The complete guide to the CILS & CELI Italian exams

Why an official Italian language certificate matters

If you are planning to study, work or live in Italy, sooner or later you will need an official Italian language certificate. Italian universities, immigration offices and public institutions generally accept only certificates issued by officially recognised bodies. Among these, two names come up more than any others: CELI and CILS. In this guide you will get to know the structure, levels and uses of both exams, so you can choose your path with confidence.

What is the CELI exam?

CELI (Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana) is the official certificate of Italian language proficiency issued by the University for Foreigners of Perugia (Università per Stranieri di Perugia), one of the oldest and most respected institutions for teaching Italian to non-native speakers. The certificate is recognised in Italy and in many other countries, and can be used for academic, professional and immigration purposes. CELI exam sessions are held several times a year at official centres both inside and outside Italy.

What is the CILS exam?

CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) is a similar certificate issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena (Università per Stranieri di Siena). It is equally official and serves the same purposes as CELI. Put simply, CELI and CILS are two parallel routes to the same goal: official proof of your level of Italian.

Exam levels based on the CEFR standard

Both exams are designed around the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and cover six levels:

• A1 and A2: beginner levels; the ability to communicate in simple, everyday situations.
• B1: intermediate level; the minimum level required to apply for Italian citizenship and for many residence-related procedures.
• B2: upper-intermediate level; the level most Italian universities require for admission to Italian-taught degree programmes.
• C1 and C2: advanced levels; suitable for specialised fields of study, professional contexts and high-level academic goals.

Sections of the exam

The exact details vary slightly from level to level, but broadly speaking both exams assess the four core language skills:

• Reading comprehension: working with authentic texts such as articles, notices and letters.
• Listening comprehension: listening to conversations and recordings and answering questions.
• Writing: producing texts appropriate to the level, from short messages to argumentative pieces.
• Speaking: a face-to-face conversation with an examiner.

At higher levels there is usually also a section assessing grammar and language structures.

Which certificate for which purpose?

• Studying in Italy: most universities require level B2 for Italian-taught programmes, and both CELI and CILS are accepted.
• Residence and immigration: some types of long-term residence generally require proof of a basic to intermediate level of Italian.
• Italian citizenship: under Italian law, citizenship applicants must prove at least level B1 of Italian with an official certificate.

In terms of official validity there is no difference between CELI and CILS; the choice between them mostly comes down to the exam centre you can reach, the available exam dates, and the question format you feel more comfortable with.

How to prepare for the exam

• Start with a placement test to identify your current level.
• Join a structured, goal-oriented course so that all four skills develop in a balanced way.
• Practise with past exam papers to become familiar with the format.
• Take a mock exam before the real one to practise time management.

Registering for the CELI exam in Karaj

GLOBAL TALK language institute is the official representative of the University of Perugia in Karaj for the CELI exam. This means you can complete your preparation courses and register for the exam itself without unnecessary travel. GLOBAL TALK's advisors will support you in choosing the right level, planning your study and handling registration, so you can walk into the exam with confidence.