What to do if you don’t pass the IMAT

We know it sucks, but that’s okay. Not passing the IMAT can feel like the end of the world—but it’s not. Whether you were just a few points short or nowhere near the cutoff, this moment doesn’t define your future. It’s just a detour. And trust us, you’re not alone. Plenty of students didn’t pass on their first try… and still went on to become amazing doctors. You can too.

Let’s talk about what you can do now.

1. TAKE A BREATH (THEN MAKE A PLAN)

First things first—allow yourself to feel disappointed. It’s okay. You worked hard. But after that, it’s time to refocus. This is your opportunity to regroup, reflect on what went wrong, and come back stronger.

Did you start studying too late? Did the logic questions throw you off? Were you unfamiliar with the test format? Get honest about what happened—without beating yourself up. One thing we often see is students relying heavily on theoretical knowledge and forgetting to practice with multiple-choice questions. You can know every topic in great detail, but the only thing that counts is where you put the X on the paper. If this sounds like you, then a switch in strategy will get you to your goal in no time.

2. Reapply with a New Strategy

One of the best things about the IMAT is that you can retake it. And many students do. The key is not just to study harder, but to study smarter.

• Get serious about past papers and time management.
• Focus on the sections you struggled with.
• Consider joining a prep course or study group. Our preparation courses provide high-quality teaching and a peer-to-peer approach tailored for international students.
• Make a realistic, month-by-month study plan. If you don’t know where to start, book a free consultation with us ! We will guide you through our educational offerings to help you identify the best preparation path tailored to your needs, requirements, and goals

There’s no shame in taking a gap year to reapply. In fact, it can be a huge advantage if you use the time wisely.

3. Make This Year Count — In or Outside Medicine

Not passing the IMAT doesn’t mean you have to put your future on pause. You’ve got options—and some of them might even give you a head start.

One path is to apply for Health Professions degrees, such as Physiotherapy, Nursing, or Radiology. These are still highly competitive, but they allow you to get familiar with hospital settings, start learning practical skills, and immerse yourself in patient care while continuing to prepare for the IMAT. It’s a chance to gain real clinical experience, build confidence, and test your motivation. You might even discover that this is your true calling.

However, it’s essential to know that while these programs are close to medicine in practice, the first-year exams are not the same as those in med school. So, if you retake the IMAT and get into medicine the following year, you’ll likely have to restart from scratch with the first-year exams.

If you’re looking for a more academic “bridge,” consider enrolling in degrees like Biology, Biotechnology, or Pharmacology . These often share the same or very similar first-year courses with Medicine—like Chemistry, Biology, Physics—so you’d essentially be studying for the IMAT while also completing exams that might be validated once you get into med school. That means less wasted time and energy, and a smoother transition if you switch.

Either way, this year doesn’t have to be a waiting game—it can be a launchpad.

4. Live the Dream… Before Living the Dream

If your heart is set on Italy, why not move there while you prepare to reapply?

1. Enroll in an Italian language course . Not only will this help you integrate socially and logistically (think: ordering coffee, signing a lease, talking to locals), but it’s a great addition to your CV. It shows dedication, initiative, and cultural curiosity—traits that will serve you well as a future doctor, and it will give you an edge once you start hospital rotations, where speaking italian to patients will be inevitable.
2. If Italy is where you see your future, consider spending time in the city where you hope to study . Whether it’s Rome, Milan, Bologna, or Pavia, experiencing the daily rhythm of your future home can be incredibly grounding—and motivating.
3. Work part-time or volunteer in a related field to stay connected to your goals.

This isn’t time lost. It’s time invested. And it might just be the most transformative year of your life.

5. Remember: You’re Not Behind. You’re Just on Your Own Path.

Everyone’s journey to medicine looks different. Some people get in on their first try. Others take a bit longer, or switch routes entirely. What matters is why you’re doing this. Keep that “why” close to your heart—it’ll carry you through the hard days.

If you’re serious about becoming a doctor, one failed attempt doesn’t change that. All it means is that your route will come with more life experience, more grit, and more depth. And in the end, that will make you a better student, and one day, a better doctor.

If you’re looking for prep advice, study tips, or just someone who’s been there and knows how this feels, check out our other articles and posts. We’re here for you!

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