CILS B1 Cittadinanza practice
Italian B1 citizenship test practice
Take a full practice paper in the format of the B1 exam for Italian citizenship: listening with real audio, reading and grammar, and a writing task with instant feedback on the official criteria. Free, no account.
From the practice paper · Ascolto, prova 1
Il signor Benali telefona per
- A) cambiare il giorno della visita.
- B) chiedere il risultato delle analisi.
- C) prenotare una visita per il figlio.
You hear a short phone call twice, then choose.
What the exam looks like
Taken from the official prototype paper and scoring criteria published by the CILS centre in Siena. You must pass every part in the same session.
Listening · Ascolto
30 minutes · 6 multiple-choice questions and 12 true/false statements.
Scored out of 12
Reading and grammar · Lettura e grammatica
40 minutes · 12 true/false statements and a 6-gap text.
Scored out of 12
Writing · Produzione scritta
40 minutes · one email or message of 80–120 words, from a choice of two topics.
Scored out of 12
Speaking · Produzione orale
10 minutes · a one-minute introduction, then a short conversation with the examiner on an everyday topic.
Scored out of 12
Source: CILS B1 Cittadinanza page, Università per Stranieri di Siena. Read the full exam guide.
Do you need it?
Applications for citizenship by marriage or by residence need proof of Italian at B1 level. Some people do not need a certificate: those who signed an integration agreement, holders of an EU long-term residence permit issued in Italy, people with an Italian school or university qualification, and people with a certified serious health condition.
Check in four questionsCILS, CELI, PLIDA or CERT.IT?
Five certificates are accepted for citizenship: CILS, CELI, PLIDA, CERT.IT and CE.Co.L. They test the same B1 level but differ in format, dates and exam centres. Our practice follows the CILS B1 Cittadinanza format.
Compare the certificatesThe full practice pack is coming
Eight complete papers with audio, feedback on every writing and speaking task, and a section-by-section readiness check. Leave your email and we will write once when it is ready.
Questions
- Is this the official exam?
- No. This is an independent practice site. The real CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam is set by the Università per Stranieri di Siena and taken in person at an authorised exam centre. Our practice papers are written by us in the same format.
- What is in the exam?
- Four parts: listening (30 minutes), reading and grammar (40 minutes), writing (40 minutes) and speaking. Each part is scored out of 12.
- Do I have to pass every part?
- Yes. For the B1 Cittadinanza exam you must pass each part in the same session. If you fail one part, you retake the whole exam; you cannot carry passed parts over.
- How much does the exam cost?
- The official CILS page lists a fee of 100 euros, in Italy and abroad. Some centres may add their own charges, so check with your centre.
- Who needs the B1 certificate?
- People applying for Italian citizenship by marriage or by residence, for applications submitted from 4 December 2018. Some applicants are exempt. Use our checker to see which applies to you.
- Is the practice test free?
- Yes. One complete practice paper for listening and reading is free, with audio and answer explanations, plus instant feedback on one writing task.