CEnT-S Exam Complete Guide

If you’re planning to study engineering, economics, or any other science-based program in English at an Italian university, there’s a new exam you need to know about. The CEnT-S. Starting from November 2025, this test officially replaced the old English TOLC system. If you’ve been reading older guides that still mention TOLC-I or TOLC-E, stop! Those exams no longer exist for future applicants. One exception worth knowing upfront and, Politecnico di Torino uses its own exam called TIL-I, not CEnT-S. We’ll cover that later.

This guide covers everything: what the CEnT-S is, how it works, when to take it, and what it actually tests. Let’s go through it properly.

You can take a look on our article about study in Italy

What Is the CEnT-S Exam?

CEnT-S stands for CISIA English Test – Sciences. It’s the new standardized admission exam for English-taught bachelor’s degree programs in Italy, organized by CISIA (Consorzio Interuniversitario Sistemi Integrati per l’Accesso)  the body that manages university entrance testing across Italian institutions.

The core idea behind it is straightforward: instead of having separate exams for different fields (engineering, economics, pharmacy), every applicant sits the same unified test. Your CEnT-S score is valid until at least 31 October 2026 for the 2026/2027 academic year, regardless of which period you took it in. Individual universities may set earlier internal deadlines, so always check the specific admission call.

Which Programs Require It?

The CEnT-S is required for English-taught bachelor’s programs in fields such as:

• Engineering (all branches; civil, mechanical, computer, aerospace, etc.)
• Economics and management
• Pharmacy and pharmaceutical chemistry
• Biotechnology and biology
• Other science-based programs taught in English

It does not replace the IMAT, which remains the separate entrance exam for Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine. It also does not apply to Politecnico di Torino’s TIL-I exam, which that university uses for its own engineering programs. Always verify with your specific university and program before registering.

What Replaced What?

Before CEnT-S, students had to figure out which TOLC variant applied to their program:

• TOLC-I → Engineering
• TOLC-E → Economics
• TOLC-F → Pharmacy and science

That distinction is gone. As of November 2025, all three are replaced by a single CEnT-S. If you find any resource still listing TOLC-I or TOLC-E as a requirement for future applications, that information is outdated.

CEnT-S Exam Structure

The exam consists of 55 multiple-choice questions completed in 110 minutes. It’s divided into five sections, each with a fixed time limit. You cannot go back to a previous section, and you cannot carry unused time forward to the next one. If you finish a section early, you move on but lose that remaining time.

One thing worth knowing: not all universities use every section equally. An economics or business program might only evaluate your Mathematics and Reasoning scores. An engineering program will typically weigh all five sections. Before the exam, check exactly which sections your target program considers. This directly affects how you should allocate your preparation time.

Scoring

• Correct answer: +1 point
• Unanswered question: 0 points
• Incorrect answer: −0.25 points

You’ll see your raw section-by-section results immediately after finishing. However, your official normalized score is only available at the end of the macro-period in which you took the test. More on normalization below.

What Does the Exam Actually Test?

The CEnT-S is not a memorization exam. CISIA’s emphasis is on whether you can think in an academic context read analytically, apply logic, and work through problems. Here’s a quick breakdown of each section:

Mathematics covers algebra, functions, geometry (including coordinate geometry), probability, and statistics. Questions are applied rather than purely formulaic expect real-problem scenarios.

Reasoning on Texts and Data tests your ability to read academic texts, interpret graphs and tables, draw conclusions from data, and follow logical arguments. This is the section many students underestimate. It rewards reading speed and analytical precision.

Biology focuses on cell biology, biomolecules, genetics, human physiology (digestive, respiratory, circulatory, nervous systems), ecology, and plant biology.

Chemistry covers atomic structure, chemical bonding, the periodic table, reactions and stoichiometry, acids and bases, thermodynamics basics, and organic chemistry fundamentals.

Physics addresses mechanics (forces, motion, energy), thermodynamics, and waves. Only 5 questions, but underestimating this section can cost you points.

How To take the Test

You can take the test on Cisia’s website. If you need professional assistance on that case As we Pava Education can help you every step of your journey.

CEnT-S Exam Dates and Schedule

The CEnT-S is offered four times per year, across four macro-periods. You can sit the exam once per macro-period. For the 2025–2026 academic year, the official dates are:

Important for Non-EU students: If you need a student visa to study in Italy, you must take the exam in Period 1 or Period 2. Universities generally close their international applications before Period 3 results are released (June 30). Taking the exam in Period 3 or 4 can mean missing your application window entirely and losing a year.

