Admission test (TIL - Test In Laib)

Academic year 2026/27

All Engineering Bachelor’s degree programmes are capped to a predefined number of student places. Offers of admission will be made to the applicants who get the highest scores in the TIL test until all places are full.

The TIL test is compulsory for all Engineering Bachelor’s degree programmes. It is an individual test which is different for each applicant. It is made up of automatically and randomly selected computer interface questions. All tests have an equivalent level of difficulty.

All students will take the admission test (TIL test) for academic year 2026/27 in person.

TIL-I test format and scoring 

Applicants have 1 hour and a half to answer 42 questions. Questions are divided in 4 sections covering 4 different disciplines. The number of questions and the time limits are organized as follows:  

• 16 Mathematics questions - 36 minutes 
• 10 Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning questions - 20 minutes 
• 10 Physics questions - 22 minutes
• 6  Basic technical knowledge questions – 12 minutes

Each question has 5 possible answers (marked with letters A,B,C,D,E), only one of which is correct.   

The score is based on the following criteria: 

• 1 point for each correct answer 
• A penalty of 0,25 points (-0,25) for each incorrect answer 
• 0 points for each unanswered question 

At the end of the test, applicants will be able to see their score on the screen. Moreover, the test result will be available in the applicant personal page of the Apply@polito platform.

Knowledge required for the admission test

Below you can find the macro topics of the TIL-I test.  All details are available in the Quick Guides published on your personal page of the Apply@polito platform.

Mathematics

• Natural, relative, rational numbers; simple problems solved with elementary methods
• Real numbers, radicals and calculus with exponents and radicals
• Basics of statistics and probability  
• Euclidean plane geometry and basic concepts of spatial geometry; areas and volumes of elementary figures
• Monomial and polynomial algebra
• Analytical geometry. Exponentials and logarithms and their properties (operations, base change)
• Goniometry and trigonometry
• Elementary graphs: polynomial functions of first and second degree, absolute value, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions. Description and identification of simple subsets of the plane delimited by elementary graphs.
• Algebraic, irrational and absolute value equations and inequalities
• Exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric equations and inequalities

Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning

In this section, two excerpts from various texts are presented (in general, these will be scientific, popular, historical, sociological texts).  Each of the two excerpts is followed by three questions, the answers to which must be deduced exclusively from the content of the excerpt, thus identifying the only correct answer from the five answers proposed; the correct answer must be deduced exclusively from the content of the excerpt presented and not on the basis of the knowledge possessed by the candidate.

There will also be five Logics questions that do not require any particular prerequisites, but an inclination for abstract logical-deductive reasoning. Possible topics will include:

• orders
• use of quantifiers
• logical deductions
• elementary logic problems
• negation of statements.

Physics

• Vectors
• Units of Measurement
• Kinematics in one and two dimensions
• Forces and point dynamics
• Work-energy
• Calorimetry
• Thermodynamics
• Electrostatics
• Electrical circuits

Basic technical knowledge

In this section there are 3 questions on Representation and 3 questions on Computer Science  

Knowledge required for the Representation questions:

As far as representation is concerned, the TIL is intended to verify the ability to relate the spatiality of objects to their representation (two- and three-dimensional) and to verify minimum requirements for knowledge of the coding of graphic-technical languages.  

Knowledge required for the Computer Science questions:

The questions are intended to test the preparation and inclination towards understanding and using information technology.

Possible topics include, once again, in terms of basic knowledge:  

• snap!
• concept of programme
• concept of variable
• assignments
• testing vs assignment
• arithmetical operations
• example of programming language (C, Python)
• programme size in lines of code
• completed/interpreted general programme template
• multithread
• cycles
• operators
• logical operators
• if then else
• for, while, repeat until
• exact arithmetic calculation
• bit/byte/transistor
• De Morgan’s theorem (outline)
• multiple desktops
• virtual machines, the example of Virtual Box
• operating systems
• browsers
• IP addresses (introduction)
• ssh
• firewall
• background processes
• web server
• software licences 
• use of the debugger 
• introduction to recursion
• introduction to analogue and digital data acquisition and processing

On your personal page of the Apply@polito paltform you have the opportunity to practise with a dedicated TIL-I simulation test; you can download other training materials to consolidate your knowledge.

Academic year 2026/27

The Bachelor's degree programme in Design and Communication is capped to a predefined number of student places. Offers of admission will be made to the applicants who get the best scores in the TIL test until all places are full. 

The TIL test is compulsory for the Bachelor’s degree programme in Design and Communication. It is an individual test which is different for each applicant. It is made up of automatically and randomly selected computer interface questions. All tests have an equivalent level of difficulty.

All students will take the admission test (TIL test) for academic year 2026/27 in person.

Test format and scoring of the TIL-D 

Applicants have 1 hour and a half to answer 42 questions. Questions are divided in 4 sections covering 4 different disciplines. The number of questions and the time limits are organized as follows:   

• 12 Logical Reasoning and Mathematics questions - 30 minutes
• 6  Reading Comprehension questions - 12 minutes
• 12 General knowledge questions - 24 minutes
• 12 Design knowledge questions - 24 minutes

Each question has 5 possible answers (marked with letters A,B,C,D,E), only one of which is correct.   

The score is based on the following criteria: 

•  1  point for each correct answer 
•  A penalty of 0,25 points (-0,25) for each incorrect answer 
•  0 points for each unanswered question 

At the end of the test, applicants will be able to see their score on the screen. Moreover, the test result will be available in the applicant personal page of the Apply@polito platform.

Knowledge required for the admission test

Below are the macro topics of the TIL test.  All details are available in the Quick Guides published on your personal page of the Apply@polito platform.

