The Complete CEnT-S Study Guide
Everything you need to know about the exam format, how it's scored, and how to use this portal to prepare for it.
What is CEnT-S?
CEnT-S (CISIA English Test – Sciences) is used for admission to English-taught university programs in Italy, in fields including Engineering, Economics, Pharmacy, and other scientific disciplines. Introduced by CISIA in November 2025, it replaced the older English TOLC-I, TOLC-E, and TOLC-F tests with a single unified exam. Although delivered in English, CEnT-S primarily tests academic knowledge and reasoning, not English proficiency — strong English alone won't carry a weak Math or Science foundation.
Test Format
Each of the 5 sections has its own fixed time limit — once a section ends, you move on and cannot return to it. Total testing time is 110 minutes.
| Component | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 30 min | 15 questions |
| Reasoning on Texts & Data | 30 min | 15 questions |
| Biology | 20 min | 10 questions |
| Chemistry | 20 min | 10 questions |
| Physics | 10 min | 5 questions |
Mathematics
30 minutes
15 questions covering numbers, algebra, functions, geometry, and probability & statistics at a high-school level.
Reasoning on Texts & Data
30 minutes
15 questions combining reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and data interpretation from tables, charts, and graphs.
Biology
20 minutes
10 questions covering cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, human biology, evolution, and ecology.
Chemistry
20 minutes
10 questions covering atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and acids & bases.
Physics
10 minutes
Just 5 questions, but don't neglect them — mechanics, energy, electricity, waves, and thermodynamics.
CEnT-S Delivery Formats
CEnT@UNI
Taken in person at a university classroom, where the university accepts this format.
CEnT@HOME
The identical test, taken remotely with online proctoring — check which format your target university accepts.
How CEnT-S Is Scored
Each correct answer earns +1, an unanswered question scores 0, and each incorrect answer costs −0.25 — so blind guessing isn't automatically the right move. Your raw score is then normalized, with the normalization coefficient accounting for the specific difficulty of your test session, so your official result may differ from your simple raw score.
+1
Correct answer
0
Unanswered
−0.25
Incorrect answer
Key Facts
- 5 sections, 55 questions total, in 110 minutes — Mathematics, Reasoning on Texts & Data, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- Delivered in English but primarily tests academic knowledge and reasoning, not English proficiency
- Each section has its own fixed timer — you cannot return to a previous section once it ends
- Scoring is +1 / 0 / −0.25, then normalized against the difficulty of your specific test session
- Replaced the older English TOLC-I, TOLC-E, and TOLC-F tests starting November 2025
- Available as CEnT@UNI (in-person) or CEnT@HOME (remote), depending on what your university accepts
Everything About the CEnT-S Exam
The administrative details most candidates want to know before booking a test.
Why take CEnT-S?
CEnT-S is required or accepted by a number of English-taught Italian university programs, particularly in Engineering, Economics, Pharmacy, and other scientific fields, as part of the admission process.
Who needs CEnT-S?
Applicants to English-taught Italian degree programs in scientific and technical fields — but the specific university and program determines whether CEnT-S is required, so always check the official admission notice for your target course before assuming you need it.
Is CEnT-S an English test?
No — although it's delivered in English, CEnT-S primarily assesses Mathematics, Reasoning, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics knowledge. A student with excellent English but weak science fundamentals can still score poorly.
Test frequency and registration
CEnT-S sessions are scheduled by CISIA and by individual universities. Registration and the accepted delivery format (CEnT@UNI or CEnT@HOME) depend on your target university — always check their official admission notice before booking.
Does the format change year to year?
CISIA can update the structure and syllabus for future cycles, with changes typically announced by October 31 each year — don't assume an older CEnT-S or TOLC format still applies.
Study materials
This portal's Study Material section covers Mathematics, Reasoning on Texts & Data, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics fundamentals. See "How mocktests. Helps You Prepare" below.
How mocktests. Helps You Prepare
A Clear Prep Roadmap
This guide breaks CEnT-S down into the same stages we recommend — diagnostic, section-by-section foundations, timed section practice, and full mocks — so you always know what to study next.
Growing Practice Library
Sectional and full-length CEnT-S practice content is being added to this portal. Check the course page for what's live right now, with more section-specific drills arriving regularly.
Performance Tracking
Once you start completing practice sets on this portal, your Performance Overview will track each of the 5 sections separately, so you can see exactly which one is limiting your score.
Test Day Tips
- Every section has its own independent timer — once it ends, you move on automatically and cannot go back.
- Because wrong answers cost −0.25, only guess when you can eliminate at least one or two options.
- Physics only has 5 questions in 10 minutes, but every point counts just as much as the larger sections — don't skip preparing for it.
- Confirm whether your university accepts CEnT@UNI, CEnT@HOME, or both before you book.
- Bring the same ID document you registered with; mismatches can mean you're turned away.
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