Chemistry, Physics & Biology: Filter Semester

The filter semester exams for Medicine require targeted preparation across three subjects — Chemistry and Introductory Biochemistry, Physics and Biology — with 31 questions per exam in 45 minutes. In the first 2025/2026 cycle, Physics was the most selective subject with only 9-17% passing on the first attempt. Effective preparation combines theoretical study based on ministerial syllabi, intensive practice in the exam format (15 multiple choice + 16 fill-in-the-blank) and strategic management of the -0.10 penalty for incorrect answers.

In this guide:

• The exam format: what you need to know before studying
• Chemistry and introductory biochemistry: strategy for the first exam
• Physics: how to tackle the most selective subject
• Biology: don't underestimate the third exam
• Time management: 45 minutes for 31 questions
• Study plan: how many weeks you really need
• FAQ

The exam format: what you need to know before studying

Each exam features 31 questions in 45 minutes (approximately 87 seconds per question): 15 multiple-choice and 16 fill-in-the-blank (short answers with no options — harder because you cannot use elimination). Scoring is +1/0/-0.10 with a threshold of 18/30 per subject. Fixed order: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, with 15-minute breaks between exams.

Before opening a book, you need to thoroughly understand the exam format. The filter semester exams are not traditional quizzes: the mix of multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions, combined with the penalty and tight time constraints, creates specific dynamics that influence how you should prepare.

Each exam features 31 questions in 45 minutes: 15 multiple choice (5 options, only one correct) and 16 fill-in-the-blank. The approximate distribution of the overall programme breaks down to Chemistry ~40%, Physics ~30%, Biology ~30% in terms of study load, reflecting the broader scope of the Chemistry syllabus. Fill-in-the-blank questions require a short answer — a word, a number, a formula — with no options to choose from. This makes them structurally harder: you cannot use the process of elimination.

The scoring: +1 for a correct answer, 0 for no answer, -0.10 for an incorrect answer. The passing threshold is 18/30 per subject, with no compensation between subjects.

Average time available: approximately 87 seconds per question. That sounds generous, but it is not — especially for Physics questions requiring calculations, or Chemistry questions with molecular structures to analyse.

Fixed order: Chemistry, then Physics, then Biology, with 15-minute breaks between exams. This order matters: you arrive at the third exam (Biology) after roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes of concentration. Energy management is part of the preparation.

For the full picture on regulations, rankings and first-cycle numbers: Filter Semester Medicine: How It Works and How to Prepare

Chemistry and introductory biochemistry: strategy for the first exam

Chemistry had the highest pass rate in the first cycle (over 24,000 passed), but the syllabus is broad: 7 teaching units from atomic structure to biochemistry. High-probability topics are stoichiometry and calculations, chemical equilibria and pH, organic chemistry (functional groups), basic biochemistry. The strategy: fundamentals first, selective deepening next, exercises in the exam format always.

Chemistry is the subject with the highest pass rate in the first cycle (over 24,000 passed across the two sittings), but that does not make it easy. The syllabus is broad: 7 teaching units spanning from atomic structure to the biochemistry of macromolecules.

High-probability topics

The programme (Ministerial Decree 418/2025) covers everything needed for a first year of Medicine, but certain areas appear with greater frequency in assessments:

Stoichiometry and calculations — balancing reactions, mole calculations, concentrations (molarity, molality, normality), dilutions. These topics lend themselves to both multiple-choice and numerical fill-in-the-blank questions. If you cannot calculate a concentration in 60 seconds, you are not ready.

Chemical equilibria and pH — equilibrium constants, acids and bases, buffer solutions, pH of strong and weak acids. Physiological buffers are a direct point of contact with medicine and are emphasised in the syllabus. Fill-in-the-blank questions here often ask for a numerical pH value.

Organic chemistry and functional groups — recognition and nomenclature of the main classes of organic compounds (alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amides), their reactivity. You don't need to draw a complex reaction mechanism, but you must recognise a functional group and predict the product of a basic reaction.

