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.
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.
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.
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