The Junior PLIDA Certificate is an official diploma issued by Società Dante Alighieri in accordance with a convention with the Foreign Ministry (n° 1903 of 4.11.1993), for people aged between 13 and 18.

Its structure is identical to that of the ordinary PLIDA Certificate – with the same institutional value – but the contents of the examination were designed considering the context of communication in which this age group operates.

The idea of a specific certificate for young people was based on their different daily life, in which communications necessities are linked more to family relations, a school environment and in general a basically informal context, rather than to the world of work and, in general, the formal environment of the adult world.

The levels of the Junior PLIDA Certificate system run from A1 to C1, and they correspond to the first five levels as described in the European Council’s Common European Framework of Reference.
The absence of level C2, which is present in the other certification systems, is due to the fact that this level requires the attainment of linguistic skills sufficiently advanced for work in any professional role, and so it cannot be reached in linguistic contexts that by definition are restricted to a more limited area of communications.

There is absolutely no difference in the level of difficulty in linguistic skills and their subsequent evaluation between the PLIDA and Junior PLIDA examination (as can be seen from the Syllabus), because the differences between the two examinations are linked exclusively to the different areas of communication.

Level of italian - Beginners

• PLIDA Certification A1 - Initial Contact
• PLIDA Certification A2 - Survival

Level of italian - Foundation

• PLIDA Certification B1 - Treshold
• PLIDA Certification B2 - Progress

Level of italian - Professional

• PLIDA Certification C1 - Efficacy

Candidates eligible

This form of certification was designed specifically for candidates aged between 13 and 18, even though candidates of different age groups are also permitted. All candidates can choose the level that they consider as closest to their level of skill: it is not necessary to have taken examinations at lower levels in order to enrol for a given level.
Examinations at several levels can be taken during the same session.

Examination structure

The examination consists of four tests that evaluate competence in the four basic linguistic skills: listening, reading, writing, speaking
. The overall duration of the examination varies according to the level.

Further information on the PLIDA preparation course

Passing the examination, and marks

For each test, marks are expressed in terms of a maximum of thirty.
To pass the examination, the candidate has to obtain a pass mark (minimum 18/30) in each of the four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). The minimum overall score for a pass in the examination is therefore 72/120, while the maximum possible score is 120/120.
A candidate who obtains a pass mark in at least three of the four skills obtains a credit in the skills passed, which can be used in the next session to take just the test still to be passed.

Examination results and certificate issue

Examination papers are sent from the various Certification Centres to the Central Offices, where they are marked and evaluated within 60 days from the date of receipt. The Central Office sends Certificates for all the candidates who pass the examination.
The certificate indicates the candidate’s details, the level, the marks obtained in the four language skills, and the overall mark
. Candidates’ personal data is used solely for certificate issue, and this data will not be published in any form in accordance with Italian privacy legislation (law 675/96).

Examination sessions

Examinations are organized to take place on predetermined dates, which apply to all Centres.

• Session of June - Deadline for enrolment: 10 aprile
• Session of October - Deadline for enrolment: 10 September

Enrolment fee

Junior PLIDA:

• Level A1 - € 45,00
• Level A2 - € 50,00
• Level B1 - € 75,00

PLIDA on-line

The complete list of Certification Centres, the Syllabus, and many other useful resources (entrance test to verify level of skill in Italian, exercises, Junior PLIDA examination papers from previous sessions) are available on the web, at the PLIDA web pages:
http://www.ladante.it/plida/