Dipartimento di Ingegneria
Università degli Studi di Perugia

University of Perugia
Department of Engineering
Regulations for the Entrance Test for First-Cycle Degree Programmes

1. Introduction

Art. 6 of Ministerial Decree 270/2004
In order to be admitted to a bachelor's degree programme, applicants must hold a secondary school diploma or another qualification obtained abroad and recognised as suitable. The University academic regulations, without prejudice to orientation activities coordinated and carried out pursuant to Article 11, paragraph 7, letter g), also require the possession or acquisition of adequate initial preparation. To this end, the same academic regulations define the knowledge required for access and establish the methods for verifying it, including at the conclusion of preparatory educational activities, possibly carried out in collaboration with upper secondary schools. If the assessment is not positive, specific Additional Educational Requirements (OFA) to be fulfilled during the first year of study are indicated. These Additional Educational Requirements are also assigned to students admitted to degree programmes with restricted access who have been admitted with a score lower than a predefined minimum threshold.

Art. 41 of the University Academic Regulations
In order to be admitted to a Bachelor's Degree Programme, applicants must hold a secondary school diploma, or another qualification obtained abroad and recognised as suitable, and must have adequate initial preparation. The Academic Regulations define the knowledge, educational and cultural requirements for access and establish the methods for verifying them. If the assessment is not positive, the Degree Programme Council indicates specific Additional Educational Requirements (OFA) to be fulfilled during the first year of the programme, including through educational activities prior to enrolment organised in collaboration with secondary schools or with other public or private bodies, on the basis of specific agreements approved by the Board of Directors. Any subsequent assessment of preparation following the fulfilment of the Additional Educational Requirements may not affect admission to examinations.

2. Objectives, Test Structure, Thresholds and Provisions

2.1. Objectives

For admission to the degree programmes in Computer and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, the Department of Engineering of the University of Perugia requires that students possess or acquire adequate initial preparation in mathematics, verbal comprehension and logic.

The use of an appropriate entrance test and corresponding passing criteria is also aimed at reducing early drop-out rates and limiting delayed graduation; as well as raising students’ awareness of the importance of English language proficiency. The entrance test also represents an important tool for students to self-assess their personal preparation and aptitude for undertaking the chosen studies and, for this reason, it must be approached seriously and with particular care.

2.2 Types of test

For the purpose of verifying adequate initial preparation, students are required to take one of the following tests:

• TOLC-I (CISIA Online Test – Engineering). A test in Italian consisting of sections on Mathematics, Logic, Science and Verbal Comprehension (plus English for certain purposes).
  
  
• CEnT-S (CISIA English Test-Sciences). A test in English, structured into 5 sections (Mathematics, Reasoning on texts and data, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  (From 2026, CEnT-S replaces the traditional English TOLC tests, which are no longer provided).

The TOLC-I and CEnT-S tests are administered by the Interuniversity Consortium for Integrated Access Systems (CISIA) and are valid nationwide at all participating universities.

2.3 Structure and contents of the tests

TOLC-I

The TOLC-I is an individual test, different from one student to another, but with comparable difficulty. TOLC-I consists of 50 + 30 questions divided into 5 sections. Each section has a predetermined number of questions and a fixed time limit, as shown in the following table.

The total time available for the entire TOLC-I test is 125 minutes. The test is administered in variable-time mode (students may proceed from one section to the next without waiting for the time to expire). No breaks are allowed during the test for any reason. Students therefore may not leave, unless they decide to terminate the test early. The entrance test must be taken before enrolment.

CEnT-S

The CEnT-S consists of 55 multiple-choice questions divided into 5 sections: Mathematics, Reasoning on texts and data, Biology, Chemistry, Physics. Each section has a predetermined number of questions and a fixed time limit, as shown in the following table.

The total time available for the entire CEnT-S test is 110 minutes. The test is administered in variable-time mode (students may proceed from one section to the next without waiting for the time to expire). No breaks are allowed during the test for any reason. Students therefore may not leave, unless they decide to terminate the test early. The entrance test must be taken before enrolment.

2.4 Assessment and scoring

Answers are scored as follows:

• +1 point for each correct answer
• 0 points for unanswered questions
• -0.25 points for each incorrect answer

For TOLC-I the English language section does not include penalties for incorrect answers, and its score is calculated as 1 point for correct answers and 0 points for incorrect or unanswered questions.

