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Engineering & Tech 12 min read•August 20, 2026

TOLC-I 2026 Guide: Engineering Dates & Cutoffs

Master guide to TOLC-I for Computer Science, Mechanical, Civil, and Biomedical Engineering in Italian public universities vs Politecnico di Torino (TIL-I). Exam dates, seat quotas, and section scoring.

Key Takeaways
Who Needs TOLC-I: Required for Engineering (Computer Science, Biomedical, Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace) at UNIBO, Sapienza, Milan PoliMi, Padua, and Pisa.
PoliTo Distinction: Politecnico di Torino uses its own proprietary TIL-I exam, whereas most other public Italian universities accept CISIA's TOLC-I.
Exam Structure: 50 questions (20 Math, 10 Logic, 10 Science, 10 Reading) in 110 minutes + 30 English questions in 15 minutes (Total: 80 Qs / 125 Mins).
Scoring Rules: +1.0 for correct, 0 for blank, −0.25 penalty for wrong choices.

Engineering programs in Italy are among the most competitive choices for international students. Here is the official breakdown of seat quotas, exam dates, and cutoffs.

TOLC-I Engineering Roadmap & University Comparison 2026
TOLC-I Engineering Roadmap & University Comparison 2026

TOLC-I Engineering Seat Quotas (2026/2027 Comparison)

UniversityProgramEU SeatsNon-EU SeatsHistorical Min. Cutoff
University of Bologna (UNIBO)Computer Engineering12045~29.50 / 50.0
Sapienza University of RomeSustainable Building / ACS10035~24.00 / 50.0
University of Padua (UNIPD)Information Engineering11040~28.00 / 50.0
University of Pisa (UNIPI)Mechanical Engineering9030~25.50 / 50.0
Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo)Engineering (via TIL-I)400+150+~60.00 / 100.0 (TIL-I Scale)

TOLC-I Section Breakdown & Time Limits

SectionQuestionsTime AllottedKey Topics Covered
Mathematics20 questions50 minutesTrigonometry, logarithms, analytic geometry, calculus fundamentals
Logic10 questions20 minutesLogical deductions, set theory, verbal logic
Science (Phys & Chem)10 questions20 minutesKinematics, forces, work/energy, atomic structure, reactions
Reading Comprehension10 questions20 minutesScientific passages, main conclusions, contextual vocabulary
English Section30 questions15 minutesGrammar & reading comprehension

How to Prepare for TOLC-I

* Master High-Yield Math: Math carries 20 marks out of 50. Focus on functions, domain, trigonometry, and logarithms.
* Practice Timed Drills: Practice full-length timed mock exams on Weprepuni TOLC-I Track.

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