Your CEnT-S score starts as a raw score: +1 for each correct answer, −0,25 for each wrong answer and 0 for each blank. CISIA then turns it into a normalised score, which takes into account how hard your questions were. That normalised score is the one universities use, and each university sets its own minimum.
The raw score
The CEnT-S has 65 questions, so the highest raw score is 65.
| Answer | Points |
|---|---|
| Correct | +1 |
| Wrong | −0,25 |
| Blank | 0 |
Example: 40 correct, 10 wrong and 15 blank give 40 − 2,5 = 37,5.
Should you guess?
Each question has 5 options. A blind guess is worth 0 points on average (1/5 × 1 − 4/5 × 0,25 = 0). If you can rule out wrong options, a guess is worth more than a blank on average:
| Options left | Average points per guess |
|---|---|
| 5 (blind guess) | 0 |
| 4 | +0,06 |
| 3 | +0,17 |
| 2 | +0,38 |
So: never guess blindly to "fill" the sheet, but when you can rule out at least one option, guessing pays off on average.
The normalised score
Not every candidate gets the same questions, so CISIA adjusts the scores. For each section, CISIA looks at how all candidates did on the questions you got. A section whose questions were harder for everyone gets a larger correction, which is added to your raw score for that section. Your normalised score is the sum of your sections' normalised scores.
What this means for you: you can't calculate your final score on test day. Your raw score is the best guide, and the normalised score comes later.
When you get your score
- Your raw result is in your CISIA Student Area after the test.
- The normalised score is published at the end of the test period (macro-period) in which you took the test. Check the exact date on cisiaonline.it.
- You can take the CEnT-S once per period.
- After a test taken at a university (CEnT@UNI), you can print a certificate with your score from the Student Area.
What universities ask
CISIA doesn't set a pass mark. Each university decides how it uses the CEnT-S, its minimum score, and whether your best or your latest score counts. These rules are in the university's call for applications (bando).
Example — Politecnico di Milano, Engineering (call for 2026/27):
- The CEnT-S is accepted instead of Polimi's own online test (TOL).
- Polimi converts your CEnT-S result into a score out of 100. The formula is set by Polimi and not published; Polimi's online services have a converter.
- Biology and Chemistry are not counted in the conversion.
- The minimum is 30/100.
- Rankings use your best registered score.
- A converted score of at least 30/100 also meets the English requirement for English-taught programmes.
Always check the current call on polimi.it: the rules and deadlines can change each year.
Politecnico di Torino accepts the CEnT-S for international candidates from 2027/28 (tests taken in person only). Its minimum scores will be in the 2027/28 call for applications on polito.it.
How to raise your score
1. Learn the format, so no time is lost on test day: read our CEnT-S exam structure guide.
2. Practise under real timing, one timer per section.
3. Review every mistake with a step-by-step solution, then fix the topic behind it.
Try 6 sample questions with solutions, or take our free 18-question sample on an exam screen built to look and work like the real test screen.
