Not every English-taught degree in Italy tests mathematics and science. For some humanities and social science degrees, the call asks for CISIA's English TEST HUMANITIES, usually shortened to English TEST HUM. It is a reading and reasoning test with no subject knowledge to learn. Fewer programs use it than the CEnT-S, so first check whether your program asks for it at all.
Which cycle this covers
The format and dates below are those CISIA published for 2026, used for 2026/27 entry.
The format
The test has 30 questions in three sections of 10, with 30 minutes for each section, so 90 minutes in all.
| Section | What it tests |
|---|---|
| Reading and comprehension | English texts at B2 level, from non-fiction, literature and journalism, including what a text implies without saying |
| Clues and inductive reasoning | Drawing general conclusions from details, and spotting assumptions and implications |
| Reasoning on texts and data | Argument and logic, tables and graphs, with elementary mathematics and no calculator |
- Reading and comprehension10 questions, 30 min
- Clues and inductive reasoning10 questions, 30 min
- Reasoning on texts and data10 questions, 30 min
Scoring: 1 point for each correct answer and 0 for a wrong answer or a blank, out of 30. Unlike the CEnT-S and the IMAT, there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a question blank.
Where: from home in a CISIA virtual room (TEST@HOME) or in a university classroom (TEST@UNI). The university you apply to decides which applies.
Who asks for it
In 2026/27 the English TEST HUM appeared in calls such as these:
- Sapienza, Global Humanities: the SAT or the English TEST HUM. A score below 12 out of 30 did not exclude you, but added extra first-year work (OFA).
- Sapienza, Classics: the SAT, or an English TOLC-E or TEST HUM, alongside a minimum school grade average.
- Messina, Political Sciences and International Relations: a pre-evaluation of documents, then the TEST HUM as a check with no ranking, with extra first-year work for a low score.
Not every humanities degree uses it. Milan Statale and Ca' Foscari's joint degree in Ancient Civilizations sets its own admission test. Several other humanities and social science degrees admit on documents, sometimes with an interview. Our guide to admission tests by subject lists them.
Dates
The universities set their own test days with CISIA. In 2026, Milan Statale tested on 10 and 17 April and 5 and 12 June; Sapienza had eleven dates between 17 February and 8 October. Booking runs through the university, so follow the instructions in your program's call. The university's call gives the booking deadline.
How to prepare
- Read demanding English every day, including opinion pieces and literary prose, and ask yourself what each paragraph assumes.
- Practise reading tables and graphs without a calculator.
- Answer every question. With no penalty for wrong answers, a blank is a lost point.
- Keep to 30 minutes a section, three minutes a question including reading time.
Questions applicants ask
No. Both are run by CISIA, but the CEnT-S tests mathematics and sciences for science, engineering and economics degrees, while the English TEST HUM tests reading and reasoning for humanities degrees.
No. A correct answer scores 1 point; a wrong answer or a blank scores 0, out of 30.
It runs both from home (TEST@HOME) and at a university (TEST@UNI); the university you apply to decides which applies.
First check that your program asks for it
Tell us the program, and a mentor will reply in the chat with what its call asks for: the TEST HUM, the SAT or documents alone.
Sources
Rules change every year: always confirm dates in the official call for your year.