House Approves Legislation to Eliminate Medical School Admission Tests

Rome: The Lower House on Tuesday gave final approval to legislation scrapping medical school admission tests. The move marks a significant shift in the selection process for medical education, impacting thousands of aspiring medical students across the country.

According to Ansa News Agency, the legislation was passed with 149 votes in favor and 63 against. It grants free access to the first semester for students, with a new selection process taking place afterward. Only students who have completed all tests will be ranked nationally, and the top students will be allowed to continue their studies. This new measure extends beyond medical schools, also applying to programs in dentistry and veterinary medicine.

The change will increase the number of available places nationally for medical students from 20,000 to 25,000. University Minister Annamaria Bernini announced on Tuesday that an additional 30,000 places will be funded in Italian medical schools over the next seven years, further expanding opportunities for those pursuing careers in healthcare.