What is the CILS A1 Exam?
The CILS A1 is a certification that tests your basic Italian language skills at the beginner level.
You can take the CILS A1 exam in Italy or at approved testing centers worldwide, including universities and institutions recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education.
What Does “A1” Mean?
The A1 level represents beginner Italian proficiency according to the CEFR (Common European Framework), enabling you to:
- Introduce yourself and ask basic personal questions
- Navigate everyday situations with simple phrases
- Discuss family, hobbies, and immediate needs
- Understand slow, clear speech on familiar topics
- Recognize and use essential vocabulary and grammar structures
This foundation level demonstrates basic communication abilities in Italian for everyday interactions.
How to Prepare for the CILS A1 Exam
To reach A1 level, focus on mastering basic Italian grammar and vocabulary. You can do this through language classes or with a private tutor. Either way, follow a structured plan covering the fundamentals specific to A1 Italian.
Make sure to practice all four core language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. You need competency in each area to pass the exam. Simply using an app that teaches conversational phrases and common verbs won’t be enough.
Recommended Resources for CILS A1 Preparation
Essential Study Materials
- CILS A1 Quaderni – Collection of previous exam papers that provide authentic practice with the exact format and difficulty level of the real exam
- Nuovo Espresso Italiano 1 (Alma Edizioni) – Comprehensive course with audio materials, specifically designed for beginners with a good balance of grammar, vocabulary and conversational practice
- Rocket Language Italian – Great self-paced learning method, particularly good for total beginners who prefer interactive audio lessons with cultural insights
- Short Stories in Simple Italian – Perfect for improving vocabulary, listening and sentence building ability (Note: not recommended for absolute beginners, better for those who already have some basic vocabulary)
Online Resources and Tutoring
- Preply or Italki or any other language school in your area – Platforms to find an Italian tutor who can hold you accountable, provide personalized feedback, and monitor your A1 progress through regular lessons
Grammar Resources
- Basic Italian Grammar – A solid grammar book that builds a strong framework for Italian fluency, with clear explanations of fundamental concepts needed for A1 level
- Praticamente Dimmi – Practical grammar exercises for beginners
- Italian Verb Drills – An excellent drill book for those just starting out with Italian, focusing on verb conjugations and developing proper syntax
Study Approach Tips
When using these resources, consider the following approach:
- Start with a structured course like Nuovo Espresso or Rocket Italian to build foundational knowledge
- Reinforce sentence patterns with the Italian Verb Drills
- Practice exam-specific skills with the CILS A1 Quaderni
- Clarify grammar concepts using Basic Italian Grammar
- When you’ve gained some vocabulary, begin reading Short Stories in Simple Italian
- Throughout your preparation, work with a tutor for conversation practice and personalized guidance
Remember that consistent practice across all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) is essential for CILS exam success.
Test Your Italian
Not sure what your Italian level is? I’ve created a free online Italian test to help you determine it.How Long Does It Take to Learn Italian to an A1 Level?
Learning time varies based on several factors, but the quality of your study time matters more than quantity when acquiring a new language. For native English speakers or those without prior experience in Romance languages (like Spanish or French), reaching an A1 level in Italian typically requires approximately 3 to 5 months of consistent study.
This timeframe assumes:
- 2-3 hours of focused practice per week
- Use of structured learning resources
- Regular conversation practice
- Some form of listening immersion (podcasts, videos, etc.)
Students with previous Romance language experience may progress more quickly, often achieving A1 proficiency in just 2-3 months. Remember that language learning is highly individualized, and your personal aptitude, study methods, and consistency will ultimately determine your progress.
