Are you learning Italian and wondering what your level really is? Or do you want to know if your Italian is good enough for a certification exam, a job interview or a university course? A level test is the quickest way to find out, and you can take one for free.
👉 Take the free Italian level test
By Rossana Pazzaglia, native Italian teacher with a CEDILS certification in teaching Italian to foreigners (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice) · Updated 19 October 2026
In two minutes
- Six free tests, one for each CEFR level from A1 to C2.
- 34 multiple-choice questions each, about 20 minutes.
- 28 correct answers or more: you have that level, so try the next one.
- The tests check grammar, vocabulary and reading, not speaking or listening.
- An online test gives an indication; only an official exam certifies your level.
Why take an Italian level test?
Knowing your level is not just a matter of curiosity. It is a practical step that makes your learning more effective:
- You get a snapshot of your skills. You see whether you need to work more on grammar, vocabulary or reading comprehension.
- You choose the right materials. Nothing is more frustrating than a book or an app that is too easy or too difficult.
- You prepare for official exams. The test gives you a rough idea of which CEFR level you are at before choosing a certificate such as CILS, CELI or PLIDA, or the fide test in Switzerland. Note that my free test checks grammar, vocabulary and reading only: official exams also assess listening, writing and speaking, so check the format on the official website of the exam you plan to take.
- You measure your progress. Take the test again after a few months of study: it is concrete proof that your work is paying off.
The CEFR levels, from A1 to C2
My tests follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the international standard used by schools, universities and official exams to describe language skills. It has six levels:
- A1 – Beginner: you can introduce yourself and understand simple, everyday expressions.
- A2 – Elementary: you can talk about yourself, your routine and familiar topics.
- B1 – Intermediate: you can manage most everyday situations and tell a story or an experience.
- B2 – Upper intermediate: you can understand complex texts and speak fluently with native speakers.
- C1 – Advanced: you can express yourself spontaneously and precisely, also at work or at university.
- C2 – Proficiency: you understand almost everything you read or hear and express yourself with great precision.
How the free tests work
- There is one test for each level, from A1 to C2.
- Each test has 34 multiple-choice questions: 30 on grammar and vocabulary and 4 on a short reading text.
- With 28 correct answers or more, you have reached that level: try the next one.
- The tests open in Google Forms and take about 20 minutes each.
Not sure where to start? Begin with the level you think you have. If it feels too easy, move up; if it feels too difficult, try the level below.
What the official descriptors say
The short descriptions above are my summary. If you want the precise wording, the Council of Europe publishes a “global scale” that divides learners into three bands: Basic User (A1–A2), Independent User (B1–B2) and Proficient User (C1–C2). These are the key ideas for the middle and upper levels:
| Level | In the words of the CEFR (paraphrased) |
|---|---|
| B1 | You understand the main points of clear, standard speech or text on familiar topics such as work, school and leisure; you deal with most situations while travelling where the language is spoken; you can write simple connected text and describe experiences, dreams and goals. |
| B2 | You understand the main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics; you can interact with native speakers with enough fluency that regular conversation is comfortable for both sides; you can write clear, detailed text and defend a point of view. |
| C1 | You understand demanding, longer texts and implicit meaning; you speak fluently without much searching for words; you use the language flexibly for social, academic and professional purposes. |
| C2 | You understand virtually everything you hear or read; you summarise information from different sources; you express yourself spontaneously with great fluency and precision, even in complex situations. |
How to read your result
A score is not a verdict. Here is how I suggest interpreting it:
- 28 or more correct answers on a test: you have that level in grammar, vocabulary and reading. Try the next test, and do not stop at the first level you pass.
- Between 20 and 27: you are close. Look at the questions you got wrong and ask yourself whether they have something in common (verb tenses? prepositions? vocabulary?). This pattern is more important than the number.
- Fewer than 20: the test is probably too difficult for now. Take the level below and come back later.
The 28-out-of-34 threshold is the rule I use in my own tests. The bands between 20 and 27 and below 20 are my practical suggestions, not official thresholds.
What an online test cannot measure
The CEFR describes language ability through the four skills: understanding what you hear, understanding what you read, speaking and writing. My free tests check mainly grammar, vocabulary and reading. This means that you may have a grammar level of B1 and, at the same time, a speaking level of A2, or the opposite. Many adults who live in Italy or who speak with Italian colleagues have a good level of conversation but make many writing mistakes. A multiple-choice test will not show these differences. If you have to certify your level, choose an official exam, and read the exam format on its official website. For example, CILS is issued by the Università per Stranieri di Siena, CELI by the Università per Stranieri di Perugia and PLIDA by the Società Dante Alighieri; in Switzerland, the fide test is the language test linked to integration procedures. Each has its own format and calendar.
Five tips for taking a self-test
- Do not use a dictionary or a translator. You want a true picture of your level today.
- Do not guess at random. If you do not know an answer, choose the option that sounds natural to you and move on. Guessing too much gives a result that is too high.
- Choose a quiet moment. The test takes about 20 minutes; do it when you are not tired.
- Take your time with the reading text. If you have dyslexia or you read slowly, do not worry: read the questions first, then the text.
- Write down the topics you got wrong and review them before the next test.
And after the test?
A test tells you where you are; the next step is a plan to reach your goal. Book a free 30-minute trial lesson: we will look at your results together and talk about your goals. If you are preparing for an official exam, my courses for CILS, CELI, PLIDA and fide are not online yet, but the waiting list is open.
Curious to see where you stand? Pick a test and give it twenty minutes.
Please note: an online test gives an indication, not an official certification of your level.
Sources
- Council of Europe – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (accessed 6 October 2026)
- Council of Europe – Global scale, Table 1 (CEFR 3.3): Common Reference levels (accessed 16 October 2026)
- Università per Stranieri di Siena – CILS certification centre (accessed 19 October 2026)
- Università per Stranieri di Perugia – CVCL, CELI certification centre (accessed 19 October 2026)
- Società Dante Alighieri – PLIDA certification (accessed 19 October 2026)
- fide – language test for Switzerland (official website) (accessed 19 October 2026)
The test structure and the advice in this article come from my experience teaching Italian as a second language.
📚 After the test: work on your weak points
Once you know which topics you got wrong, the fastest way to improve is targeted practice with an answer key, so you can correct yourself. For grammar, I recommend:
- Italian Grammar in Practice (Susanna Nocchi, Alma Edizioni) – rules explained in English, with exercises, tests and games.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Italian All-in-One (Marcel Danesi, McGraw Hill) – grammar and vocabulary in one workbook, with plenty of exercises.
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💡 Want to learn Italian with a complete path?
I am preparing a series of Italian courses from A1 to C2, with clear lessons, exercises and a step-by-step method. 👉 Join the waiting list and you will be among the first to know when they open.