Basic biochemistry — structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides. The peptide bond, the glycosidic bond, primary-to-quaternary protein structure. This part bridges to Biology and is often tested with conceptual questions.

How to study Chemistry

The main risk is getting lost in details. The syllabus includes topics like keto-enol tautomerism and Claisen condensation — important for a university course, less likely in a 31-question exam. The strategy:

First phase — cover the fundamentals: atomic structure, periodic table, bonds, inorganic and organic nomenclature, stoichiometry. These are the foundations without which nothing else holds up. If you have gaps here, you must fill them before moving on.

Second phase — selective deepening: chemical thermodynamics (enthalpy, entropy, free energy), kinetics, equilibria, electrochemistry. These topics require both conceptual understanding and calculation ability.

Third phase — applied biochemistry: macromolecules, their structure and function, biological relevance. Study these topics by continuously making connections with Biology — they will come in handy for the third exam.

Each phase should include exercises in the exam format: not just "study and review," but "solve 10 questions in 15 minutes and check where I go wrong." This deliberate practice approach is at the core of the Up to Ten method.

Chemistry tutoring in Milan — personalised pathways

Physics: how to tackle the most selective subject

Physics was the filter subject of the filter semester: approximately 11,000 passed compared to over 24,000 in Chemistry, with first-sitting pass rates between 9% and 17%. The problem is not just the weight (one-third of the selection), but that fill-in-the-blank questions require calculations and numerical results — knowing is not enough, you must be able to do. The strategy: treat Physics as the subject that determines whether you get in or not.

The national pass rate for the filter semester is estimated at around 50-60%, but it varies significantly by university — and Physics was the filter subject of the filter semester. With approximately 11,000 passing compared to over 24,000 in Chemistry, it proved to be the real barrier to entering Medicine. On the first sitting, the pass rate ranged between 9% and 17% depending on the university. These percentages are not normal for a university exam — they indicate a misalignment between students' preparation level and the level required by the exam.

Why Physics is so difficult in the filter semester

In the old Medicine entrance exam, Physics accounted for roughly 4 questions out of 60 — a marginal role. In the filter semester, it counts for exactly one-third of the selection. For students from classical high school, language high school or vocational schools, this is a structural change: Physics is no longer a detail, it is one-third of your academic future.

But the problem is not just the weight. Physics questions, especially fill-in-the-blank ones, require you to perform calculations and obtain a numerical result. It is not enough to "know that kinetic energy is ½·m·v²" — you must calculate it with the given data, in correct units, in under 90 seconds. This requires an operational fluency that can only be acquired through repeated practice.

Key topics

The Physics syllabus covers 7 teaching units with biomedical applications. The topics with the greatest impact on exams:

Mechanics and forces — kinematics, Newton's laws, work and energy, momentum. These topics generate both conceptual questions ("which quantity is conserved in an elastic collision?") and calculation questions ("a body of mass m moves at velocity v, calculate..."). They are the foundation of everything: without fluency here, the rest falls apart.

Fluids and pressure — Pascal's law, Archimedes' principle, continuity equation, Bernoulli's theorem, viscosity. These topics have direct medical applications (blood pressure, blood flow, pulmonary ventilation) and are therefore emphasised in the syllabus.

Thermodynamics — principles of thermodynamics, state functions, transformations, ideal gases. Questions can be conceptual ("in which transformation does the entropy of the universe increase?") or numerical ("calculate the work done by an ideal gas in an isothermal expansion").

Electricity and circuits — electric field, potential, capacitors, current, resistance, Ohm's and Kirchhoff's laws. Biomedical applications (ECG, membrane potentials, defibrillator) make this a high-probability topic.

Optics and radiation — reflection, refraction, lenses, the human eye, electromagnetic spectrum, ionizing radiation. The last teaching unit, but not the least important: radiation has obvious medical relevance.

How to study Physics for the filter semester

The strategy is different from Chemistry or Biology. Understanding is not enough — you need to be able to do the work.

Weeks 1-2: diagnosis and fundamentals. Take a diagnostic test to assess where you stand. If you cannot solve a basic mechanics problem (like: "A body falls from 5 metres, at what speed does it hit the ground?"), you need an intervention on the fundamentals. Dedicate these weeks to mechanics and forces — if these are solid, the rest follows more easily.

Weeks 3-5: thematic blocks. One block at a time: fluids, thermodynamics, electricity. For each block: understand the concept, look at worked examples, solve 20-30 progressive exercises, then do a timed mini-simulation of 8-10 questions.

Weeks 6-8: simulations and refinement. Full simulations (31 questions, 45 minutes) once a week. Analyse every mistake: is it a conceptual error, a calculation error, or a time error? Each requires a different intervention. Calculation errors decrease with practice; conceptual errors require going back to theory; time errors require improving efficiency in reading the problem.

Critical tool: a calculator is allowed during the exam, but excessive reliance on the calculator slows you down. Practice quick mental arithmetic — orders of magnitude, unit conversions, simple fractions. This saves you 5-10 seconds per question, which over 31 questions means 2-5 extra minutes.

If you are starting from a weak foundation — and by "weak" I mean you did not study Physics seriously in high school, or you did but have forgotten most of it — the self-study path may not be enough. A tutor who knows the filter semester format, identifies gaps and builds a targeted pathway matched to your level is the investment with the most measurable return: the difference between the 9% who pass Physics on the first sitting and the 91% who don't largely comes down to the quality of individual preparation. Those with pre-existing gaps in high school math and physics can start with a summer recovery pathway before tackling the semester.

Physics tutoring in Milan — specialised tutors for every level

Biology: don't underestimate the third exam

Biology had over 21,000 passed in the first cycle, but underestimating it is a mistake: it is the third exam of the day (after 2+ hours of concentration), and the programme goes beyond high school level with topics like oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Key areas are cell fundamentals, energy metabolism, classical and molecular genetics, cell division. Simulate the full sequence at least once to manage fatigue.

Biology has the most "accessible" profile among the three subjects — over 21,000 passed in the first cycle — but underestimating it is a costly mistake. It is the third exam of the day, when concentration and mental sharpness decline, and the programme is broader than it appears.

The programme: this is not high school Biology

The syllabus covers 7 teaching units ranging from cellular organisation to molecular genetics, with topics like cell proliferation control (oncogenes, tumor suppressors) that clearly go beyond the high school curriculum.

Cell fundamentals — cell theory, differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, biological membranes, active and passive transport, osmosis. These are foundational: if you are not clear on the differences between active and passive transport, many subsequent questions will not make sense.

Energy metabolism — glycolysis, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain, oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis. You do not need to memorise every intermediate of the Krebs cycle, but you must know how many ATP molecules it produces, where it occurs, and what the overall energy balance is.

Classical and molecular genetics — Mendel's laws, Mendelian extensions, DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation, genetic code, mutations. Genetics is an area where fill-in-the-blank questions can ask for a specific result ("how many different gametes does an individual with genotype AaBbCc produce?").

Cell division — mitosis, meiosis, cell cycle, checkpoints. The differences between mitosis and meiosis and the consequences of meiotic anomalies (trisomies, monosomies) are classic multiple-choice topics.

Basic histology and proliferation control — tissue types, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes. This is the most advanced unit and the one where many students have gaps.

How to study Biology

Biology is a subject of "intelligent memorisation": you do not need to memorise everything, but you need a solid conceptual map where every concept connects to the others.

Framework first, details later. Start by building a visual diagram for each unit: how do the concepts connect? Glycolysis leads to the Krebs cycle which feeds the respiratory chain. Replication precedes transcription which precedes translation. Having the big picture is more useful than knowing every single enzyme.

Connect with Chemistry. Many Biology topics require chemical foundations: macromolecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids) are covered in both syllabi. Study these topics once, building explicit bridges between the two subjects. A question about a peptide bond can appear in both exams — the understanding is the same.

Practice fill-in-the-blank questions. Fill-in-the-blank questions in Biology often ask for a specific term ("the process by which a pre-mRNA is cut to remove introns is called ___") or a value ("the genetic code is composed of ___ different codons"). Terminological precision matters: "splicing" is the correct answer, "RNA cutting" might not be accepted.

Don't underestimate fatigue. Biology is the third exam. After 45 minutes of Chemistry, 15 minutes of break, 45 minutes of Physics, 15 minutes of break, you arrive at Biology after about 2 hours. Simulate this sequence at least once: take the three exams in a row, with the same breaks, and observe where your performance drops. If fatigue costs you 3-4 points in Biology, knowing that this happens allows you to manage it (substantial breakfast, active break with movement, refocusing techniques).

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Time management: 45 minutes for 31 questions

The two-pass strategy is essential: first pass (25-28 minutes) to answer confident questions in under 60 seconds and mark uncertain ones, second pass (17-20 minutes) to return to marked questions. For multiple-choice questions, answer if you can eliminate at least one option (positive expected value). For fill-in-the-blank questions, answer only if reasonably confident — the probability of guessing correctly is close to zero.

Time management is the factor that separates those who pass the exam from those who have the knowledge but cannot translate it into a passing score.

The "two-pass" strategy

First pass (25-28 minutes): go through all 31 questions in order. Answer immediately those you can solve in under 60 seconds. Mark those that require more time or reflection. Don't get stuck: if after 90 seconds you don't have an answer, move on.

Second pass (17-20 minutes): return to the marked questions, starting with those where you are most likely to answer correctly. Here you can spend 2-3 minutes per question if needed.

This strategy has a psychological advantage: after the first pass you already know how many questions you answered with confidence, and you can calibrate your risk in the second pass. If you already have 22 confident answers, you can afford to skip the remaining 9 without anxiety.

When to skip with -0.10 penalty

The practical rule for multiple-choice questions (5 options): if you can eliminate at least one option, answer. The expected value is positive even if you guess randomly among 4 options: (+1 x 0.25) + (-0.10 x 0.75) = +0.175. Only skip if you are in total uncertainty.

For fill-in-the-blank questions: the situation is different. There are no options to eliminate. Answer only if you are reasonably confident. A fill-in-the-blank error (wrong answer) costs -0.10 just like a multiple-choice error, but the probability of guessing correctly is close to zero.

The passing calculation

To reach 18/30, on 31 questions you need approximately 18 net points. If you answer 25 questions and get 5 wrong: 20 x 1 + 5 x (-0.10) = 19.5 — rounded to 20. If you answer 22 and get 4 wrong: 18 x 1 + 4 x (-0.10) = 17.6 — not rounded because it is below 18. The threshold is tight: a few mistakes make the difference. This is why accuracy matters more than completeness.

Study plan: how many weeks you really need

Three realistic profiles: scientific high school with good foundations requires 6-8 weeks (2-3 hours/day, distribution 30% Physics, 30% Chemistry, 25% Biology, 15% simulations); classical/language high school or inconsistent foundations requires 12-16 weeks (3-4 hours/day, 40% Physics); starting from scratch or after a failed cycle requires 20+ weeks with individual tutoring. Recommended weekly hours are 25-30.

The answer depends entirely on your starting point. The recommended weekly study hours to pass the filter semester are around 25-30 hours, strategically distributed across the three subjects. Here are three realistic profiles.

Profile 1: scientific high school with good foundations (6-8 weeks)

If you graduated from a scientific high school with 7+ in math, physics and sciences, you have the foundations. The filter semester requires a university level, but the gap is bridgeable. Dedicate the first 2 weeks to a quick review of fundamentals by subject, weeks 3-5 to deepening and intensive practice, weeks 6-8 to full simulations in the exam format.

Weekly plan: 2-3 hours per day, 6 days out of 7. Distribution: 30% Physics, 30% Chemistry, 25% Biology, 15% cross-subject simulations.

Profile 2: classical/language high school or inconsistent foundations (12-16 weeks)

If Physics and Chemistry stayed at a surface level in high school, you need at least 12 weeks. The first 4 weeks must fill foundational gaps (mechanics, stoichiometry, the cell), weeks 5-10 cover the programme with constant practice, weeks 11-16 are dedicated to simulations and refinement.

