CILS: Exam preparation
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Sign up for freeThe CILS (Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language) is a certified language test for foreigners to examine their Italian language proficiency. The certificate is issued by the University of Siena.
With this test you can obtain the admission requirements for studying at Italian universities.
There are 3 categories of exams according to the candidates need:
Beginner | Independent learner | Advanced learner | |
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Exams |
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See the table below with the 6 respective levels:
CILS exam | Level | |
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1 | CILS A1 | A1 |
2 | CILS A2 | A2 |
3 | CILS One | B1 |
4 | CILS Two | B2 |
5 | CILS Three | C1 |
6 | CILS Four | C2 |
They are all Italian language certificates; The exams vary from level to level and are regulated by the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) so they present a similar structure. The only difference is that they are issued by 4 different bodies, one of which is private. The PLIDA in fact, since is issued by the private "Dante Alighieri Society", does not have the certainty of being recognized abroad.
Take online language lessons with a professional teacher
These certified exams are aimed at those who do not have Italian as their mother tongue. It is useful if you want to enter an Italian university without having to carry out an initial test or to work in Italy.
The CILS certificate is internationally recognised by the majority of institutions and companies.
In Italy the CILS certificate is accepted by universities as admission.
The following table shows the exam price according to the level chosen:
Level | CILS price | |
1 | A1 | 40 € |
2 | A2 | 40 € |
3 | B1 | 90 € |
4 | B2 | 105 € |
5 | C1 | 135 € |
6 | C2 | 160 € |
NOTE: The price may vary depending in which centre and country the exam takes place.
All certificates are regulated by CEFR and follow the same structure; the exam is divided in 4 activities:
Let's focus on the duration of the exams:
CILS exam | Duration | |
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1 | CILS A1 | 2h and 10min |
2 | CILS A2 | 2h and 55min |
3 | CILS One | 3h and 50min |
4 | CILS Two | 3h and 55 |
5 | CILS Three | 4h and 55min |
6 | CILS Four | 5h and 30min |
To obtain the certification it is necessary to pass all the 4 parts.
Evaluation criteria:
Exam | Description | |
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1 | A1 and A2 level tests | The total achievable from the test = 60 Minimum to pass = 35 |
2 | The integration module | The total achievable from the test = 60 Minimum to pass = 34 |
3 | Level A1 of the children module | The total achievable from the test = 48 Minimum to pass = 28 |
4 | Levels One-B1, Two-B2, Three-C1, Four-C2 | The total achievable from the test = 100 Minimum to pass is 55 |
If you reside in Italy:
If you live abroad:
You can register within the deadlines set by the institution.
The exam takes place at the University of Siena and in its offices around Italy.
In case you want to take the test abroad, contact the Italian Cultural Institutes.
The exam sessions take place twice a year: June and December.
To pass the exam with good grade you need to be prepared in advance on the form of the test and practice all the 4 activities. Online you can find samples of previous exams.
In addition, it is important to take familiarity with the language by practicing speaking with a mother tongue.
coLanguage offers 145 lessons and more than 280 exercises, which allow you to learn and understand Italian grammar.
This way you will improve your grammar for free and pass the exam with excellent grades.
The exam is repeatable as many times as desired, there are no limitations.
Also, it is possible to repeat individual sections however, within a year.
See the costs for each repeated exam on the table below:
CILS exam | Price repeated exam | |
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1 | CILS A1 | 12 € |
2 | CILS A2 | 12 € |
3 | CILS One | 22 € |
4 | CILS Two | 23 € |
5 | CILS Three | 30 € |
6 | CILS Four | 35 € |
At coLanguage you'll find professional language teachers who can help you prepare for the CILS exam.
Start practicing online with these exam samples: