Debrecen · Preparation
How to prepare for the Debrecen entrance exam
Checked against the University of Debrecen's official pages on 26 October 2026. The University of Debrecen has not published its 2027/28 exam dates or fees yet; the fees quoted are for students admitted for 2026/27.
Key figures
- multiple-choice questions: Biology, then Chemistry or Physics
- 2 × 20
- points of written tasks on each official sample paper
- 30
- per written test: 45 on the entrance-exam page, 50 in the FAQ
- 45 or 50 min
- before an exam committee, on the same two subjects
- 1 oral
The University of Debrecen's entrance exam for Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and the Basic Medicine Course has two parts: a written test in Biology and in Chemistry or Physics, then an oral exam in the same two subjects. Each written paper mixes multiple-choice questions with tasks you write out yourself. Preparing well means choosing your second subject early, practising both kinds of question, and practising explaining aloud. This page sets out what each part asks, what Debrecen gives you to prepare with, and a plan for the time you have.
In short
- Biology is compulsory. You choose Chemistry or Physics as the second subject, so you sit two written papers, not three.
- Each official sample paper has 20 multiple-choice questions with five options, plus written tasks worth 30 points: naming, definitions, calculations and problems.
- The time per paper is 45 minutes on the entrance-exam page and 50 minutes in the FAQ. Debrecen has not said which is right, so practise at 45.
- Debrecen publishes one topic list and one recommended textbook per subject, and a sample test for each. It publishes no past papers and no answer keys.
What each part of the exam asks
The entrance-exam page describes the written test as 'comprised of multiple-choice questions, definitions, calculations, etc.' in Biology and in Chemistry or Physics, then 'an oral exam in Biology and Physics or Chemistry'. The exam is held in English.
| Part | Format | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, written (compulsory) | 20 multiple-choice questions and 30 points of written tasks on the sample paper; 45 or 50 minutes | Debrecen's 16 numbered topics: the eukaryotic cell, metabolic pathways and enzymes, DNA and replication, mitosis and meiosis, Mendelian genetics, X-linkage and linkage, translation, and the human respiratory, circulatory, digestive, excretory, nervous, endocrine, muscular and immune systems. |
| Chemistry, written (if you choose it) | The same format | Debrecen's list in three parts: general chemistry (from the SI system and stoichiometry to equilibrium, acids and bases, thermochemistry and redox), inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry up to isomerism. |
| Physics, written (if you choose it) | The same format | Debrecen's list under six headings: mechanics, thermodynamics, vibrations and waves, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and modern physics. |
| Oral exam | Candidates are 'interviewed one by one by an exam committee' (FAQ) | Biology and the second subject you chose. No list of oral questions is published. |
What Debrecen gives you to prepare with
Debrecen's 'Exam topics and sample tests' page has two PDFs per subject for Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and the Basic Medicine Course. Use those, not the files listed for the non-medical BSc programmes on the same page.
- A topic list for each subject, one page long, ending with the textbook Debrecen names.
- Three textbooks, one per subject: Sadava, Heller, Orians, Purves and Hillis, Life: The Science of Biology (8th edition); McMurry and Fay, Chemistry (6th edition, 2012); Serway, Faughn and Vuille, College Physics (9th edition, 2012).
- A sample test for each subject: 20 multiple-choice questions and the written tasks, with no answer key.
The Mathematics topics and sample test on the same page are 'for Non-Medical BSc Programs' only. The medical exam has no Mathematics paper.
Six things that make the difference
These are IvyTest's suggestions, built on what Debrecen publishes.
01
Choose your second subject early
You sit Chemistry or Physics, never both. Decide in the first weeks, on evidence, and then prepare only that one. Preparing both halves the time each one gets.
02
Practise the written tasks, not only the multiple choice
Each sample paper sets 30 points of tasks: naming a labelled structure, writing a definition, laying out a calculation, solving a longer problem. Recognising the right option among five does not train you to write an answer out.
03
Train at 45 minutes a paper
The entrance-exam page says 45 minutes and the FAQ says 50. If you are used to 45, an extra five minutes can only help.
04
Work from the official lists and textbooks
Each topic list names one textbook. Use it to judge how deep a topic goes, and tick off every line of the list for your two subjects.
05
Learn the science in English
The exam is held in English. Debrecen's Medicine page says English proficiency is 'assessed at the compulsory entrance examination'. Learn the terms of each topic in English, and say them aloud.
06
Prepare the oral alongside the written test
The oral covers the same two subjects. Explaining a topic aloud is revision for both parts, so start doing it early, not after the written test.
A plan for the time you have
These are IvyTest's suggestions, not Debrecen's. Start by sitting the Biology sample and one sample in each of Chemistry and Physics, 45 minutes each, and mark both the questions and the written tasks.
| Time to the exam | Focus |
|---|---|
| 12 weeks or more | Choose Chemistry or Physics in week one. Work through every line of the two topic lists with the named textbooks. From the start, write out definitions and full calculations, not only answers to multiple-choice questions. |
| 8 weeks | Alternate Biology and your second subject each week. One full timed mock a week (two papers, 45 minutes each), marked the same day. Start explaining topics aloud in English. |
| 4 weeks | Two full mocks a week. Keep about a third of each session for the written tasks. Rehearse the oral with someone who asks follow-up questions. |
| Under 4 weeks | No new topics. Revise the topics your mocks show weakest in both subjects, sit two full mocks in the last ten days, and spend the time saved on speaking practice. |
What Debrecen prep should cover
Whatever you prepare with, a course, a tutor or books, check it against the exam as Debrecen describes it. IvyTest is independent and not affiliated with the University of Debrecen.
- Biology and the second subject you chose, at the depth of Debrecen's own topic lists.
- The written tasks (naming, definitions, calculations, problems), not only multiple-choice questions.
- Five-option questions, as on Debrecen's sample tests.
- Timed practice at 45 minutes a paper.
- Practice for the oral, aloud and in English, on the same two subjects.
Questions
How long does it take to prepare for the Debrecen entrance exam?
Debrecen gives no figure. Twelve weeks or more lets you cover Biology and your second subject from the official lists and practise the oral. With less time, choose your second subject at once and spend most of the time on timed practice and on explaining topics aloud.
What books does Debrecen recommend?
One per subject, named at the end of each topic list: Sadava et al., Life: The Science of Biology (8th edition); McMurry and Fay, Chemistry (6th edition, 2012); and Serway, Faughn and Vuille, College Physics (9th edition, 2012). You need Biology and one of the other two.
Is English tested in the Debrecen entrance exam?
There is no separate English paper. The exam is held in English, and Debrecen's Medicine page says English proficiency is 'assessed at the compulsory entrance examination'. To apply, you also need a B2 English certificate from a proctored test, unless you are a native speaker or were schooled in English.
Is there a Mathematics paper in the Debrecen medical entrance exam?
No. The Mathematics topics and sample test on Debrecen's 'Exam topics and sample tests' page are for its non-medical BSc programmes only. For Medicine you sit Biology and either Chemistry or Physics.
Official sources
Every figure on this page was read on the source itself on the date above. (26 October 2026)
- University of Debrecen · Entrance Examination/Interview
- University of Debrecen · Exam topics and sample tests
- University of Debrecen · Topics on Biology for Admission Test (PDF)
- University of Debrecen · Topics on Chemistry for Admission Test (PDF)
- University of Debrecen · Topics on Physics for Admission Test (PDF)
- University of Debrecen · Frequently Asked Questions
- University of Debrecen · Medicine, Full-time Graduate Program
- University of Debrecen · Application and admission
Practise in the real format
The free sample test has Biology, Chemistry and Physics, each with 20 five-option questions and four written tasks worth 30 points, with every answer explained and a model answer for every task. Sit Biology and the second subject you will choose. When you want more, the IvyTest Debrecen package adds a full simulator, the study guide, lessons and application support.
The Debrecen entrance exam, one question at a time
- How to prepare for the Debrecen entrance examYou are here
- Debrecen exam dates 2027: deadlines and results
- Debrecen scoring: pass mark, marking and guessing
- Debrecen past papers and the official sample tests
- The Debrecen interview and oral exam
- Chemistry or Physics: choosing your second subject