Italian version
The CILS (Certificate of Italian as a Foreign Language) certifies language and communication ability in Italian as a second language. This certification is officially recognized by EALTA (European Language Testing Association), the European association which aims to promote awareness of language testing best practice in Europe.
Next exam session: 11/06/2025. Registration from 3 March to 9 April
Levels
The CILS certification covers all six levels of language and communication ability (from A1 to C2) as set out by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
CILS examinations for the following levels can be taken at our Centre:
- ONE-B1 (B1 Standard, B1 Citizenship)
- TWO-B2
- THREE-C1
- FOUR-C2
N.B. In order to enrol in the OSS course it is necessary to take the B1 Standard level (or higher levels): B1 Citizenship is not accepted to enrol in the OSS course.
Exam structure
The exam is made up of various sections to test language and communication skills.
The tests are divided for each level as follows:
| | B1 citizenship | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
| Total duration | 2h and 5 min. | 3h and 45 min. | 3h and 45 min. | 4h and 50 min. | 5h and 25 min. |
| Listening | 30 min. | 30 min. | 30 min. | 40 min. | 50 min. |
| Reading comprehension | 40 min. | 50 min. | 50 min. | 1h and 10 min. | 1h and 20 min. |
| Communicative structures | - | 1h | 1h | 1h and 15 min. | 1h and 30 min. |
| Break | 15 min. | 15 min. | 15 min. | 15 min. | 15 min. |
| Written production | 40 min. | 1h and 10 min. | 1h and 10 min. | 1h and 30 min. | 1h and 30 min. |
In addition to the written tests in the table above, there is an oral production test, which each candidate takes individually with the committee of his or her level.
Fees
| Level | Fee | Fee per section in case of repeat attempts |
| CILS UNO level-B1 | € 90 | € 20 |
| CILS levels B1 CITTADINANZA | € 100 | --- |
| CILS DUE level-B2 | € 105 | € 23 |
| CILS TRE level-C1 | € 135 | € 30 |
| CILS QUATTRO level-C2 | € 160 | € 35 |
Registration
Next exam session: 11/06/2025. Registration from 3 March to 9 April
| Step | Date |
| Registration for the CILS exam on 11/06/2025 | 3 March - 9 April 2025 |
| You will receive an email from the Students' Office with instructions for payment | 11 April 2025 |
| Make the payment following the instructions you will receive by email, then send the payment receipt and a copy of your Identity Card to didattica.cla@unipd.it | 11 - 21 April 2025 |
Exam date
(for all levels) | 11 June 2025 |
Candidates with special needs (temporary or permanent disabilities) should provide the Teaching Office with a medical certification at the time of signing up.
Please be very careful when entering your details in the registration form because they will appear in your certificate.
If after the issuance of the certificate there are errors, in fact, there are extra costs to be paid to ask for the personal data correction:
– €20,00 for the personal data correction of the certificate to be sent to Italy
– €30,00 for the personal data correction of the certificate to be sent abroad
On the day of the exam
| Where | University Language Centre: Via Venezia, 16 - Padova |
| When | On the day of the exam at 8:30 am.
Depending on the number of candidates, the tests may also end in the late afternoon or early evening. |
| What to bring | - A valid ID Card (the one used to register)
- A black pen
- Money to pay for the certificate to be posted to you (if you requested this) |
Preparation path
Reserved for Unipd students and employees
Target
The preparation material and meetings – for the 8 June 2023 exam – are reserved for Unipd students and employees who have completed their registration for the certification exam.
Levels
The preparation path is aimed at candidates who wish to take one of the following levels of certification:
- B1 Citizenship
- B1 Standard
- B2
- C1
- C2
Contents and structure
The CILS preparation path covers the exam structure and requirements and provides tools and strategies for exam preparation.
The preparation path consists of:
- a structured exam preparation path to be taken on an autonomous basis using the material and resources available on the Moodle platform. It will mainly be possible to practice through exam examples, but there is no individual feedback for productive skills (writing and oral production);
- a meeting at the CLA – unique for participants of all levels included in the preparation – during which the syllabus and the structure of the tests will be presented and instructions will be given on how to use the material and resources in Moodle to prepare for the exam;
- an exam simulation during which indications and suggestions will be given on how best to tackle the various tests. The candidates will be divided into different classrooms according to their level. The dates will be defined after the registration closes.
It is not, therefore, an Italian language course.
Fees
The preparation is free of charge and reserved for students and Unipd employees who have completed their registration for the certification exam.
Registration
After they have completed their registration for the CILS exam, eligible candidates will receive an email from the CLA Student Office with all the instructions for preparing for the exam.
Contact details
If you have any further doubts or need any assistance, please remember that the University Language Centre’s Teaching Office (via Venezia, 16 – 5th floor) is open from Monday to Friday from 9.30 until 1 p.m.
