How to Pass the CILS B1 Exam for Italian Citizenship

If you’re here, you probably need to pass an Italian language certification test to get your Italian citizenship. You’re in the right place! In this post, I’m going to break down everything you need to know about the CILS B1 for Citizenship exam (aka CILS B1 Cittadinanza) — and how to pass it.

Why the CILS B1 for Citizenship?

First things first — yes, there are other B1-level certifications that will allow you to apply for Italian citizenship (like the CELI or PLIDA), but I’m focusing on the CILS B1 Cittadinanza here for a couple of reasons:

• It’s the most popular certification among my students.
• It’s shorter and easier than the regular CILS B1 exam.
• It can be taken in Italy and abroad, unlike others (like CELI), which are only available in Italy.

So, let’s dive into what this exam looks like and how you can prep for it the smart way.

Learn the smart way!
Before diving into actual exam preparation, make sure you’ve built a solid foundation in Italian grammar. You should first reach a strong A1–A2 level, which you can achieve through a course at a language school, with a teacher, or even through self-study. Once you’re confident at the A2 level, you can begin working toward B1 proficiency and focus specifically on the requirements of the CILS B1 for Citizenship exam.

CILS B1 Cittadinanza: Exam Overview

The CILS B1 for Citizenship consists of four sections and takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes, with a 15-minute break.

The Four Sections:

1. Listening
2. Reading Comprehension + Syntax
3. Writing
4. Speaking (Oral Exam)

In the rest of this post, I’ll walk you through how to prepare for each section — using the same techniques I share with my private students.

PART 1: Listening Section

What to Expect

This section includes two audio recordings and lasts 30 minutes:

If your listening isn’t perfect — don’t worry, that’s totally normal at this level. Most learners can only follow Italian when it’s spoken slowly and with basic vocabulary. That’s okay.

How to Prepare

The best way to improve? Use audio materials that match your current level (or are just a tiny bit harder). Here’s the golden rule:

If you don’t understand most of what you’re hearing, the audio is too difficult. Avoid jumping into movies or the Italian news — they’re way too advanced right now and will only leave you frustrated. Instead, go for content that’s just above your current comfort zone.

Remember: Consistent exposure to the right content at the right level is key to improving your listening skills.

PART 2: Reading Section

What to Expect

This section includes 2 short texts and lasts 40 minutes:

• The first has multiple-choice questions.
• The second is a fill-in-the-blank vocabulary exercise.

How to Prepare

To improve your reading, I recommend:

• Italian short stories designed for A2–B1 learners
• Any other Italian textbook geared at A2-B1 level.

Why reading is so Important?

Reading helps you naturally absorb: vocabulary, grammar patterns and sentence structure.

PART 3: Writing Section

What to Expect

The writing section of the CILS B1 Cittadinanza includes two prompts and last 40 minutes. You only need to choose one to complete.

Typical tasks include:

• Writing a short email (about 80 words)
• Writing a short personal essay (around 100 words)
  Examples: describing a vacation, your last birthday, or a typical day in your life.

You pick one prompt and write a short, clear, personal piece in simple Italian.

How to Prepare

Let’s be real — writing practice is non-negotiable if you want to pass this part of the exam. But the good news? Writing is also one of the best ways to fix those little mistakes that sneak into your speaking — things like verb endings, prepositions, and articles.

Here’s what I recommend:

Practice, then get feedback

• Write short texts regularly.
• Get them corrected by a teacher (best option!) or a language exchange partner.
• Don’t just focus on conversation during your language exchanges — use your partner to help correct your writing too!

You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn just by seeing your mistakes clearly.

Why writing reveals your blind spots?

One of my students (an intermediate-level learner) once wrote a short essay for her exam prep. Just from that short piece, we spotted some high-frequency mistakes:

• Confusing meglio vs migliore
• Misusing male vs cattivo
• Getting il/lo mixed up

These are super common, and if you don’t correct them now, they can become “fossilized errors” that stick with you even as your Italian gets better.

So — start writing, keep it short and regular, and get your work corrected.

PART 4: Oral Section

What to Expect

The speaking part of the CILS B1 for Citizenship is short and sweet — just 3 to 5 minutes, and it’s recorded.

Here’s how it works:

• You’ll get four prompts and choose one to talk about.
• Before diving in, you’ll be asked to introduce yourself briefly.
• Then, after your response, the examiner may ask follow-up questions to check how well you can hold a conversation and express your opinions.

How to Prepare

You don’t need to sound like a native — just focus on being clear, relevant, and natural. Here’s what I suggest:

Practice with these strategies:

• Record yourself responding to sample prompts.
• Time yourself speaking for 1–2 minutes, then gradually stretch to 3–5.
• Practice speaking without reading or scripting too much — it should feel like a real chat.
• Use your language partner or teacher to simulate exam conditions.

The goal? To sound like you — in Italian. Mistakes are okay as long as you communicate clearly and stay engaged.

CILS B1 Cittadinanza – Sample Test

You can sneak a peek at a sample of the CILS B1 Citizenship exam right here.

Best Textbooks to Prepare for the CILS B1 Citizenship Exam

Once you reach an intermediate level in Italian, you can start training for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza certification. The best strategy is to use a textbook that includes sample exams, like the one below: It will give you a clear idea of the test format and help you practice effectively.

Dive deeper

• Italian Language Certifications