To enrol in the three-year degree programmes (Agricultural Sciences – Viticulture and Oenology – Food Sciences) of the Department of Agricultural, Food and Agro-environmental Sciences, it is mandatory to take an assessment test (TOLC-AV), as required by current regulations, which does not, however, prevent enrolment in the respective degree programmes.
- Check the dates of the TOLC of interest in the TOLC-AV calendar; you may register for those with OPEN REGISTRATION. If there are no dates available yet in the TOLC calendar, if places are filled, or if registration is closed at the University of Pisa, you may take the TOLC at a different university. In fact, the TOLC can be taken at any university, and the scores obtained in the TOLC-AV can be used for all degree programmes that require it (watch the tutorial “The advantages of the TOLC”).
- For further information on registering for the test, consult the TOLC-AV page.
- The knowledge required to take the TOLC-AV is listed on the following page: https://www.cisiaonline.it/tematic_area_agri/il-test/syllabus/
Useful teaching materials for preparing for the assessment test
CISIA provides sample tests (https://www.cisiaonline.it/tematic_area_agri/allenamento/
) and a simulation with the same structure and duration as the CISIA tests (https://allenamento.cisiaonline.it/utenti_esterni/login_studente.php
).
Structure and assessment of the evaluation test
The Department of Agricultural, Food and Agro-environmental Sciences of the University of Pisa is a member of the Interuniversity Consortium Integrated Systems for Access (CISIA). In particular, the test administered by CISIA is used for the degree programmes in Agricultural Sciences and in Viticulture and Oenology. The test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions (only one correct answer among those indicated for each question), divided into 6 sections (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Logic, Italian language comprehension). Each section has a predetermined number of questions and a fixed time limit. The table below shows the sections and the time available for each.
| Section | Number of questions | Time allowed |
| Biology | 8 questions | 16 minutes |
| Chemistry | 8 questions | 16 minutes |
| Physics | 8 questions | 16 minutes |
| Mathematics | 8 questions | 16 minutes |
| Logic | 8 questions | 16 minutes |
| Verbal comprehension | 2 texts (10 questions) | 20 minutes |
Each question has five possible answers, only one of which is correct. For each question, a correct answer scores one point (1); an incorrect answer results in a penalty of -1/4 of a point (-0.25). No score or penalty is assigned to unanswered or cancelled questions. Each section is considered passed when a score of at least 3 is achieved.
The academic organisation of the degree programmes requires newly enrolled students to have an adequate initial level of preparation acquired during their previous studies.
For students enrolled in the degree programmes in AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES and VITICULTURE AND OENOLOGY:
If the Mathematics section of the assessment test is not passed, the student is assigned an Additional Educational Requirement (OFA), which must be fulfilled in one of the following ways:
- by retaking the TOLC-AV test and obtaining a minimum score of 3 in the mathematics section;
- by passing a “Mathematics Zero” test. The first Mathematics Zero test is administered at the end of the “Mathematics Zero” course.
To support students with an OFA in mathematics, the following resources are available:
- MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) for mathematics
- Basic mathematics platform provided by the University of Pisa and available free of charge
Exemption from knowledge assessment: in the event of acceptance of a transfer or change from other degree programmes of the University of Pisa or of other universities, students who did not take the assessment test in their previous programme or who are not considered eligible for transfer to Agricultural Sciences or to Viticulture and Oenology, and therefore are not exempt from passing the test, are directly assigned OFAs. If the student has taken an assessment test in the original degree programme, the Academic Board evaluates whether or not OFAs should be assigned.
For students enrolled in the degree programme in FOOD SCIENCES:
Students who have not achieved the minimum required score of 3 in Chemistry and Biology are assigned OFAs, which must be fulfilled in one of the following ways for the two subjects:
BIOLOGY
- Passing a biology test based on the knowledge required for access (5 questions)
CHEMISTRY
- Passing a chemistry test based on the knowledge required for access
- Passing the two mid-term assessments administered during the first semester of the academic year
- Passing the general written exam administered at each exam session during the academic year
Changing from another degree programme to Viticulture and Oenology
To change from another degree programme at the University of Pisa to the degree programme in Viticulture and Oenology, consult this page.
Transferring from another University to Viticulture and Oenology
To learn about the procedures and deadlines for transferring from another university to the degree programme in Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Pisa, consult this page.
Tuition fees, reductions and scholarships
To find out the amounts of tuition fees and contributions to be paid, as well as any available reductions, consult the Tuition fees and scholarships section of the University of Pisa “Matricolandosi” website at the following link: tuition fees and scholarships.