Logical Reasoning and Mathematics

The questions require one to show aptitude for abstract-logical reasoning in order to logically complete an argument in a manner consistent with the premises, which are stated in numerical, symbolic or verbal form.  Mathematics-related questions involve knowledge related to:  

• numerical sets and arithmetic (natural, relative, rational, real numbers; sorting and comparing numbers; order of magnitude; operations, exponents)
• algebraic calculus  
• fundamentals of probability and statistics.

Reading Comprehension

• The questions will focus on the comprehension of: Italian scientific non-fiction texts
• fiction by classical or contemporary authors  
• topical texts appearing in newspapers or in general or specialist magazines.

General knowledge

The questions will have particular relevance to the following areas:  

• ancient, modern and contemporary history
• geography
• predominantly contemporary literature
• art (milestones in the the history of art, including contemporary art)
• classical and pop music
• current affairs (skills acquired by reading newspapers).  

The questions do not require any particular knowledge in each of these areas, and are rather aimed at highlighting the existence of minimal cultural foundations for candidates seeking a degree, which can originate from skills acquired in high school.

Design Konwledge

The questions are designed to test the candidates' inclination to critically examine certain topics related to a project activity.  Without requiring any specific knowledge of the degree course, the questions aim to ascertain the candidates' sensitivity and interest in the issues of environmental sustainability, technological culture, the history of design and representation. Below is an in-depth examination of the four subject areas:  

• Environmental sustainability:  By environmental sustainability, we mean issues related to the life cycle of products (whether objects, services, communication products or complex systems), practices for reducing environmental impacts, balancing the 3Ps (Planet, People, Profit) for the pursuit of Sustainable Development.
• Technological culture:  Regarding technological culture, we shall address knowledge about how and why products are made in relation to their social use and the availability of resources, placing this knowledge in the perspective of the relationship between the problems they are intended to satisfy and the consequences generated by their production. In the TIL, minimum knowledge requirements of materials, processes and products shall be verified in order to grasp their differences relative to function and to understand the form/function/material relationship.
• History of design:  The history of design refers to matters relating to the history of architecture, design, visual communication and graphics, the ability to place buildings, products and graphics in a specific cultural-historical phase and to be able to briefly define these historical phases.
• Representation:   As far as representation is concerned, the TIL is intended to verify the ability to relate the spatiality of objects to their representation (two- and three-dimensional) and to verify minimum requirements of knowledge of the coding of graphic-technical languages.

On your personal page of the Apply@polito platform you have the opportunity to practise with a dedicated TIL-D simulation test; you can also download other training materials to consolidate your knowledge. 

Academic year 2026/27

The Bachelor's degree programme in Territorial, urban, environmental and landscape planning is capped to a predefined number of student places. Offers of admission will be made to the applicants who get the best scores in the TIL test until all places are full. 

The TIL test is compulsory for the Bachelor’s degree programme in Territorial, urban, environmental and landscape planning. It is an individual test which is different for each applicant. It is made up of automatically and randomly selected computer interface questions. All tests have an equivalent level of difficulty.

All students will take the admission test (TIL test) for academic year 2026/27 in person.

Test format and scoring of the TIL-P

Applicants have 1 hour and a half to answer 42 questions. Questions are divided in 4 sections covering 4 different disciplines. The number of questions and the time limits are organized as follows:   

• 12 Logical Reasoning and Mathematics questions - 30 minutes
• 6  Reading comprehension questions - 12 minutes
• 12 General knowledge questions - 24 minutes
• 12 Territory and Society questions - 24 minutes

Each question has 5 possible answers (marked with letters A,B,C,D,E), only one of which is correct.   

The score is based on the following criteria: 

•  1  point for each correct answer 
•  A penalty of 0,25 points (-0,25) for each incorrect answer 
•  0 points for each unanswered question 

At the end of the test, applicants will be able to see their score on the screen. Moreover, the test result will be available in the applicant personal page of the Apply@polito platform.

Knowledge required for the admission test

Below are the macro topics of the TIL test.  All details are available in the Quick Guides published on your personal page of the Apply@polito platform.

Logical Reasoning and Mathematics

The questions require the applicant to show aptitude for abstract-logical reasoning in order to logically complete an argument in a manner consistent with the premises, which are stated in numerical, symbolic or verbal form. Mathematics-related questions involve knowledge related to: 

• numerical sets and arithmetic (natural, relative, rational, real numbers; sorting and comparing numbers; order of magnitude; operations, exponents)
• algebraic calculus 
• fundamentals of probability and statistics.

Reading Comprehension

• The questions will focus on the comprehension of: Italian scientific non-fiction texts
• fiction by classical or contemporary authors 
• topical texts appearing in newspapers or in general or specialist magazines.

General knowledge

The questions will have particular relevance to the following areas: 

• ancient, modern and contemporary history
• geography
• predominantly contemporary literature
• art (milestones in the the history of art, including contemporary art)
• classical and pop music
• current affairs (skills acquired by reading newspapers). 

The questions do not require any particular knowledge in each of these areas, and are rather aimed at highlighting the existence of minimal cultural foundations for candidates seeking a degree, which can originate from skills acquired in high school.

Territory and Society

The questions are designed to test the inclination towards dealing with problems deriving from the use of land and its interference with economic and social life.  Thus, without requiring any special knowledge, the questions tend to ascertain whether candidates possess a sensitivity towards institutions, political economy, the city and environmental issues (skills acquired in civic education, geography, technical drawing and through the reading of newspapers).

On your personal page of the Apply@polito plaform you have the opportunity to practise with a dedicated TIL-P simulation test; you can also download other training materials to consolidate your knowledge.