Medicine and Surgery

Participation in the competition is subject to the completion of the online registration procedure, the booking of the chosen session(s) and the payment of the participation fee of € 250.00 through the PayPal circuit accessible from the registration platform only.

It is possible to take up to two tests. There are two rounds of tests according to the following calendar:

• FIRST ROUND: 27 and 28 February 2026
• SECOND ROUND: 17 and 18 April 2026

Candidates who, in the manners referred to in art. 3 of the call, submit an application from 10:00 a.m. on 28 January 2026 and until 11:59 p.m. on 17 February 2026 will be able to participate in both rounds.

Candidates who submit their application from 2 to 31 March 2026 will only be able to participate in the second round.

The University reserves the right to add additional test dates if necessary in order to test all candidates.

The final ranking lists will be drawn up according to the criteria set out in art. 8 of the announcement, taking into consideration the best score obtained in the tests taken, if more than one, or in the only test taken by each candidate.

You can participate if:

• you have an Italian or foreign secondary-school diploma;
• you are enrolled in the last year of secondary school in Italy or abroad, provided that the secondary-school diploma is obtained by 31 July 2026.

Students enrolled in the PENULTIMATE year of high school can NOT take the test.

The admission tests will be held in person (in computer-based multi-session modality) at locations specifically identified by the University in the cities of Rome, Milan, Naples, Bari, Reggio Calabria, Catania, Palermo, and Cagliari based on the exam session scheduling that will be made available on the registration portal.

Places at each venue/session are allocated on a first-come first-served basis, taking into consideration only registrations completed in the manners and terms referred to in art. 3 of the call.  

The general list of convocations, with indication of the venue, date and time of the test for each candidate, will be published respectively:

• From 23 February 2026 for the first round in February;
• From 10 April 2026 for the second round in April.

If, due to regulatory or organisational contingencies, it is necessary to make changes to the calendar or to the test administration methods, public notice will be given on this page.

The candidate chooses one of the two paths: registration for the DENTISTRY competition or registration for the MEDICINE AND SURGERY and MEDICINE AND SURGERY - TECHNOLOGICALLY-ORIENTED (MedTec) competition:

• By registering in the competition for admission to the integrated degree programme in Dentistry for the a.y. 2026/2027, you can select your preference for the degree programme in Dentistry for which you will be placed in the ranking list for the academic year 2026/27 based on the score obtained in the test, pursuant to art. 8 of the call;

• By registering in the competition for admission to the integrated degree programmes Medicine and Surgery and Medicine and Surgery - Technologically-oriented for the a.y. 2026/2027, you can select both the degree programmes, i.e. Medicine and Surgery and Medicine and Surgery - Technologically-oriented.

PLEASE NOTE: This selection (preference 1 and preference 2) necessary during the registration phase of the competition does not constitute a binding order of preference in the preparation of the final ranking lists: each candidate who has selected the Medicine/MedTec competition will compete for places in the first year of both integrated degree programmes and will be placed, based on the score, indifferently in both final ranking lists. When assigning places, each candidate will be able to choose which of the two degree programmes to pre-enrol/enrol in according to the criteria indicated in art. 8 of this announcement, which candidates should read carefully.

It is not possible to apply for both Dentistry and Medicine/MedTec.

It is possible to modify the Choice section (degree programme in Dentistry or Medicine/MedTec) by the registration deadline of the first round in which the candidate has registered (i.e. by 17 February 2026, if you participate in both rounds or by 31 March 2026 if you participate only in the second round in April). After this deadline, no requests for modification will be accepted.

