IT
The Language Centre is an accredited centre for the CILS examinations.
The CILS Exam (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera, Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language) is a proficiency examination to demonstrate competence in the Italian language. CILS certificates are official recognitions of the attained level of linguistic competence of Italian as a foreign language. As a certificate of proficiency, the exam can be taken at every level of competence, from beginner to advanced.
Forthcoming CILS exam sessions
| DATE | REGISTRATION OPENING DATE | REGISTRATION DEADLINE | CILS LEVELS |
| 5 December 2024 * | A2 Integrazione and B1 Cittadinanza: from 10 to 17 October (from 9:00 AM) All the other levels: from 1 to 9 October | 17 October (2 Pm) | All the levels (A2 Integrazione, B1 Cittadinanza, B1 standard, B2, C1, C2 |
| 9 April 2025 * | (date to be set) | (date to be set) | A2 Integrazione B1 Cittadinanza |
| 11 June 2025 * | (date to be set) | (date to be set) | All the levels (A2 Integrazione, B1 Cittadinanza, B1 standard, B2, C1, C2 |
| 4 December 2025 * | (date to be set) | (date to be set) | All the levels (A2 Integrazione, B1 Cittadinanza, B1 standard, B2, C1, C2 |
The CILS Exam (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera, Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language) is a proficiency examination to demonstrate competence in the Italian language. A CILS certificate is an official recognitions of the attained level of linguistic competence in Italian as a foreign language. As a certificate of proficiency, the exam can be taken at every level of competence, from Beginner to Advanced.
The CILS is awarded by the Università per Stranieri di Siena and is recognised by the Italian state as a certification of proficiency in Italian as a foreign language. Most Italian universities adopt CILS certificates as an entrance requirement for prospective students, Erasmus students, and year-abroad students.
The CILS test is held twice a year, usually in June and December, at the centres accredited by the Università per Stranieri di Siena. The Centro Linguistico will organise adequate rooms and provide information about the timetable to the candidates one week prior to the scheduled exam date.
The Università per Stranieri di Siena is responsible for the exam papers, has established the competence standards in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and sets the examination dates.
Listening test
Reading comprehension
Use of the Italian language
Written test
Speaking test
Each CILS level denotes an ability to communicate which may be used in different contexts and situations.
The Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera covers six levels: Level A1, Level A2, Level ONE-B1, Level TWO-B2, Level THREE-C1 and Level FOUR-C2. Each of these represents a progressively higher level of linguistic - grammar, syntax, vocabulary - and communicative ability.
The levels correspond to the language proficiency levels described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
To book a CILS exam, email us at esamecils@unipv.it. In the enrolment period, you'll be sent an automated response that includes the instructions on how to sit the exam.
All learners of Italian as a foreign language, Italian citizens residing abroad (descendants of Italian emigrants), foreign citizens, and foreign immigrants in Italy may request to take the CILS exam. There are no age limits. Applicants are not obliged to possess educational certificates or degrees.
For intermediate students and above it is not necessary to have passed lower levels of the CILS exams in order to attempt higher levels. Candidate may prepare individually to sit the CILS exams.
EXAM FEES
| LEVEL | FEE FOR CANDIDATES TAKING THE ENTIRE EXAM | FEE FOR CANDIDATES RETAKING PARTS OF THE EXAM |
| A1 Integrazione | 40,00 € | - |
| A2 Integrazione | 40,00 € | - |
| UNO-B1 Cittadinanza | 100,00 € | - |
| UNO-B1 | 90,00 € | 22,00 € |
| DUE-B2 | 105,00 € | 23,00 € |
| TRE-C1 | 135,00 € | 30,00 € |
| QUATTRO-C2 | 160,00 € | 35,00 € |
Exam length
| Listening comprehension | Reading comprehension | Grammar | Break | Written production | Oral production | |
| A1 Integrazione | 30' | 30' | - | 15' | 30' | 10' |
| A2 Integrazione | 20' | 30' | - | 15' | 40' | 10' |
| UNO-B1 Cittadinanza | 30' | 40' | - | 15' | 40' | 10' |
| UNO-B1 | 30' | 50' | 60' | 15' | 1h:10' | 10' |
| DUE-B2 | 30' | 50' | 60' | 15' | 1h:10' | 15' |
| TRE-C1 | 40' | 1h:10' | 1h:15' | 15' | 1h:30' | 15' |
| QUATTRO-C2 | 50' | 1h:20' | 1h:20' | 15' | 1h:30' | 15' |
F.A.Q.s
Online Practice Papers are available from the Università per Stranieri di Siena. The Università per Stranieri di Siena has also released a guide (in Italian only) to the language skills tested for each paper.
An extensive collection of past papers is also available in the self-learning environment of the Language Centre; the books are free to borrow for one day, or available for photocopies to be made.
If a candidate is absent for medical reasons, a medical certificate stating the day of the exam missed must be supplied.
In case of absence for compassionate reasons, please send a note stating the reason to esamecils@unipv.it.
Documents must be supplied within 15 days of the exam date.
Fees cannot be refunded, but they will be transferred to a later exam period, upon payment of an administration penalty fee (10,00 €).
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Results for CILS exams are published within 2-4 months, depending on the level and the number of candidates. Please note that certificates are dispatched at a later date.
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Results of the level B1 Cittadinanza will be released online four to five weeks after the date of the exam.
An email with the marks will be sent to the venue and the results will be published on the following page. Candidates can log in using their ID Number and their date of birth.
On the same page candidates will be able to download a Statement of Results (pdf file).
In cases in which a certificate is lost, the Università per Stranieri di Siena can issue a duplicate copy.
The cost of the duplicate copy is 30,00 € + 16,00 € (duty stamp)
Candidates must write an email to segrcils@unistrasi.it providing the following information:- the application form - (download here).
- a copy of a valid ID document
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bank transfer receipt
- Bank details: Agenzia 13 del Monte dei Paschi di Siena - Piazza G. Amendola, 4 - Siena - Università per Stranieri di Siena, Italy
- IBAN: IT60T0103014217000000638892
- BIC: PASCITM1J25
- Reason for payment: “Duplicato CILS di [NOME] [COGNOME] - livello [LIVELLO] del [DATA]” Esempio: “Duplicato CILS - Mario Rossi - livello CILS B2 del 5/12/19”
If you have passed your exam, your certificate will be sent to our examination centre approximately one month after your results are published.
You will receive an email when the document is dispatched so that it can be collected in person or by an authorised person showing an authorisation letter.
The certificate will not be sent if you fail one or more parts of the exam, however you will be able to download a Statement of Results from the Results page.
If you fail one or more parts of the CILS B1, B2, C1, C2 exams, you will not have to repeat the entire examination: you can simply register for the parts you failed, paying a lower fee. Please check the Exam Fees table above.
You have 18 months to repeat the missing part/s; if you wait for longer than 18 months you will have to retake the entire exam, paying the whole fee.