Weekly plan: 3-4 hours per day, 6 days out of 7. Distribution: 40% Physics (the most likely gap), 30% Chemistry, 20% Biology, 10% simulations.

With this profile, the support of a specialised tutor makes a concrete difference. Physics gaps accumulated over 5 years of high school cannot be filled in 4 weeks of self-study — a tutor who identifies weak points and builds a progressive pathway accelerates the process.

Profile 3: starting from scratch or after a failed cycle (20+ weeks)

Those retaking after a first failed attempt, or those starting without solid scientific foundations, need a long, structured pathway. The advantage: you already know what to expect, you know the format, and you have a clear idea of your gaps.

Weekly plan: 3-4 hours per day, including individual tutoring 2-3 times a week. Distribution: customized based on the initial assessment.

At Up to Ten, we build the preparation pathway around each student's actual gaps. Our Chemistry, Physics and Biology tutors track every session in the Up to Connect platform — topics, exercises, results — so you and your parents can see exactly where you stand.

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FAQ

What is the hardest subject in the filter semester? Data from the first 2025/2026 cycle point to Physics as the most selective subject: approximately 11,000 passed across the two sittings, compared to over 24,000 in Chemistry and over 21,000 in Biology. The pass rate on the first sitting ranged between 9% and 17%. Physics requires calculation and formalization skills that the other subjects demand less.

How many months does it take to prepare for the filter semester? It depends on your starting point. Those with good scientific foundations can prepare in 6-8 weeks of intensive study. Those starting with significant gaps — especially in Physics — should begin at least 12-16 weeks before the exams. Those retaking after a failed attempt can calibrate the plan to the specific gaps that emerged.

How do fill-in-the-blank questions work? There are 16 out of 31 for each subject. They require a short answer — a term, a numerical value, a formula, the name of a process or compound. There are no options to choose from: you must know the answer. The penalty for an error is the same as for multiple choice (-0.10), but the probability of guessing correctly is much lower, so skipping is often the right choice when you are uncertain.

Do I need to study mathematics to prepare for the filter semester? Mathematics is not one of the three exam subjects, but it is an explicit prerequisite in all three syllabi. For Physics, you need derivatives, basic integrals, trigonometric functions and vector operations. For Chemistry, you need logarithms (for pH), proportions and stoichiometric calculations. Those with math gaps must fill them before tackling Physics and Chemistry — a course of math tutoring can accelerate this process.

Can I prepare just with the university lectures during the semester? The first cycle showed that for the majority of students, lectures alone are not enough: only 10-15% passed all three exams on the first sitting. The programmes are vast, lecture time is compressed (about two effective months), and the required level exceeds average high school preparation. Supplementary preparation — self-directed or with support — is strongly advisable. The same Chemistry, Physics and Biology skills are also useful for those considering the TOLC-I as an alternative pathway towards scientific faculties.

How do I manage fatigue during the three exams? The three exams take place in sequence (Chemistry, Physics, Biology) with 15-minute breaks. The entire session lasts approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Practical tips: a light but energizing breakfast, hydration during breaks, a few minutes of movement (standing up, light stretching) during breaks, and avoid dwelling on the exam you just finished. Simulate this sequence at least once during preparation to understand how you react to fatigue.

Is it worth rejecting the first sitting grade to improve? This is a high-risk decision. If you reject a passing grade (18 or above) on the first sitting and do not reach 18 on the second, in 2025/2026 Ministerial Decree 1115/2025 allowed recovery of the rejected grade — but this was a transitional measure, not guaranteed to be confirmed. The prudent rule: accept a passing grade on the first sitting unless you are reasonably certain of significantly improving on the second.

Are there official Ministry simulations? As of February 2026, the Ministry has not published sample exams or official simulations. Several preparation platforms offer simulations that replicate the format (31 questions, 45 minutes, 15 multiple choice + 16 fill-in-the-blank, -0.10 penalty), but none are official. Verify that the simulations you use follow the ministerial format and cover the topics of the Ministerial Decree 418/2025 syllabus.