A comprehensive guide to the English TOLC-E exam

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Introduction

The English TOLC-E exam organized by CISIA is widely used by Italian universities as an admittance requirement for economics-related degree programs. The English TOLC-E is offered for non-EU applicants.

If you plan to enroll for a bachelor’s degree (level 1 program) in one of the following universities then it’s likely that you will need to take the English TOLC-E test.

Universities accepting English TOLC-E

  • UER – European University of Rome
  • University of Siena
  • Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna
  • Sapienza – University of Rome
  • Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
  • University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”
  • University of Cassino and Southern Lazio
  • University of Florence
  • University of Messina
  • University of Milan
  • University of Trento
  • University of Trieste
  • University of Pisa
  • University of Macerata
  • University of Turin

Popular degree programs taught in English

Some of the in-demand degree programs among non-EU students include:

  • Economics and Business – Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
  • Digital Management – Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
  • Economics, politics and social sciences (EPOS) – University of Bologna
  • International relations and diplomatic affairs – University of Bologna
  • International Politics, Law and Economics (IPLE) – University of Milan

In this blog post, I hope to break down everything you need to know about the TOLC-E exam and answer some popular questions.

TOLC-E Exam Structure

The main objective of the TOLC-E Exam is to test your linguistic, logical reasoning, and mathematics skills. There are three sections Reading comprehension, Logic, and Math. The exam duration is 90 minutes, with each section allocated 30 minutes.

The test consists of 36 multiple-choice questions in total, with 13 questions each for Logic and Math, and 10 reading comprehension questions. The skills tested for reading comprehension and logic aren’t explicitly defined because it is more of an aptitude test. The math section has a well-defined topic set, which I’ll break down next.

Breakdown of Math Section

Below is a list of the topics you should expect in the TOLC-E math section along with the priorities.

  • Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities – 30-35%
    • Linear and Quadratic Equations and Inequalities
    • Factorization and Operations on polynomials
    • Systems of linear equations
  • Numbers – 20-25%
    • Percentages
    • Ratios
    • Properties of rational, integers, fractions, and decimal numbers
  • Space and Figures – 20-25%
    • Geometry of simple shapes
    • Graphs of basic functions
    • Cartesian coordinates
  • Exponentials and Logarithms – 15-20%
  • Relations and functions – 5-10%
    • Absolute functions
    • Domain
    • Function notation

Now that we have looked at the domain of the tolc-e exam, let’s find out how the scores are given.

Grading System

For the English TOLC-E test you need to be aware of the negative marking policy. The points system can be summarized as follows:

1 point for each correct answer

0 points for each answer not provided

0.25 penalty points for each incorrect answer.

Following is a sample score report after completing the TOLC-E exam.

detailed report
detailed report of a TOLC-E exam

What is a good score?

Cisia does not assign a specific pass mark; instead, universities have the authority to interpret TOLC-E results independently. Many degree programs implement their internal scoring system, including coefficients to evaluate individual section scores and establish their passing threshold (usually dictated by the demand for seats).

To access the assessment criteria and past cut-off scores for your chosen degree program, visit the official website of the university. Following is a snippet of the Spring selection ranking for the academic year 2023/2024 for the Digital Management degree program at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.

student ranking for digital management course
student rankings with tolc-e scores

Resources

One of the major drawbacks when preparing for the tolc-e is the scarcity of official resources in English. Apart from the sample test available on the Cisia website, here are 3 resources that can help you prepare for the English TOLC-E.

  • SAT practice papers and resources – The SAT exam offered by CollegeBoard tests skills that align closely with the English TOLC-E.
  • On the official CISIA website, you can get 1 sample English TOLC-E test and two simulations of the exam. These materials will help you assess your level and understand the areas you must improve to reach your target score.
  • Get one-to-one personalized tolc-e exam training from Cloud LearnX. Our Expert tutors can help you ace the math section at affordable hourly rates.

FAQ

Does the TOLC-E exam allow calculators?

Calculators and other tools or aids are not allowed in the TOLC-E exam unless granted by the location.

Can I retake the exam?

Yes, there are no limitations to the number of attempts in the TOLC-E exam. You will have to pay the registration fee (€30 as of 2023) for every retake. But you can retake the English TOLC-E no more than once per month (calendar month) regardless of the organizing university location selected.

What are the prerequisites for taking the TOLC-E?

Students starting from their penultimate year of high school or anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent can take the TOLC-E test.

Can I take the tolc-e from home?

Yes, you can use the TOLC@CASA facility to take the exam from home. Refer to the Regulations for TOLC@CASA on the official cisia website to assess if you can meet the hardware and software requirements.

When will I get the results?

You will see your score immediately after you complete the test. But if you took the TOLC@CASA, then your score will be recognized as official and made available only as of 7 p.m. after 48 hours from the end of the TOLC@CASA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the English TOLC-E exam is a crucial step towards securing your place in top Italian universities, especially for economics-related programs. Understanding its structure, scoring, and resources is essential.

To ensure your success, consider exploring one-to-one personalized TOLC-E exam prep sessions with expert tutors on Cloud LearnX. With expert guidance and dedicated practice, you can confidently tackle the math section and achieve your academic goals.

TOLC-E Math Training

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8 responses to “A comprehensive guide to the English TOLC-E exam”

  1. Kaavya avatar
    Kaavya

    Need details of TOLC-E Math training.

    1. cloudlearnx.win avatar

      Hi Kaavya,
      If you are looking for math tutoring sessions targeting TOLC-E, please reaching out on Whatsapp +94756666400

  2. Muhammad Qasim Iqbal avatar
    Muhammad Qasim Iqbal

    Hello i want to prepare for tolc e what’s ths fee and duration

    1. cloudlearnx.win avatar

      Hi Iqbal,
      Thank you for reaching out.
      Our fast track program is designed to cover the 7 main topics in 7 sessions (1-hour sessions each). This is for candidates who have an average understanding of math, and looking to achieve a high score in the math section. But for candidates who are under average, they will require more personalized sessions. You can reach out to us on Whatsapp +94756666400 for the exact fees.

  3. Hassan avatar
    Hassan

    Hello
    I have get conditional admition in campania university. To convert my admision into uncondition, they required me to pass the tolc e exam. I have no idea how to pass exam. Tell me how to prepare the exam. My tolc e exam will conduct on 11 july. I want to pass my exam in first attempt. Please help me.

    1. cloudlearnx.win avatar

      Hi Hassan,
      congrats on the conditional admission. I can definitely help you jump that hurdle and get admitted to Campania university. I would first urge you to try the sample test available on the official Cisia website for English TOLC-E. If you feel like you need help with the math section of the TOLC-E, you can either use the materials available on the website (the 7 model paper bundle) or reach on whatsapp +94756666400 to get some sessions to prepare for the exam and achieve a passing score.

  4. mnvir avatar

    how i can prepare tolc e exam for better score??….what material i can use???????????????

    1. cloudlearnx.win avatar

      Hi, we offer live sessions and also 7 model papers that can be purchased. Please consult us if you are not sure what your requirements our, we can help you decide on what would work best to achieve an excellent score based on the time you have for prep and your current math competency.

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