The CILS Due B2 is an official language exam issued by the University for Foreigners in Siena, Italy. This certification proves to the Italian government, Italian university institutions, or employers in Italy that you have a B2 (upper-intermediate) level of competence in the Italian language.
What’s B2 in Italian? Understanding This Language Level
A B2 level of competency (according to the Common European Framework of Reference, or CEFR) means that you can:
- Understand the essence of complex Italian texts
- Interact with native speakers with a certain level of fluency without being too much of a burden for them
- Produce texts and speak about a wide range of subjects (history, news, politics, culture, and society)
- Express and defend your viewpoint on various topics
The CILS B2 exam evaluates your competencies in listening, reading, speaking, and writing Italian at an upper-intermediate level and will attest that you have an upper-intermediate command of the Italian language.
Is the Italian Language Test Worth Taking?
Most people learn Italian out of love for the country or to reconnect with their Italian heritage. Learning a language as an adult or outside of a formal setting is a beautiful and rewarding journey, but sometimes it lacks structure or a sense of direction because of its informal setting.
This is why taking an official Italian test is recommended for students who:
- Are serious about reaching actual fluency: Committing to an official language certificate will eventually lead you to fluency because you will be “forced” to study all four aspects of language competencies. Your Italian study time won’t be just about speaking, but also writing and listening.
- Need a motivation boost for their learning journey or to step out of a learning plateau.
- Want to combine learning with travel: What better way to spend your vacation in Italy than by taking the test at the evaluation center in your favorite Italian city?
How Long Does It Take to Prepare?
That depends on your starting point:
- If your level is intermediate, you might need an extra six to twelve months to cover the upper-intermediate level.
- If you are just at the edge of B2, you might need just a quick fix and work many hours on exam examples.
How Can I Take the CILS Due B2 Exam?
You can sit for the exam virtually worldwide at any accredited Italian Language Center or in Italy:
- Every year, there are three sessions in Italy and two in the rest of the world.
- You should sign up and pay for the exam with at least one month’s notice.
- The cost of the CILS Due B2 is around 120 euros/130 dollars. It may cost slightly more depending on your chosen center for the exam.
The Exam Format
The CILS B2 exam consists of five sections and lasts 3.45h.
The entire test will last about 3 hours 45 minutes, with a 15-minute break before the writing part.
| Section | Time | Format | Question Types | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening (Ascolto) | 30 minutes | Three audio recordings (played twice). | Multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blanks | Conversations, announcements, interviews, short talks |
| Reading (Lettura) | 50 minutes | Three authentic texts of various types. | Multiple choice, matching, true/false questions | Newspaper articles, advertisements, informative texts, narrative passages |
| Writing (Produzione Scritta) | 1 hour 10 minutes | Two writing tasks: Task 1 – Structured text (e.g., email, letter, review). Task 2 – Essay or narrative. | Task 1: 120-140 words, Task 2: 180-200 words | Task 1: Email/letter/review, Task 2: Essay/narrative |
| Language Structures (Strutture della Lingua) | 30 minutes | Multiple exercises focused on grammar and vocabulary. | Multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks, text completion, error correction | Verb tenses, prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions, idiomatic expressions |
| Speaking (Produzione Orale) | 15-20 minutes | Face-to-face interview with examiner. | Task 1: Introduction and personal questions, Task 2: Role play, Task 3: Picture description and discussion | Fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, interaction |
Scoring and Results
- Each section is worth 20 points, for a total of 100 points
- Minimum passing score: 55/100 points overall
- You must achieve at least 11/20 in each section to pass the exam
- Results are typically available within 2-3 months after the exam date
B2 Grammar Topics
You should have a solid background in upper-intermediate Italian grammar before taking this exam. In other words, you should have already reached a B2 level (after completing the B1 level, which is the third level of Italian in the Common European Framework of Reference).
| Italian Grammar Topics | Description |
|---|---|
| Double Object Pronouns | Pronouns like “me lo,” “te lo,” “glielo,” etc., used to replace both direct and indirect objects in Italian sentences. |
| Simple and Compound Future | Two future tenses used to express actions or events that will happen in the future. |
| Simple and Compound Conditional | Two conditional tenses used to express hypothetical or uncertain actions or events. |
| Subjunctive Moods (Congiuntivo Presente, Passato, Imperfetto e Trapassato) | Mood used to convey doubt, uncertainty, desires, or subjective opinions. Different forms are used depending on the context. |
| Consecutio Temporum (Consistency of Italian Tenses) | Ensuring the correct use of verb tenses in relation to each other within a sentence for logical consistency. |
| Italian Connectors | Words or phrases like “anche se,” “sebbene,” “a,” “quindi,” “a condizione che,” etc., used to link different parts of a sentence or express relationships between ideas. |
| Particles “Ne” and “Ci” | Versatile particles that can replace various elements in a sentence, such as quantities, places, or objects, making sentences more concise. |
| Imperative Mood | Mood used to give commands, suggestions, or instructions in Italian. It expresses direct requests or orders. |
| Periodo Ipotetico (If Clauses) | Expressing hypothetical situations or conditions in Italian using conditional tenses and subjunctive moods. |
Test Your Italian
Not sure what your Italian level is? I’ve created a free online Italian test to help you determine it.B2 Speaking Topics
| Personal Information and Experiences |
| – Hobbies, interests, daily routine – Family, friends, and relationships – Past experiences (travel, studies, work) |
| Current Events and Social Issues |
| – Politics, sports, environment – Social topics (education, health, tech) |
| Future Plans and Aspirations |
| – Future goals, personal or professional – Upcoming events or projects |
| Travel and Culture |
| – Cultural traditions, food, festivals – Places visited or desired – Benefits of traveling |
| Hypothetical Situations |
| – What would you do in certain situations? |
| Describing and Giving Opinions |
| – Describe pictures, objects, or people – Give opinions and explain reasons – Debate or discuss controversial issues |
Preparation Tips
- Practice with authentic materials: Read Italian newspapers, watch Italian TV shows, and listen to Italian podcasts
- Familiarize yourself with all question types: Practice with past exam papers
- Time management: Practice completing tasks within the allocated time
- Speaking practice: Record yourself speaking in Italian and practice with native speakers if possible
- Writing practice: Practice writing different text types following the word count guidelines
- Grammar review: Focus on the B2 grammar topics listed above, particularly the subjunctive mood and conditional tenses
Remember that the CILS Due B2 exam evaluates your practical language skills rather than theoretical knowledge. Focus on improving your ability to use Italian in real-life situations.
CILS B2 Exam Preparation Books
If you’re serious about getting your Italian certification or need to pass it for work or study purposes, here are some recommended preparation books for the CILS Due B2 test:
- Traguardo Cils B2: Focused specifically on exam strategies and practice
- Nuovo Contatto B2: Comprehensive course book with exam preparation sections
- Gramm.it for English Speakers: Comprehensive Grammar Book for Thorough Review
- Percorso CILS Due B2: Includes audio materials and targeted practice for each section
CILS Due B2 Sample:
Exam Centers and Dates for 2025
Typically, CILS exams are held multiple times per year. The exact dates and available centers vary by location and are usually announced several months in advance. For the most current and accurate information, I recommend visiting the official CILS website from the Università per Stranieri di Siena here.
For the exam centers worldwide, please check out this list.