The final ranking lists are drawn up according to the following criteria:

A) The ranking list for the programme in Dentistry is drawn up on the basis of the best final score (or the single score if the candidate has participated in only one round) obtained by all those who have selected the competition for admission in the integrated degree programme in Dentistry for the a.y. 2026/2027, ordered on the basis of merit;

B) The ranking lists for the Medicine and Surgery and Medicine and Surgery - Technologically-oriented (MedTec) are drawn up on the basis of the best final score (or the only score if the candidate has participated in only one round) obtained all those who have selected the competition for admission to Medicine/MedTec for the a.y. 2026/2027, ordered according to their best or only final score. The two ranking lists (for Medicine and Surgery and for Medicine and Surgery-Technologically-oriented) will therefore be the same and the places allocated according to the following criteria:

• Pre-enrolment (including payment of the first instalment of university tuition fees), or enrolment, in one of the two degree programmes determines in any case and at any stage of the procedure the cancellation of the position in the ranking list in the other programme;
• Candidates who want to maintain their position in the ranking list for only one of the two degree programmes must not proceed with pre-enrolment/enrolment if they are admitted to the degree programme they are less interested in. In that case - at the end of the deadline for acceptance - they will be considered to have withdrawn from that programme, and they will maintain their position in the ranking list in the programme they are more interested in.

Therefore:

• if the candidate is simultaneously admitted to both degree programmes (Medicine and Surgery and MedTec), he/she can immediately choose which degree programme to pre-enrol/enrol in and his/her position will be simultaneously cancelled in the ranking list in the programme not chosen;
• if the candidate is admitted to only one of the two programmes (Medicine and Surgery or MedTec), he/she may decide - according to his/her interest - to proceed with pre-enrolment/enrolment in the programme to which he/she has been admitted. Pre-enrolment/enrolment will contextually, automatically and irreversibly result in the cancellation of one's position in the ranking list of the programme to which he/she has not yet been admitted and which he/she cannot – under any circumstances – take over by subsequent scrolling;
• the candidate who is not admitted to either degree programme retains his or her position in the ranking list until he or she is called to take over.

The admission examination consists of a written test of sixty-five (65) multiple-choice questions, which have five answer options. For each question, the candidate must identify the only correct answer by discarding the incorrect, arbitrary or less probable conclusions. The questions are distributed as follows:

• 15 questions of logical reasoning;
• 45 questions of scientific culture: 15 questions of chemistry, 15 questions of biology, 10 questions of physics and 5 questions of mathematics (with elements of logic);
• 5 questions of ethical-religious culture.

A maximum time of 65 minutes is allotted for the test (plus 6 minutes for the so-called "reserve questions").

A maximum score of 65 (sixty-five) points is awarded for the evaluation of the test according to the following criteria:

• 1 point for each correct answer;
• minus 0.25 points for each incorrect answer;
• 0 points for each unanswered question (omitted).

In order to be admitted to each degree programme, in any case, a final score of no less than 20 points out of a total of 65 achievable points must be obtained.

In consideration of the need to carry out several exam sessions and in order to preserve equal treatment, transparency, impartiality and the good progress of the selection, separate exam tests will be prepared for each session in compliance with the criteria of balance between the various types of questions. At the end of the test (whether it coincides with the expiry of the maximum time or based on early voluntary submission) each candidate must answer 6 additional questions in 6 minutes automatically assigned by the exam platform (one for each subject).

These "reserve" questions will NOT count towards the assessment of the test unless, after all the scheduled sessions have been held, an anomaly emerges in one or more questions leading to their cancellation. Only in this case, once the criticality has been ascertained, will the University consider neutralising the question and replacing it with the reserve question relating to the same subject, in order to guarantee the objectivity of the assessments and an equal treatment of candidates.

Once the participation fee for the admission test has been paid, you will have free and unlimited access to the online simulation platform made available by the University. On the summary page you will find the link to the simulation platform (you will not receive the link by e-mail but you will have to log in again to your registration profile).

• Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
• New Charter for Health Care Workers - Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers
• Instruction Dignitas Personae on Certain Bioethical Questions (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith)
• Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate (Pope Benedict XVI)
• Encyclical Letter Laudato Si' (Pope Francis)

Can I participate in the admission test even if I have not yet obtained my high school diploma?

