B2 Italian Language Exam for University Admission

Which exams are valid for university admission?

In order to obtain admission to an Italian university it is necessary to obtain an official certification attesting to the passing of a B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR).

CELI and CILS, offered by the University for Foreigners of Perugia and of the University of Foreigners of Siena, are official qualifications recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Level B2 – intermediate – of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR) is equivalent to level CELI 3 and level CILS B2

Equivalence of CELI and CILS Certifications with the Common Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):

LEVEL	CELI	CILS	Test your Italian
A1 – basic	CELI IMPATTO	CILS A1	Italian Test A1
A2 – elementary	CELI 1	CILS A2	Italian Test A2
B1 – intermediate	CELI 2	CILS B1 / CILS B1	Italian Test B1
B2 – upper intermediate	CELI 3	CILS B2	Italian Test B2
C1 – advanced	CELI 4	CILS C1	Italian Test C1
C2 – mastery	CELI 5	CILS C2	Complete Italian Test

CELI 3 and CILS B2 exams: all the details

How much does the B2 exam cost?

• CELI 3: Here, at Europass, it costs 120€ for all those who have attended or will attend one of our courses before the exam, and 190€ for everyone else.
• CILS B2: 105€, both in Italy and abroad.

The structure of the exams

CELI 3

Structure: reading comprehension (20%), writing (20%), linguistic accuracy (10%), listening comprehension (20%), and speaking (30%)
Duration: 3 hours 40 minutes

Please note: If one of the two parts, either written or oral, is not passed, you can retake the unsuccessful part within one year after your exam, paying only 70% of the initial price.

CILS B2

Structure: listening comprehension (20%), reading comprehension (20%), analysis of communication structures (20%), writing (20%), and speaking (20%)
Duration: 3 hours 40 minutes

Please note: To obtain the CILS certification, the candidate must obtain a passing score on all parts. The candidate has the right to retake one or more parts of the exam within 18 months of the original exam session, paying only for the part(s) to be retaken.

When and where to take the exam

CELI

There are three sessions per year, taking place in March, June, and November. You can take the CELI exam at the center closest to you. Our school is one of the accredited centers in Florence.

Important: To take the CELI exam, strict deadlines and long waiting times are imposed. Marking the exams can take up to 3 months, while sending the certificate, up to 4 months.

CILS

CILS exams take place various times a year, simultaneously all over the world.

• In Italy, they take place at the University of Siena (about an hour’s drive from our school in Florence) and other affiliated locations.
• Abroad, exams take place at some affiliated centers and Italian Cultural Institutes. Discover the office closest to you.

Important: To take the CILS exam it is necessary to respect strict deadlines, for example, the application must be registered at least 45 days before the exam.

CELI / CILS exams online

Neither CELI nor CILS can be taken online.

How to prepare for the CELI / CILS exams

To pass the language exams for university admission, it is not necessary to follow a specific course, with imposed content or a determined method. What is important is to be well-prepared in both writing and speaking.

Since all parts must be completed successfully in order to pass the exam, training (or simply a review) may be necessary, focusing on certain aspects more than others.

Our courses (in Italy and online) are highly customizable according to your needs.

Do you just need a refresher, or are you still far from the level you would like to be and need an intensive course? Do you prefer to study in a group, or take private lessons?

During exam preparation, exam sessions will also be simulated, using old exam papers.

By taking practice exams, you will get used to the exam structure and the time provided to complete it. Furthermore, by practicing, you can easily check your expected score.

Online preparation for the B2 exam

Opt for flexible online Italian learning with our group or individual courses led by qualified Italian teachers.

Join other students from around the world with our group classes, choose personalization with individual lessons, or mix both options for a tailored experience.

Preparation for the B2 exam in Florence

Prepare for the B2 exam with a flexible group or private lessons. Study with native-speaker teachers and immerse yourself in the Italian culture.

Join our expert-led Italian language courses in Florence!