CILS B2
CILS - Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera (Università per Stranieri di Siena), livello B2
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
CILS - Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera - is the Italian-language certification suite issued by the Università per Stranieri di Siena, one of Italy's state universities specialised in teaching Italian to non-native speakers. The B2 level sits in the upper-intermediate band of the Common European Framework of Reference: a candidate at this level is expected to understand the main ideas of complex texts, interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible without strain, and produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects. The B2 exam is therefore aimed at learners who already handle everyday and semi-professional Italian and want documented proof of it - for university admission, for employment, for residence or citizenship procedures, or simply as a里程碑 in their studies. The exam is organised in separate skill components: listening, reading, analysis of communication structures (grammar and vocabulary), written production and oral production. Because the five parts test different abilities, preparation should be balanced rather than concentrated on one skill. Typical preparation combines a structured B2 coursebook, extensive reading and listening with authentic Italian material, systematic work on the grammar points that recur in the structures section, and timed practice of full written and oral tasks with feedback from a teacher or a competent speaker.
What you'll study
About CILS B2 preparation
Who issues the CILS B2 certificate?
CILS is issued by the Università per Stranieri di Siena, whose registered address is Piazza Carlo Rosselli 27/28, 53100 Siena, Italy. The university publishes the certification on its own website under the CILS section. Always confirm details of the level you intend to sit directly with the university or an authorised exam centre before registering.
What does the B2 exam actually test?
The exam is built around separate components: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, analysis of communication structures (grammar and vocabulary), written production and oral production. Each part is assessed separately, so a weak component can pull down an otherwise strong performance. Prepare all five rather than specialising in the ones you find easiest.
How long does the exam take and how many points do I need to pass?
The official home page of the university does not publish the duration, the number of items or the pass threshold for the B2 session. These operational details change between sessions and are published in the official exam regulations and in the candidate guide. Do not rely on figures from forums or older coursebooks - check the current documentation before exam day.
How difficult is B2 compared with B1?
The jump is real: B1 rewards survival communication, while B2 demands that you follow argument, infer meaning from context and sustain your own discourse. Texts get longer and more abstract, listening speeds up and includes opinion, and the writing tasks require structured text rather than short messages. Expect several months of consistent work if you are solidly at B1.
Can I retake the exam if I fail?
Retake rules, waiting periods and whether a partial result can be carried over are set by the university and are not stated on its home page. Ask the exam centre where you register, and get the answer in writing before you pay, so you know exactly what happens if one component goes badly.
In what order should I prepare the five parts?
Build grammar and vocabulary first, since they feed every other component, then move to reading and listening with authentic material, and only afterwards drill timed writing and oral tasks. Leave at least a few weeks for full mock exams under real time pressure - the pacing of the exam is often what surprises candidates, not the language itself.
What are the most common ways candidates fail B2?
Three recur: neglecting the oral component until the last minute, so fluency never develops; reading and listening passively without checking why an answer was wrong; and writing without a clear structure, producing long but disorganised text. A fourth is poor time management, which leaves the final task rushed or unfinished.
How long is the certificate valid and what is it accepted for?
Validity and recognition are decided by the institution that asks for the certificate - universities, employers or immigration authorities - and the university home page does not state a validity period. If you need CILS for a specific procedure, ask the receiving body which level and which certificate it accepts before you enrol.
Where can I sit the exam and how do I register?
Registration runs through the Università per Stranieri di Siena and its network of authorised exam centres in Italy and abroad. Session dates, centre lists and fees are published by the university, not on third-party sites. Start from the official CILS pages and contact the centre nearest you for deadlines.