Your CEnT-S score is valid for the entire 2026/2027 academic year, regardless of which period you took it in.

What Is Score Normalization?

You’ll notice that results aren’t instant. They’re released at the end of the macro-period, not immediately after the exam. This is because CISIA applies a normalization process.

Here’s why that matters: different test sessions may have slightly different difficulty levels. If the questions on November 27 were harder than those on January 15, raw scores wouldn’t be fairly comparable. Normalization corrects for this by converting your raw score into an adjusted official score, accounting for the difficulty of the version you took.

In practice, this means a lower raw score on a harder test can result in the same official score as a higher raw score on an easier one. It levels the playing field which is both fairer and slightly less predictable.

How to Take the Test @UNI vs @HOME

 The CEnT-S is available in two formats:

@UNI: You take the exam in person at a university computer lab. The hardware and internet connection are provided. This format is generally more stable and straightforward.

@HOME: You take the exam online from your own device. This option is available from anywhere in the world. And no travel required. However, the technical and environmental requirements are strict: stable internet connection, webcam, no headphones, no notes on your desk, and a phone or tablet placed behind you at a 45° angle for proctoring purposes. If any of these conditions are not met during the exam, your session can be suspended or invalidated.

For most international students applying from outside Italy, @HOME is the practical choice. Just make sure you prepare your setup properly. It’s not a casual experience.

Which Universities Accept CEnT-S?

Most Italian public universities that offer English-taught bachelor’s programs now accept or require the CEnT-S. The result is valid at all of them and you don’t register for a specific university when taking the exam. You take the exam, get your score, and then use it across your applications.

That said, universities decide independently how to use the score. Some set a minimum threshold. Others use it as part of a ranking. A few still run parallel processes or additional evaluations. Always check the official admission call (bando) for your specific program not just the university’s homepage.

A Practical Note on CEnT-S Exam Timing

Here’s a realistic picture of the timeline for a non-EU student targeting the 2026/2027 academic year:

• October–November 2025: Start CEnT-S preparation
• November 2025 or January 2026: Take the exam (Period 1)
• 30 January 2026: Official score released
• February–April 2026: Submit applications to universities via UniversItaly
• May–July 2026: Visa application window opens
• September/October 2026: Start of academic year

If you take the exam in Period 2 instead, your results come on March 31, which still works, but leaves less buffer for visa processing. Periods 3 and 4 are generally too late for non-EU applicants needing a visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does one CEnT-S score work for multiple universities?

Yes. Your normalized score is valid at all universities that accept the CEnT-S for the 2026/2027 academic year. You don’t need to retake it for each school.

Can I retake the CEnT-S if I’m not satisfied with my score?

Yes. Once per macro-period. So you can potentially take it up to four times in one academic year. Universities generally consider the score you submit with your application, so be strategic about which result you use.

Does CEnT-S replace TIL-I for Politecnico di Torino?

No. TIL-I is a separate exam specific to Politecnico di Torino‘s engineering programs. It is not replaced by CEnT-S. If PoliTo is your target, you need to prepare for TIL-I specifically. The TIL-I consists of 42 questions across 4 sections these are; Mathematics, Reading & Logic, Physics, and Basic Technical Knowledge, completed in 90 minutes. You can take it up to 3 times, and PoliTo considers your best score. TIL-I The registration fee is €50.

Is there any language requirement alongside CEnT-S?

The CEnT-S itself is conducted entirely in English, but it doesn’t certify your English proficiency. Some universities may still request an IELTS or TOEFL certificate as part of the admission process. Check your target program’s requirements.

What if my exam is disrupted during @HOME?

If a technical problem occurs that isn’t your fault and can’t be resolved, CISIA may grant you a credit to retake the test. If you cause the disruption (leaving the virtual room, disabling your camera), the exam may be cancelled without compensation.

Can I use a calculator?

No you can’t use calculator during the exam.

Can SAT exam be an alternative to CEnT-S exam?

Yes It can be. Some universities are accepting SAT together with CEnT-S.

Getting Started

If studying engineering, economics, or a science program in Italy in English is your goal, the CEnT-S is your first concrete step. The exam is manageable with proper preparation  it’s not designed to trick you, but it does test whether you can think analytically under time pressure.

The most important thing right now: pick your period, register early, and don’t rely on old TOLC study materials. The CEnT-S has a published syllabus on CISIA’s official website  use it.

If you want to know which period to take the CEnT-S, which universities accept your score, and how to build your full application timeline. That’s exactly what we help students work through at Pava Education. Get in touch and we’ll go through it together, step by step.

You can contact to us buy clicking here.