Italy has recently combined all of its English-language university entry exams into one test called the CEnT-S. If you’re a Pakistani student who wants to apply for English-taught bachelor’s degrees in Italy in 2026, you need to know what the CEnT-S Entrance test of Italian Universities For Pakistani students is. 

This blog talks about the test, who requires it, how it works, how to sign up and when to do it, how Pakistani applicants should be ready, how institutions use scores, what the visa and administrative ramifications are and why it can be helpful to hire a professional visa adviser. 

What is the CEnT-S Entrance Test of Italian Universities 2026?

CISIA (Consorzio Interuniversitario Sistemi Integrati) created and runs the CEnT-S Entrance test of Italian Universities 2026, which is sometimes just called CEnT-S. CEnT-S took the place of the old English TOLC tests in November 2025. It is now the required or accepted test for many English-taught bachelor’s programs, especially in fields like Engineering, Economics, Pharmacy and other scientific fields. All universities in Italy, including public and private, have said they will accept CEnT-S scores for the admissions cycle of 2026–2027.

Who needs to take the CEnT-S Entrance test of Italian Universities For Pakistani students 2026?

If you are a Pakistani (not from the EU) applying to an English-taught bachelor’s degree in Italy that clearly states that the CEnT-S is one of its entrance requirements, you must take the test and send in your score with your application. Different universities have different rules. Some require CEnT-S for all candidates to certain programs, while others allow it as one of several available examinations. A few may still have program-specific or local preselection tests. 

Always look at the university’s website for the admission notice for the specific degree program you want to apply to. Several public colleges, such as Ca’ Foscari, the University of Padova and others, have already put up pages saying that they will accept CEnT-S scores for admissions in 2026.

Test Structure and Content — what to Expect on Exam Day

The CEnT-S is a single test with 55 multiple-choice questions that are grouped into five subject areas. It is meant to test basic scientific knowledge and analytical skills that are important for degrees in STEM and economics. Here are the sections, number of questions and time limits:

  • Math: 15 questions in 30 minutes
  • Reasoning on texts and data: 15 questions—30 minutes
  • Biology: 20 minutes for 10 questions
  • Chemistry: 20 minutes and 10 questions
  • Physics: 10 minutes for 5 questions

There are 55 questions in total and they will take 110 minutes. It’s a multiple-choice test and some of the questions evaluate your ability to solve problems and understand data instead of just memorising facts. This one format takes the place of several older English-TOLC tests to make the admissions process more consistent across colleges.

Registration, Test Dates and CEnT-S Entrance Test of Italian Universities 2026 Deadline

  • Registration: You need to sign up through the CISIA portal (or the university’s preferred booking gateway) and pay any exam fees. For each test session, there are windows of time when you can register.
  • Dates: CISIA and its partner universities started offering classes in November 2025. For 2026 candidates, there will be several classes in late 2025 and the first half of 2026. Most of the time, universities list the exact dates they accept.
  • Deadlines: The most important deadline is the university program’s admission notice deadline. This is the last day that the university will accept applications and/or CEnT-S scores for a certain intake. Some colleges and institutions require you to take the test before you apply, while others let you take it by a certain deadline. Always utilise the deadline for your program as a guide. If you’re not sure, look at the admissions page for the degree program you want to enter.

How Pakistani Applicants Should Plan the Timeline

  • Look at the program pages now: Check the admission notification for each program you want to apply to. It should have the dates, required examinations, and language requirements. Pakistani applicants need to check if the course requires proof of Italian language skills or if English is all they need.
  • Book and sit the CEnT-S early: Try to take the test in a session that lets your score be processed before the university’s deadlines. Ideally, this should be several weeks before the deadlines so you have time to retake it if you need to.
  • Proof of language skills and transcripts: If your program additionally requires proof of Italian language skills (which is rare for English-taught programs but feasible for mixed curricula), get B2 or higher certification if needed. Before you may enroll, certain universities need you to get Italian certification.
  • Fill out the visa paperwork at the same time: Getting accepted is just the first step. As soon as you have conditional admission, start gathering the documents you need for the student visa, such as your acceptance letter, evidence of enrollment, proof of money, proof of lodging and a police record.

