The CEnT-S Exam is one of the entrance examinations that students planning to apply to English-taught bachelor’s degree programs in Italy may need to take. For candidates interested in engineering, economics, pharmacy, and other science-related fields, understanding the exam structure, available testing formats, and application schedule is essential. This article covers the CEnT-S exam content, the 2027 examination periods, the scoring system, exam fees, and the registration process. It also highlights key considerations to help you plan your university education in Italy.
The CEnT-S is an English-language assessment administered by CISIA, the organization responsible for coordinating university entrance examinations in Italy. As of November 2025, it has replaced the English TOLC-I, English TOLC-E, and English TOLC-F exams. Some Italian universities use CEnT-S results as part of their admission process for English-taught bachelor’s degree programs.
The exam is not mandatory for every university or degree program. Applicants should consult the official announcements published by their chosen universities to confirm the accepted examination types, admission requirements, and application deadlines.
The CEnT-S exam consists of 65 multiple-choice questions divided into six sections, with a total duration of 140 minutes. The Reading Comprehension section includes 10 questions to be completed in 30 minutes, while the Mathematics section contains 15 questions with a 30-minute time limit. The Reasoning on Texts and Data section also consists of 15 questions to be answered within 30 minutes.
The Biology and Chemistry sections each contain 10 questions, with 20 minutes allocated to each section. The Physics section includes 5 questions and has a time limit of 10 minutes. Each section has its own time limit, and candidates cannot return to a previous section once they have moved on to the next.
For this reason, students should focus not only on subject knowledge but also on effective time management during their preparation. Answering questions within the allocated time is particularly important in the Mathematics and Reasoning sections.
According to CISIA’s 2026–2027 examination calendar, the CEnT-S exam is organized into five macro-periods. Students may take the exam only once during each macro-period. Official normalized scores are released after the relevant examination period has ended.
| Macro-Period | Exam Months | Results Release Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | November–December 2026, January 2027 | January 29, 2027 |
| 2 | February–March 2027 | March 31, 2027 |
| 3 | April–May 2027 | May 31, 2027 |
| 4 | June–July 2027 | July 30, 2027 |
| 5 | August–September 2027 | September 17, 2027 |
The dates in the table indicate examination periods and the deadlines for releasing results, rather than individual exam sessions. Students should also check the examination schedules and application deadlines of their chosen universities.
In the CEnT-S exam, candidates receive 1 point for each correct answer, while 0.25 points are deducted for each incorrect answer. Unanswered questions receive 0 points.
After completing the exam, students can view the number of correct, incorrect, and unanswered questions. The final official result is the normalized score calculated at the end of the relevant macro-period. This calculation takes into account differences in difficulty across examination sessions.
The CEnT-S exam is intended for candidates planning to apply to English-taught bachelor’s degree programs that accept CEnT-S results. Whether the exam is mandatory, which examination formats are accepted, and what additional assessment requirements apply depend on the university.
Students from countries outside the European Union are advised to coordinate their examination dates with university application deadlines, pre-enrolment procedures, and visa requirements. This helps ensure that the necessary documents are prepared and application deadlines are managed effectively.
The CEnT-S exam is offered in two formats: CEnT@HOME, which is administered remotely under online supervision, and CEnT@UNI, which takes place in university computer laboratories. The accepted format may vary depending on the university and degree program.
Politecnico di Torino has announced that, starting from the 2027/2028 academic year, it will accept only CEnT@UNI results obtained through in-person examinations. Applicants should follow the university’s official announcements for detailed information about examination and admission requirements.
The CEnT-S exam fee has been announced as €55. Payment can be made by credit card or through MAV, a payment method used within the Italian banking system.
To register for the exam, candidates must create a CISIA student account, select an available examination session, and complete the payment process. Before registering, students should verify the examination requirements of their chosen university.
Reviewing the official subject syllabus published by CISIA is an important part of preparing for the CEnT-S exam. Students can develop a structured study plan by identifying areas for improvement in Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, and the fundamental sciences.
Practicing sample questions under timed conditions can help candidates become familiar with the time limits assigned to each section. It is also advisable to organize the preparation schedule around university application deadlines.
When applying for the CEnT-S exam, it is essential to carefully evaluate the admission requirements, examination dates, and accepted testing formats of your chosen university. In particular, the differences between CEnT@HOME and CEnT@UNI should be taken into account when planning your application.
Good Plan helps students develop examination plans aligned with their academic goals and the admission requirements of their preferred universities. The company provides educational consultancy services covering CEnT-S examination dates, registration procedures, and application requirements.
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