1. What is it? What is it for?
The CILS (Certification of Italian As a Foreign Language) is an official document issued by the CILS Center of the University for Foreigners of Siena, certifying the degree of linguistic-communication skills in Italian as L2. It is recognized by the Italian Government, accepted internationally and does not have a deadline. Starting from level B1, it is one of the recognized exams for the acquisition of Italian citizenship by marriage.
2. How to prepare
On the site cils.unistrasi.it it is possible to view the complete structure of all CILS exam levels and to practice autonomously, carrying out online exam tests administered in previous years. Two useful vademecums are also available on the same web site: "Information for candidates" at the following link https://cils.unistrasi.it/98/325/Informazioni_per_i_candidati.htm and "CILS Guidelines" at the following link https://cils.unistrasi.it/6/12/Le_Linee_Guida_CILS.htm
3. When is it considered passed?
The CILS exam is considered passed if the candidate reaches, both in the written and in the oral test, the minimum score established by the CILS Center of the University for Foreigners of Siena (cils.unistrasi.it).Candidates who have not passed the written test (composed of reading comprehension, written production, linguistic competence) and who have instead passed the oral exam or vice versa (written test passed and oral exam not passed), can capitalize the partial result obtained for 18 months, retaking the failed part of the test again and paying only the relative tax.
4. Dissemination of results
The results are disclosed by the University for Foreigners of Siena within 90 days of the exam.
Candidates can access it from the University website (cils.unistrasi.it), by consulting the reserved area.
The certificates will be issued by the University and sent to the Italian Cultural Institute of Addis Ababa, which will forward them to the candidates.
5. Exam dates 2023
| Level | Date |
|
A2 Integrazione |
20/07/2023 (deadline for registration 18 June 2023) |
|
A2 standard B1 Cittadinanza |
19/10/2023 (deadline for registration 17 September 2023) |
|
A1 Standard A1 Bambini A1 Adolescenti A1 integrazione A2 Standard A2 Bambini A2 Adolescenti A2 Integrazione B1 Standard B1 Adolescenti B1 Cittadinanza B2 C1 C2 |
05/12/2023 (deadline for registration 21 October 2023) |
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
6. Exam location
The CILS exam is administered by the Italian Cultural Institute exclusively at its headquarters (Belay Zelleke Street - Arada Sub-city, near Semien Hotel).
7. Registration procedure
In order to register for the exam, the candidate can go to the Italian Cultural Institute for the payment of the registration, and by presenting a valid identity document;
Alternatively, the candidate can send the following documents to the e-mail address iicaddisabeba@esteri.it:
· Copy of an identity document;
· Completed and signed entry form (can be downloaded HERE);
· Receipt of payment of the registration fee by bank transfer.
The documents, which must be submitted in PDF or JPG format, cannot exceed a total of 2MB.
8. Registration fees
|
Level |
Full Exam |
Partial Retake of the Exam |
| A1 and A2 | €30 | No capitalisation |
| UNO-B1 | €45 | €12 |
| B1 Adolescenti | €40 | €12 |
| B1 Cittadinanza |
€150 *150 € University for Foreigners of Siena *50 € ICI necessities
|
No capitalisation |
| DUE-B2 | €65 | €20 |
| TRE-C1 | €75 | €22 |
| QUATTRO-C2 | €85 | €25 |
Registration fees are fixed in euros by the CILS center. At the opening of registrations for the single session, the Birr fee will be established based on the current exchange rate and indicated on this page.
Payment can be made at the Italian Cultural Institute at the time of registration, or by bank transfer, specifying the candidate's full name, which must be credited to the following current account:
ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA
C/A 1000009710381
COMMERCIAL BANK OF ETHIOPIA
TEWODROS SQUARE BRANCH
ADDIS ABABA (ETHIOPIA)
