TOLC-I practice test with the real structure of the exam.
Same timing, same sections, same scoring as the CISIA TOLC-I. At the end you get your score out of 50, the breakdown by topic and the correct answer to every question by email — even the ones you skipped; with an account you see them straight away on this page. The step-by-step solution unlocks with your first lesson.
The TOLC-I is the admission test for engineering degrees used by many Italian universities, run by the CISIA consortium.
Test in Italian, with an English sectionThe questions are in Italian, as in the real exam; the English section is in English.
| Section | Questions | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | 20 | 50 |
| Logic | 10 | 20 |
| Science (physics and chemistry) | 10 | 20 |
| Verbal comprehension | 10 | 20 |
| English | 30 | 15 |
Scoring: +1 correct · −0.25 wrong · 0 blank. English has no penalty and is marked separately. Original CISIA-style questions, checked one by one.
Two worked examples from the test
Choose the correct option: My brother ___ breakfast at 7 a.m. every day.
Solution
Regola. Il present simple si usa per azioni abituali o di routine, spesso accompagnate da avverbi di frequenza come every day; con la terza persona singolare il verbo prende la desinenza -s.
Perché qui. L'espressione 'every day' segnala una routine, non un'azione in corso: il soggetto 'my brother' è terza persona singolare, quindi il verbo deve avere la -s finale, cioè 'eats'.
Perché le altre non vanno: - 'is eating' (present continuous): descriverebbe un'azione in corso in questo momento, non un'abitudine ripetuta ogni giorno. - 'eat': è present simple ma senza la -s della terza persona singolare, quindi grammaticalmente scorretto con 'my brother'.
Per iscriversi al torneo di scacchi è necessario avere almeno 16 anni. Giulia si è iscritta al torneo. Cosa possiamo concludere con certezza?
Solution
«Avere almeno 16 anni» è condizione necessaria per iscriversi al torneo: iscriversi → avere almeno 16 anni. Non è detto che sia anche sufficiente (potrebbero servire altri requisiti).
Passo 1 — Individuo la direzione dell'implicazione. «Necessaria» significa che l'iscrizione implica l'età minima, non il contrario: non possiamo dedurre che chiunque abbia 16 anni possa iscriversi automaticamente (questo confonderebbe necessaria con sufficiente).
Passo 2 — Applico il modus ponens. Giulia si è iscritta (l'iscrizione è avvenuta) → quindi la condizione necessaria deve essere verificata: Giulia ha almeno 16 anni.
Passo 3 — Escludo le opzioni troppo precise. Non possiamo dire che ha esattamente 16 anni: la regola fissa solo un minimo, non un valore fisso.
Conclusione. L'unica affermazione certa è che Giulia ha almeno 16 anni.
In the online practice test you will find 78 more questions like these; the correct answer to every question arrives by email.
Frequently asked questions.
Is the practice test identical to the real TOLC-I?
It follows the official CISIA structure, timing and scoring faithfully: 20 maths questions in 50 minutes, 10 logic in 20, 10 science in 20, 10 verbal comprehension in 20, plus 30 English questions in 15 minutes. Scoring is +1 for a correct answer, −0.25 for a wrong one and 0 for a blank (there is no penalty in the English section). The questions are original, written in the style of the official syllabus — they are not copied CISIA questions.
What score do I need to pass the TOLC-I?
There is no national threshold: each university sets its own in its call for applications. As a rough guide, many engineering faculties ask for 18–24 points out of 50, often with a minimum threshold in the maths section to avoid additional learning requirements (OFA). A competitive score for the rankings is 25–30+. Note: Politecnico di Milano uses its own test, the TOL (it accepts the TOLC-I through a conversion), and the Polytechnic University of Turin uses the TIL — always check your own university’s call for applications.
Where can I take a free TOLC-I practice test online?
Right here on this page: the TOLC-I practice test is free, starts immediately, uses the section timing of the real test and can be retaken as many times as you like. At the end you receive by email your score out of 50, the breakdown by topic and the correct answer to every question.
Can I retake the practice test more than once?
Yes, as often as you like. The questions are drawn at random from a bank of 250 verified questions, so every attempt is a different test. If you close the page halfway through, the test resumes where you left off.
How does the English section work?
As in the real test: 30 questions in 15 minutes, with no penalty for wrong answers. The score does not count towards the total out of 50 but indicates your level: up to 6 points is beginner (A1), 7–16 is first level (A2), 17–23 is intermediate (B1) and 24–30 means no course is needed.
What if my score is low?
That is exactly why the practice test exists: at the end you see the breakdown by section and by topic, so you know where to focus your revision. If you would like a hand, the first call with me is a free diagnostic: we look at the results together and build a plan around your real gaps.
Want to raise your score for real?
The practice test shows you where you lose points; in lessons we work exactly there, on the official CISIA questions, with a timed practice test every 3–4 lessons. Read how the TOLC-I preparation works, or start with the free diagnostic call.