🏠 Home
Universities
🎓 All Universities 💰 Budget Predictor
More
📝 Exams 🏆 Scholarships 📰 Blogs ✍️ Application Mentorship 🛍️ Dream Admit Store 🛒 Cart 👥 About Us 📞 Contact
Account
🔐 Sign In ✨ Sign Up Free
CILS
Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera
🗣️ Language Proficiency Paper-based with Oral Interview ⏱ Valid: Lifetime Since 1993 ⚡ Moderate to High
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
📝 Register Now 🌐 Official Site
›
Score Range
60 to 100
Exam Fee
$150
Duration
120 to 300 minutes
Questions
30 to 60 items depending on the proficiency level
Score Valid
Lifetime
Frequency
2 to 5 times per year
Accepted By
Over 500
Pass Rate
65%
Difficulty
Moderate to High
📝 Register for CILS 🌐 Official Website ✍️ Need application help? →
Quick Summary

CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) is a language proficiency conducted by Università per Stranieri di Siena. Scores range from 60 to 100, valid for Lifetime, with a total duration of 120 to 300 minutes. Accepted by Over 500, the exam fee is $150, with moderate to high difficulty level.

📋 Exam Overview
🎯
Score Range
60 to 100
⏱
Duration
120 to 300 minutes
💳
Fee
$150
📅
Valid For
Lifetime
🖥
Mode
Paper-based with Oral Interview
🌍
Accepted By
Over 500
🗓
Frequency
2 to 5 times per year
🏛
Conducted By
Università per Stranieri di Siena
❓
Total Qs
30 to 60 items depending on the proficiency level
📑
Sections
Ascolto, Comprensione della lettura, Analisi delle strutture di comunicazione, Produzione scritta, Produzione orale
⚡
Difficulty
Moderate to High
📊
Pass Rate
65%
The certification of Italian as a foreign language by the University of Siena.
👤 Who Should Take This Exam?
Non-native Italian speakers seeking university admission in Italy, Italian citizenship, or employment in Italian-speaking environments.
🎓 Education Level
International (A1 to C2 CEFR)
🌍 Accepted In
Italy Switzerland Malta and globally by Italian consulates
📝 Exam Structure & Format
Question Types
Multiple choice, gap filling, matching, open-ended questions, short essays, and oral dialogue.
Language / Medium
Italian
Total Duration
120 to 300 minutes
Retake Policy
Candidates can retake only the failed sections within 18 months of the first attempt.
Total Questions
30 to 60 items depending on the proficiency level
Sections
Ascolto, Comprensione della lettura, Analisi delle strutture di comunicazione, Produzione scritta, Produzione orale
⚙️ More format details (timing, marking, equipment)See all ▾
Time Per Section
30 to 70 minutes per section depending on the specific level (A1-C2).
Negative Marking
No
Calculator Allowed
No
Scratch Paper
Yes
Breaks Allowed
Yes
Home Edition
No
Digital vs Paper
CILS remains primarily a paper-based exam to ensure standardization across remote global testing centers.
📑 Section Details
Ascolto tests oral comprehension; Lettura tests reading skills; Analisi tests grammar and syntax; Scritta requires two compositions; Orale consists of a monologue and a dialogue.
🎯 Scoring System
Score Range
60 to 100
Good / Passing Score
Minimum 11/20 or 12/20 per section
How Scoring Works
The exam is divided into five parts. Each part is graded independently, and a passing grade must be achieved in every single part to obtain the certification.
🏆 Minimum Scores for Top Universities
Varies by level, typically 11 points out of 20 for each of the five sections.
📊 Section / sub-scoresSee all ▾
Writing
Yes
Speaking
Yes
Listening
Yes
Reading
Yes
Grammar
Yes
Vocabulary
Yes
Analytical
Not specified
Quantitative
Not applicable
Verbal
Yes
Subject
Yes
All Sub-Scores
Yes
📈 Avg First Attempt
72
🔼 Score Improvement
20% increase on retakes of specific sections.
💳 Registration & Fees
Fee (USD)
$150
See all ▾
150
Fee (INR)
₹12500
See all ▾
12500
Other
€40 to €160 depending on level
📝 Register Now →
📋 Policies (rescheduling, cancellation, verification, waivers)See all ▾
⏰ Register in Advance
45 to 60 days
🔄 Rescheduling Policy
Generally not permitted; fees are forfeited unless for documented medical emergencies.
❌ Cancellation Policy
Registration fees are usually non-refundable but may be deferred to a later session for a fee or with a medical certificate.
🔍 Score Verification
Yes
📋 Score Audit
Yes
↩ Reinstatement Policy
Not applicable
🎁 Fee Waiver Criteria
Not specified
📅 Exam Dates & Schedule
📆 Available Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
🔁 Frequency
2 to 5 times per year
📊 Results Declared
2 to 4 months
🔄 Retake Policy
Candidates can retake only the failed sections within 18 months of the first attempt.
