Imac 24 reading keyboard wrong

Try connecting a USB keyboard. Then start in Safe Mode

Start up your Mac with Apple silicon in safe mode

1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > Shut Down. Or from the Login Screen, or by pressing and holding the on button until it shuts down.
2. Wait for your Mac to shut down completely. A Mac is completely shut down when the screen is black and any lights (including in the Touch Bar) are off.
3. Press and hold the power button on your Mac until “Loading startup options” appears.
4. Select a volume.
5. Press and hold the Shift key, then click Continue in Safe Mode.
6. The computer restarts automatically. When the login window appears, you should see “Safe Boot” in the menu bar.

Dragonmom19 wrote: My brand new imac 24 is reading q for a and m for ;.

You have the wrong keyboard/input source active, sounds like French instead of US.

Try typing your password from this picture

Or do you see an icon at the top of the login page where you can choose a different keyboard, like US?