Preparing for CEnT-S — study strategy and resources

  • Focus of the syllabus: Focus on math, physics, chemistry, fundamental biology, and data/reasoning abilities at the high school level. The reasoning on texts and data part examines your ability to understand and interpret short passages and graphs.
  • Practice tests: Use CISIA sample questions (when available) and past TOLC practice examinations to become acquainted with the types and kinds of questions. A number of Italy-study consultancies and educational platforms have begun to provide CEnT-S-focused manuals and practice tests.
  • Time management: You have roughly two minutes to answer each question, so practice doing parts with a timer.
  • Targeted tutoring: If you need help with a certain subject, like mathematics or chemistry, short, focused lessons can help you earn better grades.

How universities use CEnT-S results

Colleges and universities utilise CEnT-S results in different ways. Some use them as a pass/fail filter for admissions, some use them to rank applicants for programs with limited seats and others use them as part of a composite admissions score that includes your high school grades and other criteria. Some programs list minimum scores, while others employ percentile rankings and topic sub-scores. To find out if a certain minimum score is required or if they rank by score, look at the admission rules for the degree you’re interested in.

Visa, Enrollment and Administrative Steps for Pakistani Students

Pakistani students must do the following after getting an offer (conditional or unconditional) based on their CEnT-S result:

  • Get the formal letter of admission or enrollment from the university. You will need this for your visa application.
  • Apply for the student visa: Go to the Italian Embassy or Consulate in Pakistan or the visa application facility that has been set up for this purpose to apply for the student visa. An enrollment letter, proof of lodging, evidence of enough money, health insurance and a valid passport are all common documents that are needed. Processing times are different, so start early.
  • Get a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno): If you plan to stay in Italy for a long time, you must get a residency permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) when you arrive. This process is generally guided by universities for new overseas students.
  • Complete matriculation and orientation: Pay your tuition (or first instalment), finish your registration and go to orientation and welcoming sessions. Some colleges provide remedial courses (OFA) if entrance exams show that students are missing some skills.

Importance of a Visa Consultant 

For a lot of Pakistani applicants, the process of getting into an Italian university and getting a visa is new. A knowledgeable immigration consultant or education counsellor can:

  • Read university admission letters and check to see if the CEnT-S Entrance test of Italian Universities For Pakistanis 2026 is required for a certain program.
  • Help book CEnT-S slots, get the paperwork ready, and suggest dates that work.
  • Help with translating and notarising academic papers, proof of funds plans and sending them to the Italian consulate.
  • Help in finding scholarships, places to stay and orientation before leaving.
  • A skilled visa consultant in Pakistan like WSL Consultants won’t ensure visas, but they can help you avoid mistakes that could cost you time and worry, such as missing deadlines and not understanding university requirements.

FAQs

Q: What is the CEnT-S?

A: The CEnT-S is a single English-language admission exam made by CISIA for various bachelor’s programs in Italy that teach in English. It will replace the English TOLC tests starting in November 2025.

Q: Do all Italian colleges and universities need CEnT-S for 2026?

A: No, many accept it for some English-taught programs, but the requirements differ from university to university and program to program. Always review the program entrance announcement.

Q: What is the structure of the CEnT-S?

A: 55 multiple-choice questions in math, reasoning on texts and data, biology, chemistry and physics; the test takes 110 minutes in total.

Conclusion

The CEnT-S Entrance test of Italian Universities 2026 For Pakistani students is a key part of the admissions process for Pakistani students who want to get an English-taught bachelor’s degree in Italy in 2026. The unified CEnT-S makes the prerequisites for admission to many programs easier and more consistent, but it also needs early planning: verifying the admission notification for each program, booking the test in time, getting ready for the five topic sections, and getting your visa and enrollment papers in order.