CILS B1 exam-day guide
CILS B1 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid ID document
Bring the same identity document you used at registration (typically passport or national ID). The exact accepted document types and whether a photocopy is allowed must be confirmed with your test centre; do not assume a driving licence is accepted.
Admission confirmation / registration receipt
Print or save the confirmation email showing your candidate number, session time and venue. Some centres check it at the door; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Know your exact reporting time and venue
CILS sessions are usually run at authorised centres and the whole battery (listening, reading, writing, speaking) can occupy a large part of the day. Check the start time, address and which entrance to use on the centre's own communication.
Black or blue pens (two or three)
Answers are written on paper answer sheets. Bring spare pens in a permitted colour; confirm with the centre whether pencil is allowed for any section and whether correction fluid is permitted.
Watch (non-smart)
Timing is tight in the reading and writing sections. A simple analogue or digital watch is safer than relying on a wall clock you cannot see; smart watches are normally not allowed in the room.
Water and a small snack
Sessions can be long with a break between the written paper and the oral. Bring water in a clear container and something quiet to eat during breaks, subject to centre rules.
Leave phones and smart devices outside the room
Phones, smart watches, earbuds and any device must be switched off and stored as instructed. Possession in the exam room can lead to annulment of the paper, so plan where to leave them.
Review the format, not new grammar
In the last days, re-read the task types and timing for each section (listening, reading, writing, oral) and practise with a timer rather than starting new grammar topics.
Prepare the oral section prompts
Be ready to introduce yourself, describe a photo or situation, and talk about everyday topics. Rehearse short monologues aloud so you can fill the required time without long pauses.
Plan the journey and arrive early
Aim to be at the venue well before the reporting time to allow for document checks and seating. Confirm local arrival guidance with the centre.
Plan the day
Do one full timed simulation of the written sections under real conditions: no dictionary, no phone, strict timing per section. Mark it, then list only the two or three error types that cost you most marks and work on those. Stop intensive new study after this point.
Check logistics: confirm venue, reporting time, ID requirements and whether any section is held on a different day or at a different room. Re-read the centre's instructions and note anything you must print.
Do a light speaking session with a partner or recording yourself: self-introduction, describing a picture, giving an opinion with reasons. Focus on fluency and linking words rather than perfect grammar.
Review your own error list, useful connectors and a small set of set phrases for writing (opening and closing an informal email or message). Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, pens, watch, water. Do not attempt a new mock exam.
Sleep early and avoid cramming late. Confirm your route and set two alarms; check transport disruptions if relevant.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and keep conversation with other candidates light. Hand in or switch off devices as instructed. Read the front of each answer sheet carefully and fill in your candidate details exactly as on your ID.
Read the questions before each recording starts, note key words, and answer as you listen. If you miss an item, mark your best guess and move on; do not let one gap cost you the following questions.
Skim the text first for the general meaning, then read the questions and go back to locate the evidence. Allocate time per task and keep a few minutes to transfer or check answers.
Spend a couple of minutes planning content and structure, write, then reserve time to check agreement, verb forms, spelling and whether you covered every point the task asked for.
Greet the examiner in Italian, listen to the whole question before answering, and use full sentences with connectors. If you do not understand, ask for repetition in Italian rather than switching to another language.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document accepted by your centre and keep it on the desk if instructed. The precise ID policy is set by the provider, so confirm it in advance rather than assuming.
Arrive by the reporting time. Late arrival may mean you are not admitted to the session; the exact cut-off is a centre decision, so confirm with the provider.
Phones, smart watches and earbuds must be off and stored as instructed. Any device found in the exam room may lead to annulment of your paper.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, do not look at others' papers, and do not take notes out of the room. Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times.
Breaks between sections are set by the centre and may be short. Ask the invigilator before leaving the room and expect to be accompanied; confirm the break arrangements with the provider.
Each section is timed separately and materials for one section are normally collected before the next begins. Do not open a section before you are told to start.
Results and certificate collection are handled by the centre and the awarding body, with timelines that vary by session. Ask your centre how and when results are released rather than relying on a fixed date.
If you believe there was a disturbance or a problem with equipment during the test, tell the invigilator immediately and ask how it will be recorded; requests made after the session are harder to resolve.