For CEnT-S the final score may be normalised according to CISIA procedures to ensure equivalence across different sessions.

2.5 Passing thresholds

The entrance test is considered passed upon achieving a score greater than or equal to a threshold defined for each academic year by the Department Council, after consultation with the relevant Degree Programme Boards. This threshold is tacitly renewed unless the Degree Programmes resolve otherwise.

Thresholds currently in force:

From Academic Year 2023-24, the TOLC-I test is considered passed only if both of the following conditions are met:

• at least 14/50 as the sum of the scores obtained in the sections Mathematics, Logic, Science, Verbal Comprehension;
• at least 7/20 obtained in the Mathematics section

From Academic Year 2025-26, the CEnT-S test is considered passed only if both of the following conditions are met:

• at least 10/35 as the sum of the scores obtained in the sections Mathematics, Reasoning on texts and data, Physics
• at least 5/15 obtained in the Mathematics section.

2.6 Provisions

1. Taking one of the TOLC-I or CEnT-S tests is mandatory for enrolment. If the student does not pass the test, they may still enrol, but they will be assigned Additional Educational Requirements (OFA), which must be fulfilled during the first year of study; otherwise, the student will not be allowed to take second-year exams.

2. Test taken but not passed: The OFA assigned to the student in the event of not passing the test may be fulfilled in one of the following alternative ways:
   1. take the test again and obtain a positive outcome: 

      The entrance test may be taken multiple times during the first year, in compliance with the time constraints established by CISIA for each type of test: 

      • TOLC-I: only one attempt per calendar month;

      • CEnT-S: only one attempt per macro-period.

   2. pass the "OFA make-up test", specifically focused on Mathematics, organised by the Department and administered by CISIA,
   3. pass an exam in the scientific-disciplinary sector SSD MAT/05 (Mathematics, Mathematical Analysis) during the first year of study.
3. Test not taken: Not taking any test is not to be considered equivalent to taking the test and not passing it. Enrolment without ever having taken the test is conditional, i.e. an exceptional situation that may be granted only for documented reasons. A first-year student who has not taken the test will not be able to book exams in the scientific-disciplinary sector SSD MAT/05 (Mathematics, Mathematical Analysis) during the first year of study (see Art. 7).

- Practice exercises and preparation materials for the tests and for fulfilling OFA are available and provided by CISIA.

- In addition, in September the Department organises Introductory Courses for all prospective first-year students (pre-courses).

3. Test dates coordinated by the Department of Engineering

In the current calendar year, the TOLC-I and CEnT-S tests can be taken on the dates indicated at the following link.

4. Participation in TOLC-I and CEnT-S, registration, rules for taking the test

The test is open to students enrolled in the fourth or fifth year of upper secondary schools and to students who already hold a secondary school diploma. International students may participate under the same conditions under which they may enrol in first-cycle degree programmes at the University of Perugia, and specifically those offered by the Department of Engineering.

To participate in the test, students must register through the CISIA portal, following the instructions published on the pages How to register for a TOLC and How to register for a CEnT, depending on the chosen test. Participation in the test also implies knowledge of and full acceptance of the terms of use of the chosen test (TOLC-I or CEnT-S) for the relevant year, issued by CISIA and available on the CISIA website.

Please also refer to the TOLC-I FAQs and CEnT-S FAQs, which participants are invited to read carefully. For technical or informational assistance regarding CISIA tests (TOLC-I or CEnT-S), students may contact the Help Desk service of the Interuniversity Consortium for Integrated Access Systems (CISIA) at the following link.

Participation in the test requires payment of a fee, the amount and methods of which are established by the terms of use of the chosen test. Payment must be received by CISIA at least one week before the test date (regardless of the payment method, MAV or credit card).

Students may take the entrance test (TOLC-I or CEnT-S) also at any other university participating in the Consortium.

The entrance test may also be taken voluntarily more than once in order to improve one’s score, especially if the threshold is not achieved. However, TOLC-I may not be taken more than once in the same calendar month, while CEnT-S may not be taken more than once per macro-period.

In preparation for the test, students are advised to practise with CISIA practice tests. CISIA has also set up a CISIA YouTube channel, where several tutorials are available. Students may also consult the online CISIA book, which includes a large number of commented and solved questions.

As regards the syllabus, students are advised to review the knowledge required by the TOLC-I test or by the CEnT-S test, depending on the test they intend to take.

5. Introductory and preparatory courses

In September, before the start of classes, the Department organises preparatory teaching activities for students, mainly aimed at acquiring or strengthening the knowledge required in mathematics; these activities are therefore also useful for passing the entrance tests.

These introductory courses are also intended to help students bridge the gap between upper secondary school and university, by addressing any shortcomings and helping them adapt to the pace and methods typical of university courses. Attendance is strongly recommended for all students to deepen their basic knowledge in mathematics and logic.

A CISIA MOOC (MOOC=Massive Open Online Courses) is also available. At present, a Basic Mathematics MOOC is available, delivered through the Federica Weblearning platform.

6. Exemption from the entrance test and equivalences

Those who meet the following conditions may request exemption from participation in the TOLC-I and CEnT-S tests:

1. Students admitted to degree programmes of the Department of Engineering of the University of Perugia coming from other programmes of this or other universities, and who have been granted recognition of at least 4 credits in the disciplinary sectors MAT/03 (Geometry) or MAT/05 (Mathematical Analysis).

The following candidates may request equivalence:

1. Those who have obtained the TOLC-I or CEnT-S certificate at another institution participating in the Consortium.
2. Those who have taken an entrance test for Engineering degree programmes at institutions that do not participate in the CISIA Consortium. In such cases, the certificate showing the scores obtained must be submitted at the time of enrolment and sent by email to the entrance test office in Perugia. For tests taken at universities that do not participate in the CISIA Consortium, students must contact the student office of the university where they took the entrance test in order to obtain the relevant certificate.

7. Obligation to take the entrance test: enrolment without a test

A student who enrols without having taken an entrance test (CISIA or equivalent) and does not fall within the categories of exempted students or those granted equivalence (Art. 6) must nevertheless take one of the required entrance tests as soon as possible, in order to allow verification of the admission requirements. Such enrolment is entirely exceptional and granted only for justified reasons. A student who does not take the test may not offset this obligation through OFA fulfilment methods, which apply only when the thresholds are not met. A student who has not taken any entrance test (neither TOLC-I nor CEnT-S) will not be able to register for the Mathematics I or Mathematical Analysis I exam, or equivalent (see point c of Art. 2.6).

8. Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders

Art. 5, paragraph 4, of Law 170/2010 provides that submitting diagnostic certification at the time of registration allows access to admission tests under the following arrangements:

1. granting additional time, compared to that established for other students, deemed appropriate by the University in relation to the type of test and in any case not exceeding an additional 30%;
2. granting additional time up to a maximum of 30% more than that defined for admission tests for nationally restricted-access degree programmes or for programmes defined by universities pursuant to Art. 4 of Law no. 264 of 2 August 1999;
3. in cases of certified severe SLD, universities—within their autonomy—may consider further measures to ensure equal opportunities in taking the tests.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders must provide, at the time of registration for the TOLC-I or CEnT-S test, appropriate certification issued no more than 3 years earlier by the Italian National Health Service or by specialists and facilities accredited by it, indicating the requested compensatory measures. At the request of the Department of Engineering, CISIA will grant an additional 30% time for taking the test. Furthermore, depending on the technical possibilities offered by the Department of Engineering and on what is indicated in the documentation provided, these students may be granted aids such as:
- a non-scientific calculator (to be brought by the student);
- the support of a tutor, appointed by the Commission, to assist with reading the text and/or indicating the selected answer in the case of multiple-choice questions.

9. Social media channels

For further information and updates, please refer to the Facebook page dedicated to the entrance tests of the Department of Engineering.

10. Final provisions

For any matters not expressly provided for in these regulations, reference is made to the relevant general, regulatory and ministerial provisions, to the study manifesto and academic regulations, and to CISIA regulations.

_______________________________________________________________________

Entrance Test Coordinator

Prof. Carla Binucci
Tel. 075-5853682
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
https://www.unipg.it/personale/carla.binucci