CILS A1 exam-day guide
CILS A1 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid identification document
Bring the original identity document (typically passport or national ID) you used at registration. The name and spelling must match your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which documents they accept and whether a photocopy is ever allowed - do not assume.
Exam admission confirmation / registration receipt
Print or save the confirmation email or receipt from the exam centre. Some centres check it at the door. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy on your phone is accepted.
Know your exact exam centre address and room
Check the address, building entrance, floor, and room number in advance. Visit or map the route the day before. Arrive with buffer time for security checks or queueing at the entrance.
Black or blue pens (at least two)
Bring your own pens for the written sections. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is required for any answer sheet (for example, multiple-choice or optical mark sheets) and whether erasers or correction fluid are permitted.
Pencil and eraser (if optical answer sheets are used)
If any section uses machine-read answer sheets, you may need a pencil and eraser. This varies by centre - confirm with the provider what writing instruments are required for each section.
No notes, books, or electronic devices at your desk
Leave dictionaries, phones, smartwatches, and study notes outside the exam room or switched off and stored as instructed. A1 candidates are not permitted reference materials; confirm with the provider the exact device policy.
Water and a light snack for the break
The exam has multiple sections and may run across a morning or a full day. Bring water in a clear bottle if the centre allows it, and a snack for any scheduled break. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk.
Watch (non-smart) if the room has no visible clock
A simple wristwatch helps you pace the reading and writing sections. Smartwatches are almost always prohibited; confirm with the provider what is allowed on your wrist.
Review the section order and timing in advance
Know which sections come first (typically listening, then reading, then writing, with speaking possibly on the same or a different day). Confirm with the provider the exact schedule and timing for your sitting.
Plan your speaking slot
Speaking may be scheduled individually or in pairs, before or after the written papers. Check your assigned time and be ready to wait. Confirm with the provider how and when your speaking time is announced.
Rest and normal routine the night before
Sleep well and avoid last-minute cramming. At A1 level, familiarity with basic instructions and question formats matters more than new vocabulary the night before.
Arrive early
Aim to reach the centre well before the stated start time to allow for check-in and seating. Confirm with the provider the latest arrival time and what happens if you are late.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: re-check the centre address, your assigned room, the start time, and whether speaking is on the same day. Re-read the official instructions for each section so you know the task types. Do one short timed practice of listening and reading to calibrate your pace, then stop heavy study.
Review the format of each section: how many questions, how much time, and how answers must be recorded. Practise transferring answers correctly if answer sheets are used. Prepare your documents and pens in one bag so nothing is forgotten.
Do a light review only: common instruction words, question types, and a short speaking warm-up aloud. Lay out your ID, confirmation, pens, water, and clothes. Check transport times and set two alarms. Avoid new material and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and keep conversation in Italian light and calm. At check-in, present your ID and confirmation, follow seating instructions, and switch off your phone. Use the minutes before the start to settle, not to cram.
Read the questions before each recording if the format allows, listen for key words, and mark answers as you go. Do not panic if you miss a word - keep following the audio and answer what you can.
Watch the clock and divide time across tasks. For reading, skim for the main idea, then check details. For writing, plan briefly, write clearly, and leave a minute to check spelling and that you answered the actual task.
Greet the examiner, listen to the whole question, and answer in simple complete sentences. If you do not understand, ask politely for repetition in Italian. Keep going - fluency and communication matter more than perfect grammar at A1.
Note what felt difficult while it is fresh, but do not try to reconstruct every answer. Ask the centre how and when results are released if that was not stated. Confirm with the provider the results timeline and certificate collection process.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document used at registration; the name must match. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether any alternative is permitted.
Follow the centre's instructions on phones, smartwatches, and bags. Devices must usually be switched off and stored away; confirm with the provider the exact policy and consequences for a device at the desk.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not look at others' papers. Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you need help or need to leave the room.
Breaks are at the centre's discretion and are usually not allowed during a timed section. Confirm with the provider whether toilet breaks are permitted and how they are supervised.
Write only in the spaces or on the answer sheets indicated. Answers recorded in the wrong place may not be marked; confirm with the provider how each section's answers must be submitted.
Arrive by the stated time. Late arrivals may be refused entry once a section has started; confirm with the provider the latest arrival time and the policy for lateness.
Do not bring dictionaries, notes, or unauthorised aids. A1 candidates work without reference materials; confirm with the provider what is permitted in the room.
Results and scoring are set by the awarding body, and section weighting and pass requirements should be checked with the provider rather than assumed. Ask how and when results are published.