CILS and CELI: Italian Exam Levels, Scores and Dates

Two of Italy's universities for foreigners each run an exam for learners of Italian. CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) comes from the Università per Stranieri di Siena, and CELI (Certificati di Lingua Italiana) comes from the Università per Stranieri di Perugia. Both give a certificate at one CEFR level, from A1 to C2, and neither university puts an expiry date on its certificates. You take either exam at a partner center in Italy or abroad, often an Italian Cultural Institute for CILS.

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What Are the CILS and CELI Levels?

Each university gives its exams its own names, so each level below has two.

1. A1

   CILS A1 · CELI Impatto

   • CELI written: 1 hour 15 minutes
   • CELI pass: 16 of 32
2. A2

   CILS A2 · CELI 1

   • CELI written: 2 hours 20 minutes
   • CELI pass: 79 of 130
3. B1

   CILS UNO · CELI 2

   • CELI written: 2 hours 20 minutes
   • CELI pass: 94 of 160
4. B2

   CILS DUE · CELI 3

   • CELI written: 3 hours 25 minutes
   • CELI pass: 117 of 200
5. C1

   CILS TRE · CELI 4

   • CELI written: 4 hours 25 minutes
   • CELI pass: 117 of 200
6. C2

   CILS QUATTRO · CELI 5

   • CELI written: 4 hours 30 minutes
   • CELI pass: 117 of 200

CELI's written time covers reading and writing, listening from A2 up, and a grammar test from B2 up. The CELI speaking test takes 5 to 20 minutes, getting longer at each level.

How Are CILS and CELI Scored?

CILS tests five skills: listening, reading, language structures, writing and speaking. The total is 60 points at A1 and A2 and 100 points from B1 up, and you need a passing score in every skill. If you pass some skills and not others, you can keep the ones you passed for 18 months and retake only the rest.

CELI gives you a written score and a speaking score, and you need a minimum in each. CELI Impatto and CELI 1 are pass or not pass. From CELI 2 up, you get a grade from A to E, and A, B and C are passes. A part you pass stays valid for one year, which is two exam sessions.

When Are CILS and CELI?

Both universities hold a few sessions a year, and the full range of levels runs only on some dates. You register through an exam center, and the center may close sign-up earlier than the university's deadline.

CELI also runs A1 to B2 on March 9, 2027, with sign-up by February 9. Sign-up for the November 11, 2026 CELI closed on October 9.

Ask your center for the fee. CILS A1 runs only when a center asks for it.

How to Prepare with Comprehensible Input

In CILS, you must pass every skill, and that includes listening at every level. Italian you can follow without stopping at every word, called comprehensible input, builds that skill.

• 🎯Choose CILS or CELIAsk the school, employer or office you're applying to which exams they accept. Then find a center near you that runs your level.
• 🎧Read, Then Listen AgainPick short Italian texts about shopping or work that come with audio. Read along once, then listen on your own.
• 📝Try a Sample ExamSiena posts sample CILS papers, and Perugia posts sample papers for each CELI level. Work through the one for your level a few weeks early.

This lesson is about ordering at Italian cafés and markets. Switch between its four levels and compare how long the sentences get.

Cafés and Markets at Four Levels

From Bubblegum’s guide Ordering Food and Drinks at Italian Cafes and Markets. It works here the way it works inside Bubblegum.

Choose your level

Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4

I can handle simple exchanges.

🍜

At the coffee shop in the morning

Lv 2

Marco entra nel bar e saluta la barista.

Marco enters the bar and greets the barista.

Marco

Ciao Giulia, sono arrivato presto stamattina!

Hi Giulia, I arrived early this morning!

Giulia

Ciao Marco! Hai ordinato il solito caffè?

Hi Marco! Did you order the usual coffee?

Marco

Sì, ho preso un cornetto fresco.

Yes, I had a fresh croissant.

Giulia

Perfetto, ho fatto tutto subito!

Perfect, I got everything ready right away!

More Level 2 lessons on this topic

Frequently Asked Questions About CILS and CELI