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The official CILS exam dates 2026 have been released!
If you’re studying Italian, you may already be familiar with the CILS certification: Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera (literally meaning Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language). It is an important qualification for those applying to Italian universities, requesting certain visas, or pursuing professional opportunities in Italy.
Administered by the Università per Stranieri di Siena, it evaluates the Italian proficiency of non-native speakers across all levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), from A1 to C2.
If you plan to study Italian in Italy and take the exam, checking the dates in advance will help you organize your study timeline more effectively.
CILS exam dates 2026
The CILS exam will be held six times throughout the year. Below is the official schedule:
| Exam Date | Registration Deadline | Available Levels |
|---|---|---|
| February 19 | January 19 | A2 Integrazione, B1, B2, C1, C2 |
| April 14 | March 14 | A1–C2 |
| June 4 | May 4 | A1–C2 |
| July 23 | June 22 | A1–C2 |
| October 22 | September 21 | A2 Standard, A2 Integrazione, B1, B2, C1, C2 |
| December 3 | November 3 | A1–C2 |
How to prepare for the CILS exam
CILS exams evaluate four core skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking, along with grammar and vocabulary. Each level requires targeted preparation. Students can prepare in several ways:
• Enroll in a CILS preparation course:
Language schools across Italy offer specialized courses designed around the exam format. These courses typically include practice tests, speaking simulations, and writing exercises. We can help locate and apply to the most suited Italian language school for you, so make sure to contact us.
• Study with textbooks and past exams:
Official preparation books and past exam papers help students familiarize themselves with the test structure.
• Practice Italian regularly in real contexts:
Consistent exposure to Italian through daily conversation, listening exercises, reading, and writing significantly improves overall readiness.
• Understand the exam structure:
The CILS exam evaluates listening, reading, writing, speaking, and grammar. To earn the CILS certification, you must pass all four skills. If you don’t pass every skill, you receive an attestato di capitalizzazione (credit certificate) showing the skills you did pass, and you can retake only the failed sections within a set period (usually 12–18 months).
For more information about Italian language study programs, CILS preparation options, or schools that administer the CILS exam, feel free to contact us. We are here to help!