⏰ Register By
45 to 60 days
✅ Eligibility & Access
🎂 Age Limit
None
🎓 Education Required
None
🛂 Citizenship
No
📍 Test Centers
Over 500 accredited centers worldwide
More on accommodations, ID, and special versionsSee all ▾
🪪 ID Required
Yes
♿ Accessibility
Special arrangements like extended time or braille papers are available for candidates with certified disabilities.
🔀 Special Versions
CILS Adolescenti, CILS Integrazione, CILS B1 Cittadinanza
📐 Subject Variants
General Italian, Integration Italian
🤝 Disability Accommodations
Provided upon submission of a medical certificate at the time of registration.
🗓 Exam Day Guide
✅ What to Bring
Registration receipt, passport or national ID, and black/blue pens.
🚫 Prohibited Items
Mobile phones, smartwatches, dictionaries, textbooks, and loose paper.
📋 Exam Day Rules
Arrive 30 minutes early, bring a valid photo ID, no electronic devices allowed, and use only black or blue ink pens.
After the exam: score reporting and deliverySee all ▾
⏱ Score Reporting
60 to 90 days after the exam date
📤 Score Sending
Digital results viewing followed by a physical certificate sent to the test center.
🎓 Score Recipients
Italian Ministry of Interior, Italian Universities, Global Employers
📚 Preparation Guide
📅 Recommended Prep Time
3 to 6 months
🗓 Avg Prep Months
4 months
Preparation involves comprehensive study of Italian grammar, vocabulary, and culture aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
💡 Top Tips & Tricks
Focus on the 'Analisi delle strutture di comunicazione' section as it is often the most technical. Practice listening to diverse Italian accents and speeds.
Full study plan, resources, and common mistakesSee all ▾
📅 Study Plan
A 12-week study plan is recommended, dedicating two weeks to each section of the exam and the final two weeks to full-length timed mock tests.
📖 Recommended Books
Quaderni CILS, Percorso CILS, Linee Guida CILS, and L'Italiano per Stranieri.
🏫 Popular Prep Courses
Dante Alighieri Society courses, Unistrasi online modules, and local Italian Cultural Institutes.
📱 Popular Prep Apps
Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu, Quizlet
✅ Official Practice Tests
Available for download on the Università per Stranieri di Siena official website.
🆓 Free Online Resources
Official sample papers from the Unistrasi website, Italian Cultural Institute archives, and Rai Cultura Italiano.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mismanaging time during the writing task and failing to use formal registers during the oral interview. Many students also neglect the specific B1 Citizenship format.
💡 EduAtlasHub Exclusive Insights
🔍 Insider Tips
In the listening section, the audio is played twice; use the first time for general understanding and the second for specific details. Use a black pen only for clarity during scanning.
⭐ Unique Features
The modular retake system allows candidates to save passing scores for individual sections for up to 18 months.
🎓 How This Score Impacts Your Application
Essential for obtaining long-term EU residency in Italy and mandatory at the B1 level for Italian citizenship applications.
More insights: country notes, comparisons, myths, examiner tipsSee all ▾
🌍 Country-Specific Notes
The CILS certificate is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education for university entry without further language tests.
⚖️ Comparison with Alternatives
CILS is often considered more academically rigorous than PLIDA and offers more flexibility than CELI by allowing section-only retakes.
🆕 Recent Changes
Implementation of a streamlined B1 exam specifically tailored for the Italian citizenship requirement law (Decreto Salvini).
🔜 Upcoming Changes
Expanded digital registration platforms and faster processing times for digital certificate issuance are expected.
🧐 Myths vs Facts
Myth: You must start from A1. Fact: You can take any level directly without prior certification. Myth: CILS expires. Fact: The certificate is valid forever.
👨‍🏫 Examiner Tips
Consistency in your level of formality is key during the oral part; do not switch between 'tu' and 'Lei' without reason.
🏆 Success Stories
Thousands of international students use CILS B2 to bypass Italian language entrance exams for medicine and engineering degrees.
📋 Post-Exam Steps
Check the Unistrasi portal using your matricola number after 60 days, then contact your test center for the hard copy.
🎯 Score Uses Beyond Admission
Professional licensing for doctors and lawyers in Italy, and visa requirement fulfillment for long-term residents.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the CILS score valid?+
The CILS score is valid for Lifetime.
How much does the CILS cost?+
The exam fee is $150 (approximately ₹12500 in India).
How often can I retake the CILS?+
Candidates can retake only the failed sections within 18 months of the first attempt.
When are CILS results declared?+
2 to 4 months
Which universities accept the CILS?+
CILS is accepted by Over 500.
Is a calculator allowed in the CILS?+
No
How should I prepare for the CILS?+
Preparation involves comprehensive study of Italian grammar, vocabulary, and culture aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
📝
Register for CILS
The certification of Italian as a foreign language by the University of Siena.
Register Now →
📊 Quick Facts
Official Site →
Conducted ByUniversità per Stranieri di Siena
Year Started1993
CategoryLanguage Proficiency
Last UpdatedJune 18, 2026
✍️ Need Application Help?
Our experts help craft winning SOPs and applications for your dream universities.
Get Expert Help →
🔗 Official Resources
🌐 Official Website 📝 Registration Portal 📋 All Exams Guide 🎓 Find Universities 💰 Find Scholarships