How does the test work?

What does the entrance test involve

The candidate will carry out the tests with the assistance of teachers and the Admissions Office. The candidates will take some short breaks and will be busy for approximately an hour and a half. Candidates will be required to take tests relating to three areas: logical-mathematics, Italian linguistics, English linguistics.

• Logical-mathematical area: the test will verify calculation skills, with integers, decimals, fractions, recognition of geometric figures, their perimeter with problem resolutions;
• Italian linguistic area: the test will verify spelling skills, grammatical analysis and the basics of logical analysis and text comprehension;
• English language area: skills in the four areas (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) will be assessed.

At the link: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/LanguageSelfAssessmentGrid/en you can find a skills self-assessment grid.

The level of English required

The list below describes the criteria in a combined manner.

Cambridge sections (9 hours in English):

• Non binding tests relating to the Italian and English logical-mathematical and linguistic areas.
• In the event of insufficient test results, a recovery programme will be recommended to be paid by the family and agree upon during the interview.

Intercultural sections:

• The level to be considered achieved is at least A2 according to the parameters provided by the Council of Europe.

The grading system

Each area of the test has a maximum score of 100/100. Admission is subject not only to the evaluation of the school curriculum, but also to the results of the tests. And in particular:

• Italian linguistic area: the outcome will not determine admission. In the event of a score that is not fully sufficient, the Admission Office will evaluate a possible personal recovery program to follow before the start of the middle school;
• Logical-mathematical area: as for Italian, even in mathematics, the result will not decide the admission. In the event of a score that is not fully sufficient, the Admission Office will evaluate a possible personal recovery program to propose to the candidate;
• English linguistic area: given the international vocation of the Collegio, the results of the tests in the English are specific. In particular, it will define the entry position in the Cambridge sections. If necessary, linguistic enhancement will be requested before the start of school (to be agreed with the teachers of the College or with the Admission Office). For the intercultural sections the following minimum requirements are requested (even in the case of positive results in Italian and mathematics):
• Written English 70/100
• Oral English 80/100.

The psycho-aptitude tests and the Personal statement

During the morning test, the candidate is also administered a battery of psycho-aptitude tests. These tests aim to gather information on the interests, skills, potential and aptitudes of each individual candidate. This profile will be useful, in the event of a positive acceptance of the admission application, when forming class groups.

The candidate is also required to personally draft a PS in PDF format written on the computer (or short manuals with scanned PDF) in which the student describes the previous course of study, the extra-curricular activities, the certifications in the linguistic and sporting fields, the reasons why he applied to Collegio San Carlo, the expectations for the new school, hobbies and interests that facilitate the overall knowledge of personality and character.

After the test

How are the results communicated?

Within 10 days of the test the Admission Office and the Principal of the chosen school, will comunicate through an online meeting set by the Collegio the outcome of the admission process to the student and his parents. The tests carried out will be visible during the interview and cannot be duplicated or forwarded to the family. No telephone information will be given.

You will be informed of the possibility of enrolling in the Cambridge section or in the Intercultural section of the Collegio. Candidates who have received an insufficient assessment in the English language area will be able to repeat the test only once approximately 30 days after the first test.

What can be done if you fail the tests?

Candidates who have received an insufficient assessment in one or more disciplines will be able to repeat each individual test only once at a time interval to be agreed with the Admission Office with which the learning objectives will be agreed.

It is also possible to enroll in the standard sections if during the test phase an adequate score for the intercultural sections in English was not achieved, without prejudice to the different evaluations that emerged during the restorative interview.