t already become strikingly clear where am I leading to, I strongly advise you to register for the IMAT as soon as possible, if you haven’t already. There is no advantage in waiting till the last moment and you don’t want to risk losing a spot in a test center. The exam registration fee is refundable, in case you change your mind later on.
I’m familiar with the silent agitation may be beginning to feel as the exam gets closer. Been there, done that. But worry not. Follow the deadlines, register if you haven’t yet, and don’t forget your IMAT preparation. Sooner rather than later you’ll be looking back at this moment with a smile. Good luck!
(c) Image source: pexels.com
Elena Mitsulova (Pavia)
I am a 5th-year student in the Harvey course of Pavia. During my Italian journey and all these years spent in Pavia, I've gathered a valuable experience that I am happy to share with you.
