CEnT-S: changes to the test structure and macro-periods
A new section and a new structure for the macro-periods: these are the latest changes to the CEnT-S (CISIA English Test - Sciences), exactly one year after the launch of the CEnT-S, the test in English that replaced the English TOLC-E, English TOLC-I and English TOLC-F.
The updates will apply from the first tests held in November 2026.
The new CEnT-S section
A new Reading and comprehension section will be added to the existing sections (Mathematics, Reasoning on texts and data, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The section includes 10 questions to be completed in 30 minutes.
The CEnT-S will now be structured as follows:
| SECTION | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | MINUTES |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and comprehension | 10 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 15 | 30 |
| Reasoning on texts and data | 15 | 30 |
| Biology | 10 | 20 |
| Chemistry | 10 | 20 |
| Physics | 5 | 10 |
| TOTAL | 65 | 140 |
Changes to the macro-periods
During the first year, the available dates were divided into four macro-periods. With the start of the second year, there will be five macro-periods:
- first macro-period: November, December, January
- second macro-period: February, March
- third macro-period: April, May
- fourth macro-period: June, July
- fifth macro-period: August, September.
Looking back at the first year
Around 13.400 CEnT-S tests were taken in the first year. This significant figure highlights the importance of a test designed to meet the needs and aspirations of a student population increasingly drawn to Italian universities.
