The CISIA TOLC Online Test

What is the TOLC?

The CISIA Online Test (TOLC) is an orientation tool used to assess your initial abilities. 

This individual test, different for each participant, comprises questions that are selected automatically, at random, from the CISIA TOLC database by software developed and administered by CISIA - Consorzio Interuniversitario Sistemi Integrati per l'Accesso (Consortium of Inter-University Integrated Access Systems).

For the degree programmes of the University of Bologna can be requested one of the following TOLC that differ in terms of the number, nature and time available:

• TOLC-I: 50 questions (20 on mathematics,10 on logic, 10 on science, 10 on verbal comprehension) with a duration of 1 hour 50 minutes; 
• TOLC-E: 36 questions (13 on logic, 10 on the comprehension of text, 13 on mathematics) with a duration of 1 hour 30 minutes; 
• TOLC-F: 50 questions (15 on biology, 15 on chemistry, 7 on mathematics, 7 on physics, 6 on logic) with a duration of 1 hour 12 minutes;
• TOLC-SU: 50 questions (30 on reading comprehension and knowledge of Italian, 10 on knowledge acquired through secondary education, and 10 on logical reasoning) with a duration of 1 hour 40 minutes;
• TOLC-PSI: 50 questions (10 on reading comprehension, 10 on basic mathematics, 10 on verbal reasoning, 10 numerical reasoning, 10 on biology) with a duration of 1 hour 40 minutes;

A TOLC-I, TOLC-E and TOLC-F in English (English TOLC) may be required for access to some degree programmes. Consult the call for applications of the degree programme you are interested in to check the type of TOLC required.

Which TOLC tests are suitable for enrolling at the University of Bologna

The following rules are applicable for 2024/25 academic year:

For restricted access degree programmes, the following tests are valid:

• TOLC tests held in person (TOLC@UNI) during 2023
• TOLC tests held in person (TOLC@UNI) during 2024
• TOLC@home tests held during 2023
• TOLC@home tests held during 2024 only for the "contingente" non-EU students with residency abroad (find out which "contingente" you belong to)

For open access degree programmes, the following tests are valid:

• TOLC tests held in-person (TOLC@UNI) or TOLC@home tests during 2023
• TOLC tests held in-person (TOLC@UNI) or TOLC@hometests during 2024

TOLC tests venues

You can take the TOLC test at any university, regardless of your intended enrollment institution Find dates and venues where to take the TOLC test on the CISIA website

TOLC tests can be taken only in person at all University of Bologna campuses (including Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, and Rimini).

Register

To take the TOLC test, it is necessary to register in advance, following the deadlines specified by CISIA Enrolment takes place online on the CISIA website. The payment of €30 is required.

Check the CISIA website:

• Dates and venues available for registration
• Deadline for registration
• Places available.

What to do after sitting the TOLC

You can access all the information required to participate in the selection and enrolment process by visiting the website of the degree programme you are interested in. Be sure to carefully review the call for application and information about the degree programme you are interested in and verify the deadlines for both application and enrolment.

Generally, only the result from the most recent TOLC taken by the deadline and following the procedures mentioned in the notice is considered valid. Sometimes, degree programmes may consider the best TOLC result rather than the last one. Always check the call for application for details.

The calls for applications for restricted access degree programmes specify the minimum score required in order to register for selection, and that below which you can still enrol, if allocated a place, but with Additional Learning Requirements.

The selection procedures do not foresee further tests or exams and the ranked list of successful candidates is based on the TOLC scores, as weighted in accordance with the criteria specified in the call for applications.

As for open-access degree programmes, after taking the TOLC you can enrol in the degree programme of your choice. If your TOLC score is lower than the minimum requirement you will be assigned Additional Learning Requirements.

Information for students with special needs or learning disabilities

If you are a student with special needs or learning disabilities, and want to request adaptations to be made for the TOLC test, you must select this option when registering to the TOLC section of the CISIA website.