A1 grammar for the CILS exam
| Verbs: Present Tense | Regular and irregular verbs in the present tense (e.g., parlare, essere, avere) |
| Verbs: Reflexive Verbs | Reflexive verbs (e.g., mi sveglio, ti lavi) |
| Articles | Definite (il, la, i, le) and indefinite articles (un, una, dei, delle) |
| Nouns: Gender and Number | Masculine/feminine, singular/plural (e.g., ragazzo/ ragazza, libri) |
| Possessive Adjectives | My, your, his/her (e.g., mio, tua, suoi) |
| Adjectives: Agreement | Agreement of adjectives with nouns (e.g., una casa grande, un uomo alto) |
| Prepositions | Simple prepositions (e.g., a, di, in, con, per, su) |
| Verbs: Future Simple (near future) | Expressing near future (e.g., vado a studiare, fra poco mangio) |
| Verbs: Imperative | Giving commands or instructions (e.g., Mangia! Ascolta!) |
| Pronouns | Subject pronouns (io, tu, lui/lei), object pronouns (mi, ti, lo) |
| Questions | Forming yes/no questions and questions with “che, dove, come” |
| Negation | Using “non” to form negations (e.g., Non parlo, Non voglio) |
| There is/There are | Using “c’è” and “ci sono” for existence (e.g., C’è un libro, Ci sono delle persone) |
| Comparatives | Making comparisons (e.g., più…di, meno…di) |
| Adverbs of Frequency | Expressing frequency (e.g., sempre, mai, spesso) |
A1 conversation topics for the CILS exam
| Introductions | Talk about your name, age, where you are from, and your hobbies. |
| Family | Describe your family members (parents, siblings, etc.) and their jobs or activities. |
| Daily Routine | Talk about your typical day (what time you wake up, work, study, etc.). |
| Free Time | Describe what you do in your free time (hobbies, activities, etc.). |
| Food | Discuss your favorite foods, meals, and eating habits. |
| Weather | Talk about the weather today or in different seasons. |
| School/Work | Describe your school or job, your subjects or work responsibilities. |
| National Holidays | Talk about holidays in your country and how you celebrate them. |
| Travel | Discuss places you have visited or want to visit. |
| House and Home | Describe your home, the rooms, and what it looks like. |
CILS A1 Exam Structure
The exam is split into 5 sections and will last around 2 hours.
| Section | Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Test di Ascolto (Listening Comprehension) | Divided into two parts: listening to two short texts. Multiple-choice exercises. Audio tracks repeated twice. | 30 minutes |
| Test di Comprensione della Lettura (Reading Comprehension) | Divided into three parts. Requires reading basic text messages. Multiple-choice questions or matching exercises. | 30 minutes |
| Test di Analisi delle Strutture di Comunicazione (Grammar and Vocabulary) | Consists of three fill-in-the-blank texts. Assesses basic grammar and vocabulary skills. Candidate must supply the correct article or verb. | 30 minutes |
| Test di Scrittura (Writing Production) | Consists of two short writing prompts. Texts should not exceed 40 words each. | 30 minutes |
| Produzione Orale (Speaking Part) | Divided into two parts. Administered individually. Examiner may assist a candidate having trouble speaking. Overall duration around 3-4 minutes. |
How to Find CILS A1 Exam Samples
It’s critical that you set aside time and resources to familiarize yourself with the exam structure before taking it. You can find a copy of a previous CILS A1 exam on the official CILS website. If you want more practice, I recommend getting the “Quaderni,” which is a collection of mock tests from previous years’ CILS A1 exams.
CILS A1 Integrazione
The CILS A1 Integrazione is a nationally recognized Italian language test that certifies foreigners living in Italy have achieved an A1 level of proficiency in the language. This exam is exclusively available to individuals already residing in Italy.
The structure of the CILS A1 Integrazione is very similar to the standard CILS A1 exam, but the assignments are tailored to students living in Italy. The vocabulary and scenarios focus on situations that candidates may have already encountered or are likely to encounter during their stay in Italy. Examples include handling groceries, obtaining a driver’s license, enrolling in Italian lessons, or asking for information.
Exam samples for the CILS A1 Integrazione can be found on the official CILS website or through authorized testing centers in Italy.
Dates and Exam Centers
You can check the official CILS exam centers worldwide by visiting this page. For upcoming test dates and registration deadlines, view the official examination calendar here. Most centers offer the A1 exam multiple times throughout the year, typically in June and December.
