The CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) is an official certification that evaluates proficiency in Italian as a foreign language. It is offered by the University for Foreigners of Siena and is officially recognised by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). The CILS certification is internationally recognised and fully aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), covering levels from A1 to C2.
At APICS – Italian Cultural Center:
- the exam is hosted at our venue
- the speaking test is conducted with one of our qualified teachers, officially appointed as examiners
Structure of the CILS Exam
The CILS exam assesses real communicative competence through five skills:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
- Language Use (grammar and structures)
Each skill is evaluated independently, ensuring a fair and transparent assessment of language proficiency.
Capitalisation Rule (Valid for All Levels*)
For all CILS levels, each skill is capitalised separately.
Candidates are not required to pass all skills in a single exam session.
How it works:
- Passed skills remain valid over time (18 months)
- Candidates may retake only the skills not passed in subsequent exam sessions
- The certification is awarded once all required skills have been successfully completed
This system offers flexibility, reduces pressure, and allows candidates to focus on specific areas for improvement.
*⚠️ Exception: the capitalisation rule does not apply to the CILS B1 Citizenship exam, which must be passed in one single session.
Results & Certificate Delivery
- Results: published online approximately 40 days after the exam date
- Original certificate: issued in Italy and delivered within about 2 months
All certificates are issued directly by the University for Foreigners of Siena.
