CEnT-S exam guide : All & Everything !!
08 Dec 2025
Beginning November 2025, Italy has formally introduced the newly designed CEnT-S Exam, primarily for UG level admission criteria in Italian Public Universities. This is an integrated English-language admission test that is designed and developed by a Consortium of Inter university Integrated Systems (CISIA). This new CISIA test in Italy is brought in as a single, standardized entry appraisal, and is designed to substitute the older English TOLC tests (TOLC-E, TOLC-I, and TOLC-F). The central idea for the CEnT-S Exam for Italy is to make the admission process transparent , and ensure that equal scope in admission process are available for all foreign students who are applying for courses in engineering, economics, pharmacy, and other STEM related scientific disciplines.
Thus, if you are planning to pursue an undergraduate program or any other English-taught programs, it is important for you to understand the CEnT-S exam format, structure, and other relevant details.
Below are some more details about this exam.
What is the CEnT-S Exam?
The CEnT-S exam is the newly introduced standardized entrance exam designed by CISIA for the students applying in Italy for English-taught programs. This exam evaluates the foundational knowledge of students in core subjects, like mathematics, logic, physics, chemistry, and biology. This exam ensures that the appearing students are academically prepared for the subject of study they have chosen.
CEnT-S test is designed to substitute multiple versions of the English TOLC exams, making it a single, unified and integrated test that is valid across several Italian universities, both public and private.
From November 2025, the CEnT-S exam for Italy will be obligatory for most English-taught bachelor’s programs. Students interested in studying in Italy for their bachelors programs will be required to take this test as part of the university admission process. The test will ensure neutrality and transparency in evaluating all applicants, regardless of their academic background or nationality.
Here are some of the subjects whose aspirants are required to take this test:
• Engineering
• Economics
• Business Management
• Pharmacy
• Natural and Applied Sciences
CEnT-S Exam Structure
To successfully qualify the CEnT-S exam for Italy, it is important to understand its format. The test structure consists of 55 questions across five sections. Each section assesses students analytical and problem-solving ability in different subjects.
Section Number of Questions Relevance
Mathematics 15 Required for Engineering, Economics, and Sciences
Logic 15 Evaluates reasoning and analytical thinking of the students
Physics 5 Required for Engineering programs
Chemistry 10 Important for Pharmacy Science students
Biology 10 Required for Pharmacy and Life Science students
Other Important aspects of the CEnT-S exam are:
Total duration: 110 minutes
Exam Fee: 55 EURO
Exam Mode: Two Options
@UNI: Taken in university computer labs
@Home: Taken remotely under supervision of a proctor
Exam Dates & Attempts for CEnT-S Exam
It is important to note that students can take the CEnT-S exam 2025 in four macro-periods throughout their academic year. They can attempt the exam once per macro-period, giving them several opportunities to improve their score. Here is the breakdown of macro-periods, and their timelines:
Marco-Period Months Result Release Date
1st Macro-Period November, December, and January January 20, 2026
2nd Macro-Period February and March March 31, 2026
3rd Macro-Period April, May, and June June 30, 2026
4th Macro-Period September and October October 30, 2026
Note: The CEnT-S exam result will be valid across all Italian universities that require it for admission. This offers flexibility and convenience to the students.
How Scoring & Normalization Work for the CEnT-S Exam?
Upon test completion, students immediately get a comprehensive summary of correct, incorrect, and unanswered questions. However, the official score report will be available only at the end of the macro-period of test delivery.
Normalized score
The students score gets normalized at the end of all macro-periods. This final normalized score neutrality varies across test versions. Thus, this final normalized score is the official admission score used by Italian universities. Normalization adjusts scores to account for differences in test difficulty level, ensuring that all the students are evaluated on equal terms.
How FrameLearning Can Help Students Apply for CEnT-S Exam?
FrameLearning is one of the best study abroad consultancies in India, and has been helping students reach their dream colleges in Italy. They guide and support students at every step of their study abroad journey, ranging from university selection to visa processing, and more.
Not to mention, FrameLearning also helps students with CEnT-S exam registration. Here is the list of services that FrameLearning provides to the students aspiring to study in Italy:
* FrameLearning provide personalized help for CEnT-S test preparation.
* FrameLearning help students shortlist the university/course based on their score and profile.
* FrameLearning provide assistance with the complete application process, starting from form filling, documentation, to deadlines and more.
* FrameLearning help students with visa assistance, starting with visa application form, interview slot booking, documentation and even interview preparation.
* FrameLearning provide guidance in financial assistance by helping students select and apply to different scholarships in Italy and financial grants.
* FrameLearning provide pre-departure and post-departure services to its students.
Who Needs to Take the CEnT-S?
The CEnT-S exam for Italy is designed to evaluate the academic readiness of the students. Here is the list of students who are required to appear for the test:
• All students applying to English-taught Italian undergraduate programs, in the following fields – Engineering, Economics, Business, Pharmacy, and Science.
• The test is compulsory for both international and domestic students
• Applicants seeking admission to universities participating in the CISIA testing system.
Registering for the CEnT-S Exam
If you are planning to appear for the CEnT-S exam, here is the process for the CEnT-S exam registration :
• Visit the CISIA official website www.cisiaonline.it
• Create a personal students account in the “Student Area”.
• Select CEnT-S under available tests.
• Choose your preferred mode of the exam: @UNI or @Home.
• Select the date within the macro-period that suits you.
• Pay the registration fee, which is €55.
• Download your confirmation receipt, and get ready for the test.
• Your results will be uploaded to your CISIA student area once the macro-period finishes.
Conclusion
There is no denying that CEnT-S exam is a very important step towards simplified and standardized university admissions for English-taught programs, and going forward it is going to play a pivotal role in a student’s study abroad journey.
CEnT-S Exam for Italy is more systematised , offers a just normalization systems, and gives multiple test sessions to students through the year. This offers flexibility and transparency for foreign students. A good CEnT-S test score can open doors to top-ranked Italian universities and set a foundation for academic success.
And, if you are looking for expert guidance, FrameLearning is here to make your dream of studying in Italy come true, with their varied services, which include CEnT-S exam registration, university applications, Italy Student visa assistance, and more. Contact them for more information.
Ready to apply for the CEnT-S Exam? Call us to help you!
