Students of an Italian-Language Laurea (equivalent to Bachelor of Science) Study Programme

Test of English (TENG)

The Politecnico di Milano assesses its students’ knowledge of the English language through the TENG Test of English consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions. 

OFA additional educational obligations for English are allocated to students who do not answer at least 24 questions correctly (see the OFA page for more information on how to discharge OFA obligations for English and on the limitations they impose).  

The TENG test is delivered in the following ways:

  • Architecture students: they take the TENG immediately after the ARCHED admission test, even if they already have a language certificate; the TENG score does not contribute to the calculation of the final score on which the admission rankings are based.
  • Design students: they sit the TENG at the same sitting as the TOLD admission test.
  • Engineering students: they sit the TENG at the same sitting as the Test on Line (TOL) admission test.
  • Urban Planning students: the admission test does not include an English language test. The TENG test is delivered immediately after enrolment, towards the end of October.  

Students who do not reach the minimum TENG score (24/30) will be allocated OFA obligations for English, to be discharged by submitting a certification or by sitting a test at an external institute (see below).  

Certifications required

Students who have not passed or sat the TENG test may discharge their OFA obligations for English by submitting to the Registrar’s Office one of the following certifications, provided they have obtained at least the minimum level indicated below:

Test/certificationScore requested
ETS – TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)Paper based (total score) ≥ 450
Computer based (total score) ≥ 133
Internet based (total score) ≥ 45
ETS – TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)≥ 450
TOEIC Bridge≥ 170
Redesigned TOEIC Bridge≥ 84/100
easySPEAKing test≥ 50
CAMBRIDGE≥ PET
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) ≥ 4
TRINITY COLLEGE≥ ISE 1
BRITISH INSTITUTESENGLISH DIPLOMA THRESHOLD / Advanced Language Proficiency B1
ENGLISH DIPLOMA STRONG THRESHOLD / Advanced Language Proficiency B1 plus

Students who have taken the test at an institute that sends the result to the Politecnico di Milano electronically do not need to submit an original copy of the certificate.  

Submitting international English certifications of a higher level than those indicated in the table allows the student to discharge his or her OFA obligations for English. International certifications are accepted regardless of the year of achievement. 

Test sat at an external institute

As an alternative to international certifications to discharge OFA obligations for English, it is possible to sit special tests at institutes outside the Politecnico. These tests, reserved for Politecnico students, do not entitle students to a certification, but only allow them to discharge their OFA obligations for English.

Academic Year 2022/2023