The Future of Medical School Admissions in Italy: Changes on the Horizon
After years of debates and controversies, it seems that the entrance process to medical schools in Italy could be on the brink of change. The current system, which has faced numerous criticisms and legal challenges, may soon undergo significant reforms as the government works towards implementing a new strategy.
Minister Anna Maria Bernini and the centre-right majority are proposing a two-stage plan that aims to bring about changes in the coming years. The first step involves saving what can be salvaged for the tests scheduled for 2024, while the second step aims to reform the entire system starting next year. The goal is to develop an “Italian” way for the selection of future medical students, rather than simply replicating the French model, and to accommodate the sovereignist imprint of the current executive.
One of the first changes will be the postponement of the February session of the medical school entrance exam, known as Tolc Med 2024. Instead, the government is considering holding the tests in March and April or May to allow students who were in fourth grade in 2023 to try again now that they are in fifth grade. The revised exam will include changes in the test format and scoring mechanism in response to previous appeals before the administrative judge.
The next step would be to draft an enabling bill approved by Parliament, which would establish key principles for the new admission system. This bill would aim to eliminate programmed access and work closely with universities to develop a new system that is financially and spatially sustainable.
The enabling bill has already garnered support from various political parties, with members of the Senate Education Commission and the Democratic Party preparing their own proposals for consideration.
Once the enabling law is approved, the government will take the reins to implement the changes. Minister Bernini and a commission of experts will work on developing new entrance exams and a filter test to determine which students will be admitted to medical school.
Overall, these proposed changes signal a significant shift in the way medical school admissions are managed in Italy. With the goal of creating a fair and effective system for selecting future medical professionals, the government’s initiatives have the potential to address longstanding issues and pave the way for a more transparent and equitable admission process.