THEhighly anticipated medical test of 2024 presents significant innovations, establishing new rules and methods of implementation. After the controversies and appeals from the previous year, the Ministry of University and Research has defined dates and structure of the test, bringing the traditional “Concorsone” back to light.
Let's discover together the details of this test which marks an important step for aspiring medical students.
The dates of the 2024 Medicine test
This year the test will be held on two separate dates, namely 28st May and 30 July.
The dates of medical tests in private universities for 2024
Aspiring medical students who opt for the private universities they have various dates available to take the admission tests. Here is a detail of the scheduled dates for 2024:
Humanitas medicine test
- 2 February
- 8 March
Unicamillus medicine test
- 9 February
- 16 February
Medicine test Free Mediterranean University
- 26 February
- 26 March
Medicine test University of Enna Kore
- 15 16 and March
- 12 13 and April
Catholic medicine test (English)
- 18 March
Catholic medicine test (Italian)
- 29 February – 2 March
- 18 - 20 April
Medical test at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
- 23 and 24 February
- 22 23 and March
The new format of the Medicine test: how many questions and how much time available?
Compared to the previous year, the test undergoes some changes substantial changes both in format and type of questions. In detail, candidates will have to face 60 questions in 100 minutes, with a distribution that includes:
- 4 questions on reading skills and knowledge acquired during studies
- 5 questions on logical reasoning
- 23 questions on biology
- 15 questions on chemistry
- 13 questions on mathematics and physics
Each question presents five answer options, with a scoring system that attributes 1,5 points for each correct answer, -0,4 points for each incorrect answer e 0 points for omitted answers.
Each student will have approx 1 minute and 40 seconds for each question.
If you don't know the answer, should you take the plunge? What does the statistics say?
In the context of the medical tests, which provides a penalizing scoring system for incorrect answers, the decision to "dive into" an answer when you are unsure must be carefully evaluated. Remember that every correct answer counts 1,5 points, while for every wrong answer they lose 0,4 points. Omitted answers do not affect the score, which remains unchanged.
Mathematically speaking, the optimal strategy depends on the probability of guessing the correct answer. If you have them five answer options for each question and you choose randomly, the probability of selecting the correct answer is 20% (1 out of 5). In this case, the expected value of the score for a random response can be calculated as follows:
- Probability of correct answer: 20% (1,5 points)
- Probability of incorrect answer: 80% (-0,4 points)
The expected value (EV) for a randomly given response is therefore:
This means that, on average, for each randomly given answer you could expect a loss of 0,02 points. While this loss is minimal, it can accumulate across a large number of questions, negatively impacting your total score.
Will it be a digital or paper test?
Another relevant novelty is the abandonment of online mode introduced with the Tolc, opting for the return to the traditional paper test. A choice that represents a return to the origins and a response to the numerous protests raised in recent years.
How to prepare for the medical test
To support students in their preparation, a public database containing 3500 questions. A valuable tool that will be accessible via a platform managed by Cisia starting from 8 May for the first exam date and from 10 July for the second one.
Tips for preparing for the Medicine Test
Here are some tips for practicing:
Time management
During practice, time your reading and comprehension sessions to get used to the test times. Learn to balance speed and accuracy, two fundamental aspects during the exam.
Feedback and review
After completing comprehension exercises, take the time to review the answers, especially the incorrect ones. Analyze where and why you made mistakes to avoid repeating them in the future.
Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired:
Improve in the section of Reading comprehension and knowledge acquired of the medicine test requires a combination of constant practice, broadening your knowledge e development of effective reading techniques.
Here are some tips to strengthen your skills in this area:
- Read books and articles on scientific and current topics.
- Do reading comprehension exercises on different types of texts.
- Review the biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics programs of the two- and three-year high school years.
Develop effective reading techniques
- Learn to to scan the text looking for key words and important concepts, without dwelling on every single word. This will help you grasp the essence of the text more quickly.
- Practice it critical reading, asking yourself questions about the text, evaluating its objectivity and considering different points of view. This active approach to reading improves understanding and retention of information.
Logical reasoning:
To improve in the section of Logical reasoning of the medicine test, it is important to develop both the skills of critical thinking that of problem solving. This section evaluates your ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information presented in different formats.
Here are some steps to hone these skills:
Familiarize yourself with the types of questions
Identify and practice various types of exercises that commonly appear in the logical reasoning section, such as number sequences, analogies, understanding graphs and tables, logic problems, and deductive reasoning.
Exercise regularly
- Dedicate yourself to daily practice using specific books, apps and online resources dedicated to improving logical reasoning. Consistency is key to honing these skills.
Improve your resolution strategies
Develop a systematic approach to problem solving. For example, start by carefully reading each question, identify key information and the relationships between them, and then apply a logical method to arrive at the solution.
In general:
- Do logic and reasoning exercises on different types of questions.
- Play logic and puzzle games.
- Download apps for your smartphone with logical reasoning exercises.
Biology:
- Buy a good high school biology textbook.
- Search online for multiple choice biology exercises.
- Follow biology video lessons also on YouTube, the Biology for All channel it's a good starting point
Chemistry:
- Buy a good high school chemistry textbook.
- Search online for multiple choice chemistry exercises.
- Follow chemistry video lessons also on YouTube
Math and physics:
- Buy a good high school math and physics textbook.
- Search online for multiple choice math and physics exercises.
- Follow video lessons in mathematics and physics also on YouTube
- Do math and physics exercises on your old texts