Those enrolled in the last year of secondary school at higher education institutions in Italy and abroad that allows the achievement of a valid qualification pursuant to the ministerial provisions for admission to higher education programmes in the Italian system may also participate, subject to subsequent verification of the achievement of the access qualification.

I am enrolled in the penultimate year of high school (upper secondary school), can I participate in the test and "keep the score" for admissions to the a.y. 27/28?

Students enrolled in the PENULTIMATE year of high school can NOT take the test or "keep" their score for admission to the academic year 2027/28.

Can I take the test more than once? What is the test calendar?

Candidates may take up to two tests. There are two exam sessions according to the following calendar:

• FIRST ROUND: 27 and 28 FEBRUARY 2026;
• SECOND ROUND: 17 and 18 APRIL 2026.

If I have registered for the first round, can I also participate in the second?

Candidates who apply for participation from 28 January to 23:59 on 17 February 2026 will be able to participate in both rounds. Those who apply for participation from 2 to 31 March 2026 will only be able to participate in the second round of tests in April.

Can I compete for all three integrated degree programmes that are part of the selection?

No, it is necessary to choose whether to compete for Medicine and Surgery and MedTec or for Dentistry.

By enrolling in the competition for admission to the integrated degree programmes in Medicine and Surgery and Medicine and Surgery - Technologically-oriented for the a.y. 2026/2027 , the candidate selects both the degree programmes Medicine and Surgery and Medicine and Surgery - Technologically-oriented.

PLEASE NOTE: This selection (preference 1 and preference 2), necessary during the registration phase for the competition, does not constitute a binding order of preference in the preparation of the final ranking lists: each candidate who has selected the Medicine/MedTec competition will compete for places in the first year of both degree programmes and will be placed, based on the score obtained, indifferently in both final ranking lists. When assigning places, each candidate will be able to choose which of the two degree programmes to pre-enrol/enrol in according to the criteria indicated in art. 8 of the announcement, which candidates should read carefully.

Can I change the chosen degree programme or the order of preference?

It is possible to change the selection of the admission competition (for Dentistry or for Medicine/MedTec) only by the registration deadline of the first round in which the candidate has registered (i.e. by 17 February 2026, if you participate in both rounds, or by 31 March 2026, if you participate only in the second round in April). After this deadline, no requests for modification will be accepted.

How are the ranking lists drawn up and what are the criteria for assigning places?

The final ranking lists valid for admission to the integrated degree programmes covered by this call for applications are drawn up according to the following criteria:

• The ranking list for the Dentistry programme is drawn up on the basis of the best final score (or the single score if the candidate has participated in only one round) obtained by all those who have selected the admission competition for the integrated degree programme in Dentistry for the a.y. 2026/2027, ordered on the basis of merit;
• The ranking lists for the programmes in Medicine and Surgery and Medicine and Surgery - Technologcally-Oriented (MedTec) are drawn up on the basis of the best final score (or the single score if the candidate has participated only one round) obtained by all those who have selected the admission competition to Medicine/MedTec  for the a.y. 2026/2027, ordered according to their best or only final score.

The two ranking lists (for Medicine and for Medicine and Surgery - Technologically-Oriented) will therefore coincide and the places available in the two degree programmes will be allocated according to the following criteria:

• Pre-enrolment (including payment of the first instalment of university tuition fees), or enrolment, in one of the two degree programmes determines in any case and at any stage of the procedure the cancellation of the position in the ranking list in the other programme;
• Candidates who want to maintain their position in the ranking list for only one of the two degree programmes must not proceed with pre-enrolment/enrolment if they are admitted to the degree programme they are less interested in. In that case - at the end of the deadline for acceptance - they will be considered to have withdrawn from that programme, and they will maintain their position in the ranking list in the programme they are more interested in.

I can change the venue and exam session, how should I proceed? And within what terms?

