The short answer
What's on the CILS B1 exam: four sections, all sat the same day — listening, reading combined with grammar, writing, and speaking. The written part runs roughly two hours plus a short break; the oral is about ten minutes, taken right after. Each section is scored out of 12, for 48 total, and you must clear every one.
Below is a section-by-section walkthrough of the format and task types. We describe the structure only — not real exam content.
The exam at a glance
| Section | Skill tested | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Ascolto (Listening) | Understanding spoken Italian | ~30 min |
| Comprensione + grammar | Reading and grammar in context | ~40 min |
| Produzione scritta (Writing) | Producing written Italian | ~40 min |
| Produzione orale (Speaking) | Speaking with an examiner | ~10 min |
Per-section timings can vary slightly between sessions; treat these as approximate and confirm with the official exam board.
1. Listening (Ascolto)
You listen to recorded Italian and answer comprehension questions. Expect a mix of shorter exchanges — the kind of everyday talk you'd hear at a counter, on the phone, or in an announcement — and one or more longer passages such as a short interview or informational message.
Task types are typically multiple-choice and matching-style items where you select the correct option, or decide whether specific information is stated. The recording is played twice, but it runs at natural speed and won't slow down for you.
Why it catches people out: there's no way to "re-read" audio. If your ear isn't trained to natural-speed Italian, two plays go fast. This is one of the two sections English speakers most often underestimate.
2. Reading + grammar (Comprensione e strutture)
This section combines reading comprehension with grammar in context. You'll read real-world style texts — notices, short articles, announcements, practical information — and answer questions that check whether you understood the meaning and details.
Alongside the comprehension items, there's usually a grammar component, often a gap-fill or cloze task where you choose or supply the correct word form. It tests grammar the way you actually use it — verb endings, prepositions, articles and agreement inside a real sentence, not as isolated rules.
What it rewards: steady, accurate reading and solid control of everyday grammar. You don't need rare vocabulary — you need to not lose easy points to small grammar slips.
3. Writing (Produzione scritta)
You complete two writing tasks of different lengths. Typically one is a short, functional piece — a message or note that does a practical job, like making a request, leaving information, or replying to something. The other is a longer connected text of around 100 words, where you develop a topic, describe an experience, or give your opinion.
Examiners look for clear, organized writing that does what the task asks: the right tone, a logical flow, and control of everyday grammar and vocabulary. Fancy language isn't the goal — completing the task clearly is.
How to make it reliable: a repeatable structure removes guesswork under time pressure. We share a framework in the CILS B1 writing template.
4. Speaking (Produzione orale)
The oral is short and examiner-led, taken the same day as the written part. It usually has two tasks: a guided monologue where you describe or talk about a familiar topic, and an interactive task such as a simple role-play or giving and explaining your opinion in a short exchange.
You're assessed on whether you can communicate clearly and keep a conversation going at B1 — fluency, pronunciation that's understandable, range, and accuracy. You don't need to be perfect; you need to be understood and to keep talking.
The trap: it's the part people most underprepare, and nerves shrink your Italian. Regular spoken practice is the fix — see how to pass the CILS B1 oral.
How the day flows
You'll do the written sections — listening, reading + grammar, and writing — together, roughly two hours with a short break, then sit the oral the same day. Everything happens in one sitting; there's no splitting the exam across dates.
Remember the scoring. Each section is out of 12 (48 total). You need at least 7/12 in every section and 28/48 overall — fail one section and you re-sit the whole exam. That's why a balanced, format-specific prep matters. Full detail in CILS B1 scoring and pass mark.
Frequently asked questions
What's on the CILS B1 exam?
Four sections: listening, reading combined with grammar, writing, and speaking. The written part runs roughly two hours plus a short break; the oral is about ten minutes the same day. Each section is scored out of 12, for 48 total.
How many parts does it have?
Four — listening (ascolto), reading + grammar, written production, and oral production — all in a single sitting, and you must pass each one.
How long is the exam?
The written sections together run roughly two hours plus a short break, and the speaking section is about ten minutes the same day. Exact timings can vary, so confirm with the official exam board.
Is the listening audio played more than once?
Yes, twice. But it plays at natural speed, which is why listening is one of the sections English speakers most often underestimate.
Know the format? Now practise it.
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