CEnT-S Exam
Complete Guide & AI Practice

A full section-by-section breakdown of the CISIA English Test – Sciences: 5 timed sections, official topic syllabus, scoring rules, macro-periods, accepting universities & registration.

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Source: CISIA Official Guidelines · cisiaonline.it

Framework Active 2026/27
Total Duration
110 Min
Questions
55 Items
Scoring Metric +1.0 / 0.0 / -0.25
Total Duration
110 Minutes
5 Sequential Timed Sections
Total Questions
55 Questions
Multiple choice, 5 options each
Scoring System
+1 / 0 / −0.25
Correct / Blank / Incorrect
Navigation Index
01 What is CEnT-S? 02 Why it replaced TOLC 03 Structure & Timing 04 Scoring & Normalisation 05 Full Official Syllabus 06 @UNI vs @HOME Formats 07 Calendar & Macro-Periods 08 5-Step Registration 09 Accepting Universities

What Is the CEnT-S?

Short answer: The CEnT-S (CISIA English Test – Sciences) is a standardized computer-based, English-language admission exam created by CISIA for international and Italian candidates applying to English-taught bachelor's programmes in Engineering, Economics, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Computer Science and other scientific fields in Italy. Mandatory since November 2025.

Unlike a language-certification exam (like IELTS or TOEFL), the CEnT-S does not measure how well you speak English — it is delivered in English because it serves programmes taught in English. What it actually measures is whether an incoming student has the foundational academic knowledge in mathematics, logical reasoning, biology, chemistry, and physics required to succeed in a scientific or economics curriculum.

A single CEnT-S result can be used to apply to multiple universities and programmes across Italy within the same academic year, unifying what used to be separate entrance tests into one streamlined process.

Why CEnT-S Replaced the English TOLC

Starting in November 2025, CISIA merged the three separate English-language TOLC tests into the single CEnT-S framework to simplify preparation and unify scoring:

Previous Legacy Exam Field Served Current Status
English TOLC-I Engineering & Tech Merged into CEnT-S
English TOLC-E Economics & Finance Merged into CEnT-S
English TOLC-F Pharmacy & Health Merged into CEnT-S
NOTE Italian-language TOLC tests (TOLC-I, TOLC-E, TOLC-F in Italian) remain unaffected — CEnT-S only replaces the English versions.

Exam Structure & Section Timing

Sections run sequentially and independently: each section has a strict, fixed timer. Unused time in a section cannot be carried forward, and you cannot return to a previous section once its time has expired.

Sequential Timeline Bar
MATH 30m
REASONING 30m
BIO 20m
CHEM 20m
PHY 10m
Sec Subject Questions Time Limit Pacing
1 Mathematics 15 Questions 30 Minutes ~2 min / Q
2 Reasoning on Texts & Data 15 Questions 30 Minutes ~2 min / Q
3 Biology 10 Questions 20 Minutes ~2 min / Q
4 Chemistry 10 Questions 20 Minutes ~2 min / Q
5 Physics 5 Questions 10 Minutes ~2 min / Q
— Total 55 Questions 110 Minutes ~2 min avg

Scoring & Normalisation Rules

CORRECT ANSWER
+1.00 Point

Earned for each correct selection

UNANSWERED / BLANK
0.00 Points

No penalty at all for leaving blank

INCORRECT ANSWER
−0.25 Points

Deducted for wrong choices

How Normalisation Works

Because candidates sit different sittings draw from varying test pools, raw scores are statistically combined with a normalisation coefficient at the end of each macro-period. This ensures candidates who took a tougher test variant are not unfairly disadvantaged in rankings.

Full Official Syllabus by Section

Select a section below to view the official CISIA topic breakdown:

M

Mathematics 15 Qs · High Weight

Numbers, Algebra, Geometry, Functions, Logarithms, Probability & Statistics
▼
1. Numbers & Operations: Integers, rationals, reals, factorisation, powers, roots, percentage changes, numeric expressions.
2. Algebra & Equations: Literal expressions, factorisation of polynomials, first & second degree equations/inequalities, linear systems.
3. Geometry & Cartesian Coordinates: Plane & space figures, perimeters, areas, volumes, coordinate geometry, distance, line & circle equations.
4. Functions, Exponentials & Logarithms: Function compositions, inverse functions, power/exponential/logarithmic graphs and equations.
5. Probability & Statistics: Combinations, permutations, probability of independent events, histograms, mean, median, mode.
R

Reasoning on Texts & Data 15 Qs · High Weight

Formal logic, data interpretation, problem-solving, mathematical language
▼
1. Formal Logic & Deductive Reasoning: Connectives (AND, OR, IF...THEN), quantifiers (all, none, at least), truth tables, set relations, necessary vs sufficient conditions.
2. Data Interpretation: Extracting info from graphs, histograms, tables, reading complex scientific texts, identifying valid conclusions.
3. Problem Solving: Translating text into algebraic equations, calculating ratios/percentages, evaluating problem constraints.
B

