Italian Language Test for Foreigners
Plain English
It's a family of standardised Italian language exams offered by universities and accredited institutes: CILS (Siena), CELI (Perugia), PLIDA (Dante Alighieri), and CERT.IT (Roma Tre). They certify your level from A1 to C2.
Why it matters
These certificates are accepted for university admissions, long-term permits, and citizenship requirements, depending on the level. Each exam has its own structure but they all map to the CEFR scale.
Real example
"Before starting her master's in Cesena, Mai-Lan booked a CILS B2 exam at the Università per Stranieri di Siena's nearest test centre. The certificate satisfied her university's Italian requirement."
Common confusion
Not every certificate is accepted everywhere. Check the precise list your institution or office accepts before paying for an exam.
Official source
Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca