ARCHED and TIL-A are similar tests inside different admissions systems
Both 2026/27 tests covered reading comprehension, prior knowledge and history, logical reasoning, drawing and representation, and mathematics and physics. But the same syllabus does not mean the same exam: ARCHED at Polimi and TIL-A at Polito had different questions, registrations, locations, rankings, and university-specific results.
Which test do you need?
Start with the official Call for Applications for every programme on your shortlist. Do not register for a test because its syllabus looks familiar. The university call identifies the accepted test, candidate category, deadline, available seats, language, delivery method, and ranking procedure.
- Applying to a Politecnico di Milano architecture programme covered here: follow its ARCHED instructions
- Applying to Politecnico di Torino Architecture: follow its TIL-A instructions
- Applying elsewhere: verify the exact test named by that university
- Applying to both: treat Polimi and Polito as two separate applications
Applying to both Polimi and Polito
The subject lists overlap, but the applications do not. Register with each university, pay each fee, take both required tests, follow each candidate-category procedure, and track deadlines and rankings independently. Neither result replaces the other.
- Create separate Polimi and Polito application accounts
- Confirm your candidate category with each university
- Allow for the separate 2026 fees: €35 at Polimi and €50 at Polito
- Register for the correct test language and available session
- Track document, ranking, and enrolment deadlines separately
- Recheck both official calls before booking travel
ARCHED vs TIL-A comparison for 2026/27
| Feature | ARCHED at Polimi, 2026 | TIL-A at Polito, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| University | Politecnico di Milano | Politecnico di Torino |
| Main programme | Architectural Design; Building Engineering–Architecture | Architettura–Architecture |
| Test ownership | Ministerial-format TEST ARCHED used by multiple universities | Polito’s internal TIL-A |
| Questions | 50 | 50 |
| Answer options | 5, one correct | 5, one correct |
| Section timing | 5 sections × 20 minutes | 5 sections × 20 minutes |
| Total time | 100 minutes | 100 minutes |
| Subjects | Reading; prior knowledge/history; logic; drawing/representation; maths/physics | Reading; prior knowledge/history; logic; drawing/representation; maths/physics |
| Scoring | +1 correct, −0.25 incorrect, 0 blank | +1 correct, −0.25 incorrect, 0 blank |
| 2026 delivery | In person at Polimi | In person in Polito laboratories |
| 2026 dates | 23 July English; 24 July Italian | 21 or 22 July |
| Registration fee | €35, non-refundable | €50, non-refundable |
| Test language | Separate English and Italian tests | Choose English or Italian during registration |
| Applying in both languages | Both ARCHED tests were required | Programme preference and language proof handled in the Polito application |
| Ranking | Score, programme preferences, places, and candidate category | Separate EU/equivalent and non-EU visa rankings |
| Result portability | Belongs to the university procedure through which it was taken | Specific to Polito |
| Possible obligations | English OFA if TENG is below 24/30 | Possible OFA if Mathematics and Physics is below 3/10 |
Common questions
Questions students ask before they start
Do Polimi and Polito require separate registrations?
Yes. They use separate application platforms, fees, deadlines, test instructions, rankings, and enrolment procedures. Applying to both means taking the required test for each university.
Which test is harder, ARCHED or TIL-A?
There is no reliable universal answer. Difficulty depends on the question set, your subject profile, the scoring procedure, and the admission ranking for your candidate category.
Do both tests have 50 questions in 100 minutes?
Yes in 2026/27. Both had five separate 20-minute sections with 10 questions each. Future calls can change, so verify the format for your intake.
Did ARCHED and TIL-A use the same scoring?
Yes in 2026/27: +1 for a correct answer, −0.25 for an incorrect answer, and 0 for a blank. The exams and rankings still remained separate.
Were ARCHED and TIL-A online in 2026?
No for the procedures compared here. Polimi assigned ARCHED candidates to test rooms, and Polito held TIL-A in its laboratories.
Can one test result be used for both Polimi and Polito?
No. The applications, tests, and results are university-specific. To apply to both routes, complete both procedures.
Can I apply to both Polimi and Polito?
You can pursue both admission routes if you meet each programme’s eligibility, registration, documentation, and deadline requirements. Treat them as separate applications.
Primary sources
Check the official call for your intake
Exam dates, delivery format, registration windows, seat quotas, and ranking rules can change. These official university pages are the source of record.
- Politecnico di MilanoOfficial 2026/27 ARCHED subjects, section timing, and language notes.
- Politecnico di TorinoOfficial 2026/27 TIL-A dates, delivery, format, scoring, and syllabus.
- Polimi ARCHED registrationOfficial 2026 window, €35 fee, and test-registration procedure.
- Polito Architecture callOfficial €50 fee, section timing, rankings, booking, and OFA rules.