Biology 10 Qs

Molecules, cells, genetics, plant biology, anatomy & physiology
▼
1. Bio Molecules & Cell Biology: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, prokaryote vs eukaryote organelle structures.
2. Cell Cycle & Inheritance: Mitosis, meiosis, DNA replication, transcription, translation, Mendelian genetic principles.
3. Ecology & Human Anatomy: Photosynthesis, food webs, ecosystem interactions, nervous/musculoskeletal/circulatory human body systems.
C

Chemistry 10 Qs

Matter, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, acids/bases, organic chemistry
▼
1. Atomic Structure & Periodic Trends: Lewis structures, quantum numbers, electronegativity, ionization energy, electron configurations.
2. Stoichiometry & Reactions: The mole concept, balancing equations, limiting reactants, solution concentrations (molarity).
3. Acids, Bases & Organic Chem: pH scale calculations, buffers, redox reactions, IUPAC nomenclature of alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids.
P

Physics 5 Qs

Kinematics, dynamics, energy, thermodynamics, electromagnetism
▼
1. Kinematics & Dynamics: Linear motion, free fall, circular motion, Newton's laws, work, kinetic & potential energy.
2. Fluids & Electromagnetism: Archimedes' & Pascal's principles, ideal gas law, Coulomb's law, Ohm's law, wave properties.

Test Formats: CEnT@UNI vs CEnT@HOME

IN-PERSON TESTING

CEnT@UNI

Taken on university campus computers under staff supervision.

  • Open to both EU and non-EU (visa) candidates.
  • Valid nationwide for any course accepting CEnT-S, regardless of where hosted.
  • No need for personal computer setup or home internet reliability.
REMOTE PROCTORING

CEnT@HOME

Taken on your own laptop via webcam proctoring software.

  • Requires installing CISIA's Horizon App 1 day before test.
  • Requires uploading photo ID to CISIA Student Area in advance.
  • Must remain in camera view in a quiet, well-lit private room.

Test Calendar & Macro-Periods

You may sit CEnT-S once per macro-period (up to 4 times per year) and use your best normalized result:

Macro-Period Testing Window Score Release Date Best Strategy For
1st Macro-Period November – January 30 January Non-EU visa candidates (Early deadlines)
2nd Macro-Period February – March 31 March Most EU / non-EU application rounds
3rd Macro-Period April – June 30 June EU applicants (May be late for non-EU visas)
4th Macro-Period September – October 30 October Late clearing / secondary admissions

How to Register — 5 Simple Steps

1

Check Your Programme's Admission Notice

Verify deadlines and accepted test formats (@UNI or @HOME) on your target university website.

2

Create a CISIA Student Area Account

Register at cisiaonline.it. Flag any SLD/disability accommodations if applicable.

3

Select CEnT-S & Booking Location

Choose a convenient date and host university sitting from the official CISIA calendar.

4

Pay Registration Fee & Upload Photo ID

Complete payment before the booking deadline (usually 2:00 PM CET on closing day).

5

Download Payment Receipt & Entry Time

Check your personal Payment and Enrolment Receipt in CISIA Student Area for your exact test start time.

Universities Accepting CEnT-S

Italian public & private institutions accepting CEnT-S for English-taught bachelor's degrees:

Politecnico di Milano
Sapienza U. di Roma
U. degli Studi di Milano
Milano-Bicocca
U. di Pisa
U. degli Studi di Padova
U. Ca' Foscari Venezia
U. di Bologna
U. di Torino
U. di Firenze
U. di Napoli Federico II
U. degli Studi di Pavia

What's Included in Your Preparation

A complete breakdown of practice tests, intelligent tools, and study materials provided in PractiCo packages.

PRACTICE & EXAMS
8 Full Simulation Exams
Timed 110-minute mock tests mimicking real CISIA interface.
152 Subject Tests
Topic-by-topic quizzes covering Math, Reasoning, Biology, Chemistry & Physics.
1900+ Total Questions
Extensive question bank updated for 2026/27 exam structure.
INTELLIGENCE & SUPPORT
PractiCo AI Tutor
Step-by-step AI explanations for every question and solution.
Deep Past Result Analysis
Detailed breakdown of speed, accuracy, and weak topic identification.
Full Question Solutions
Verified worked solutions for 100% of CEnT-S question bank.
MATERIALS & RESOURCES
Cheat Sheets & Formula Sheets
Downloadable PDF summaries for Math, Physics, and Chemistry formulas.
Interactive Flashcards
Spaced repetition cards for biology terms and chemistry reactions.

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