The Italian Citizenship B1 Blog

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New to all this? This one guide covers the whole picture.

Pillar guide

Which Italian Exam for Citizenship? The Complete B1 Guide

Who needs B1 (and who doesn't), the four accepted certificates at a glance, why CILS B1 Cittadinanza is the usual choice, what it tests, the scoring trap, and how to start preparing.

All guides

Every article in the cluster, from choosing your exam to passing each section.

• Choosing your exam

  CILS vs CELI vs PLIDA vs IT: Which B1 Exam to Choose

  The four accepted certificates compared — issuer, format, cost, availability and results speed.

• Booking

  How to Register for the CILS B1 Exam: Step-by-Step

  Where exams are held, how to find an authorized centre, the ~€100 fee, and why to book early.

• Exam format

  What's on the CILS B1 Exam? Section-by-Section Guide

  Listening, reading + grammar, writing and speaking — task types, timings and what each looks like.

• Scoring

  CILS B1 Pass Mark: How the Scoring Actually Works

  12 points per section, 48 total, at least 7 each and 28 overall — and the one-weak-section trap.

• Your route

  B1 for Italian Citizenship by Descent: Do You Need It?

  Descent skips the exam; marriage and residency don't. Plus the 2025 rule change explained.

• Speaking

  How to Pass the CILS B1 Oral Exam: A Calm Strategy

  Structure both tasks, steady the nerves, find reliable phrasing, and rehearse until it's routine.

• Writing

  CILS B1 Writing: A Reusable Template for Both Tasks

  A reusable structure for the short functional text and the ~100-word text, plus how it's graded.

• Planning

  CILS B1 Exam Dates: How the Calendar Works

  When sessions run, why seats sell out, and how to plan backward from your citizenship deadline.

• Expectations

  How Hard Is Italian B1? An Honest Look for Citizenship

  What the level means, which sections trip up English speakers, and realistic prep time.