Any change of venue/session must be carried out in the following ways:

• Log in to the portal;
• Check for any venue/session availability;
• Book again. This new booking will automatically replace the previous one.

You will receive an e-mail confirming that the session has been changed and you will receive a new convocation to replace the previous one, which is no longer valid.

The change of venue/session is allowed only within the registration deadlines of each round (i.e. by 17 February 2026 for the first round in February and by 31 March 2026 for the second round in April). After the deadline, no change of venue and/or session will be allowed.

How can I check that I have correctly chosen the session and that I have registered correctly?

All information regarding registration for the competition and payment made is always available in your reserved area under the "Log" menu item of the portal and is the only official source for confirmation of registration and the choices expressed (round, location, date, time and payment).

I am a candidate with a disability and/or diagnosed with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), how can I request additional time and/or compensatory measures?

You must make an explicit request on the appropriate pages of the competition registration procedure and upload the certification to the system. Candidates with disabilities are entitled to additional time not exceeding 50% more than that provided for the written test in addition to any further measures commensurate with the type of disability. Candidates with SLD, where the diagnosis complies with the law, are granted additional time equal to 30% more than that provided for the test and additional compensatory tools only in the more serious cases verified by a special University Commission.

For more information, please consult Article 4 of the competition notice.

What are the science subject programmes?

The programmes relating to the questions of scientific culture are reported in Annex "A" of the competition notice.

How can I prepare for ethical-religious culture questions?

It is possible to consult the texts recommended by Università Cattolica, a list of which is available on this web page.

Can I use the calculator? What materials do I need to have or bring from home to take the exam?

The use of mobile phones, calculators, tablets, online-enabled devices and the consultation of printed books and/or manuscripts and notes is strictly forbidden during the test. You can bring a pen. Blank sheets for notes will be provided by the University.

Do secondary-school grades and secondary-school diploma grades confer scores? What about other international certifications?

Secondary-school grades, secondary-school diploma grades and any other certification, including international ones, do not confer additional points. There is no evaluation of qualifications and the final mark is awarded only on the basis of the written test result.

Is there a minimum score threshold?

Yes. In order to be admitted to each degree programme, it will be necessary to obtain a score of no less than 20 points out of a total of 65 achievable.

What documents do I need to bring with me on the day of the exam?

A valid identification document pursuant to art. 35 of Presidential Decree no. 445 of 28 December 2000 (copies or reproductions of any kind are not permitted);

Any original documentation certifying the state of disability and/or SLD declared at the time of registration for the competition.

If you are a non-EU citizen, you will also need to show a valid passport and residence permit.

I haven't/have lost lost/can't find my identity document, but I have a driver's license/passport, can I show them to participate in the test?

You will have to show a valid and original identification document (ID card, passport, driving license), copies or reproductions - on any medium - of the identification documents will not be accepted.

When will the final ranking lists be published?

The final ranking lists of each degree programme will be published only once both test rounds have been completed, i.e. from 4 May 2026 , taking into account in an automated way the best score obtained in the two tests, or the only final score obtained if the candidate has participated in only one of the two test sessions.

Once enrolled, how can I withdraw from the programme? Will I be able to be refunded the tuition fee paid?

Using the "Forms" section on the institutional portal of the Rome Campus (https://studenticattolica.unicatt.it/strumenti-e-supporto-modulistica - Application for withdrawal from studies) the student must log in to his/her enrolment profile and follow the online procedure until the appropriate forms have been fully completed.

Once the cancellation has been made, the fee paid for the place reservation will be fully refunded if requested within 14 days from the date of payment. After the aforementioned deadline, no refund will be made.

 What is the best manual to prepare for the test?

Università Cattolica does not have or recommend a specific preparation manual for its admission tests. Once you have registered for the competition, you can practice for free and unlimitedly with the exam simulator platform , which makes use of a vast archive of questions offered in previous years. For optimal preparation, it is also advisable to enrol in the preparation courses specially organised by Università Cattolica as an additional service.