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Dipartimento di Lingue e Letterature Straniere e Culture Moderne
LETTORATI EXAMS HAVE A VALIDITY OF 3 YEARS
(an exam taken in January/May/September 2026 is valid until 31/12/2028)
The exam will consist exclusively of two written parts and an oral.
The first paper is a computer-based Use of English test, consisting of 80 questions (55 grammar and 25 vocabulary). The test will carry 10 points valid for the exam total and students will have to obtain a minimum of 6 points (48 correct answers) to pass to the second paper. This part of the exam will last 60 minutes.
The second part of the exam is a dictation, which lasts approximately 30 minutes and carries a maximum of 10 points.
In order to proceed to the oral, students must have a minimum of 12 points.
The Lettorato exam can be taken in May, September and January.
The oral will be based on the material contained in the set text and will carry 10 points valid for the final result.
The components of the written exam are:
“Use of English” (10 points) consisting of 80 questions in multiple-choice format that will check the students’ knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary dealt with in the set books and during the courses.
N.B. Students must achieve 60 per cent (6 points) on this paper in order to take the dictation.
Use of English practice is available at the following Moodle page:
https://elearning.unito.it/lingue/course/index.php?categoryid=169
a dictation (10 points) which will be read three times. The first time it will be read without pauses (the students should just listen). The second time it will be dictated with punctuation; after 2 minutes there will be a third and final reading with short pauses at the end of each sentence. A further 2 minutes will be given before handing in the dictation. Dictation practice is available at the following Moodle page:
https://elearning.unito.it/lingue/course/index.php?categoryid=169
The oral exam will consist of a brief interview in which the student will be expected to answer general questions and talk and answer questions about one of the passages from the set text.
Students who have not attended should become familiar with the set books and the past exam papers (Use of English and Dictations) available on Moodle and request an appointment with the coordinator of the 1st year lettorati –
Chris Owen, office hours: TUESDAYS 15.00 - 17.00 (“Aldo Moro” – 1L)
Sample exams with keys are also available from the menu above
Chris Owen September 2025
Holding a mark over
Holding a mark over
Students may now keep a pass mark from the first two parts of the exam (Use of English and Dictation) if they fail the overall exam. All three parts must be taken together in the same initial session before the decision to keep the parts 1 and 2 result is made.
A pass mark of 12/20 or higher for 1st year Use of English and Dictation can be held over for the two subsequent sessions if the student fails to reach 18/30 after sitting the Oral - students will only be required to sit the 1st Year Oral in a subsequent exam session.
Students must request their mark to be held over. When the final results are posted on lettorati-english.unito.it there will be a link to a form where students can opt to keep their Parts 1 and 2 result valid for the next two exam sessions.
Students will have 5 days in which to communicate their decision via this form - do not email teachers.
Students who are not satisfied with an overall pass mark (minimum 18/30) should "refuse" this final mark in the usual way by emailing the co-ordinator within 5 days of the results being posted and repeat the entire exam in a subsequent session.
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