Guidelines for the admission test in Computer Science

Next in-person session: October 2026

General information

Important notice

The admission test is mandatory for all the students, as it must be passed before enrollment. International students requiring a visa must pass the admission test as a necessary step of the visa request.

If you are an international student requiring a visa, you must take an online test on a date that will be provided to you after pre-assessment. If you do not need a visa, you will take the test in person on the day specified at the beginning of this document.

Test syllabus

This syllabus provides guidance for students preparing for the Computer Science Master’s admission test. The assessment includes closed-answer questions that cover the fundamental concepts of the subjects listed below. The topics have been intentionally kept broad to reflect subjects commonly covered in Computer Science Bachelor’s programs worldwide.

Subjects

Computer Science
  • Data representations, operations, and storage
  • Computer architectures, operating systems, and networks
  • Algorithms and data structures
  • Programming and programming languages
  • Software Engineering
  • Database models and systems
Mathematics
  • Arithmetic and logic
  • Sets and sequences
  • Functions and calculus
  • Linear algebra
  • Probability and statistics
English

A minimum B2 level of English proficiency is required, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Suggested readings

The suggested readings are provided for guidance purposes only. They are not mandatory, nor are they intended to replace the CS-based bachelor’s degree programs.

Forouzan, B. A. (2023). Foundations of Computer Science. Cengage Learning. https://www.cengage.uk/c/foundations-of-computer-science-5e-forouzan/9781473787322/

Janacek, G. J.; Close M.L. (2011). Mathematics for Computer Science. https://dvikan.no/ntnu-studentserver/kompendier/gentle-introduction-to-mathematics-for-computer.pdf

Online test for students requiring visa

Preparing for the online admission test in Computer Science:

  1. The use of a computer (PC, notebook, or tablet, etc..) is strongly recommended; your device must be upgraded to Windows (10+), MacOS (10.13+) or iOS (12+); ~500 MB free disk space is necessary in order to take the online test;
  2. A second device (a smartphone or a tablet) with a functioning camera is also required. The Microsoft Teams Platform must be installed on this device;
  3. Ensure a stable Internet connection;
  4. Find a quiet exam space: choose a location where you can be alone and concentrate without interruptions or disturbances;
  5. The authentication procedure consists of verifying your identity document at the beginning of the test;

Since the test will be taken online, the monitoring is conducted through the second device which will be connected to a video conference.
For any problems not satisfying these requirements, please contact Prof. Corrado Mencar as soon as possible at the following email address: corrado.mencar@uniba.it: a remote oral test will be planned for you.

The following steps are required to take the Admission test-

1. Register on the platform

  1. Go to https://elearning-test.uniba.it/
  2. Select "Log in" at the top right corner of the screen
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  3. Select "Create new account" located at the centre of the page
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  4. Fill out the new account form; make sure to specify a valid e-mail address as it will be used for further communications as well as for resetting your password in case you lose it. It is suggested to create an easy to remember password. The field "Codice fiscale" is reserved to Italian students only; all the other students can keep this field empty.
  5. Check your email address to complete the registration process: you should receive a message with a link confirmation
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  6. Go to the Home Tab
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  7. Scroll down and click to "Dipartimento di Informatica (DIB)"
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  8. Select "Admission Test for the Master Degree in COMPUTER SCIENCE"
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  9. Select "Enrol me"
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    Congrats! You are now enrolled to the admission test.

2. Download the Safe Exam Browser

The Safe Exam Browser (SEB) is mandatory for taking the admission test. It is available for Windows, MacOS and iOS.

  1. Go to https://elearning-test.uniba.it/
  2. Select "Log in" at the top right corner of the screen
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  3. Log in with your username and password
  4. Select "CS Admission Test" from "My Courses"
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  5. Select DEMO test. (Remember the password!)
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  6. Select "Download Safe Exam Browser"
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  7. Download the browser according to your OS (you should consider ~500MB of free disk space)
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    The download should start automatically, otherwise select "Problems Downloading?" and select a mirror.
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  8. Run the SEB_3.X.X.XXX_SetupBundle.exe file (final name according to the downloaded version). You may safely ignore antivirus warnings.
  9. Check your current installation of the software by running it. You will notice that all open applications will be closed to run the software. To terminate the session, you can click on the icon on the bottom right corner.
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  10. You are encouraged to take a demo test to get acquainted with the platform and the Safe Exam Browser. The demo test is always open and can be repeated as many times as you want. The demo test is available at the following address https://elearning-test.uniba.it/mod/quiz/view.php?id=312
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    You can run the test using the password DEMO.

Please notice that the number of quizzes in the demo may differ from the official admission test.

3. Take the test

if you are reading this note, you should have been notified about the date and time of the test, the link to the test to use on your computer, and the link to the videoconference to use on your smartphone. Please, prepare yourself ahead of time since irregular circumstances may disqualify you from the admission test.

Identification

Before taking the test, you need to be identified by the teachers. To protect your privacy, identification is made one person at a time; while a person is identified, all the other candidates must wait in the lobby. This process takes a lot of time (up to 2 hours waiting): please be patient waiting in the lobby because, if you leave it, you are excluded from the test.

Once identified, you will receive another link to take the test.

Admission test

  1. Join the Teams videoconference with your smartphone/tablet. Make sure your face is fully visible during the entire exam, as well as part of the room you’re in.
  2. Access the admission test through the Safe Exam Browser and wait until the password is communicated by the Committee;
  3. Upon request, use your webcam to show your ID document or passport. Make sure your photo is clearly visible and the whole document centered in the camera frame.
  4. Once you receive the password, the test can start. Please keep in mind the time given to complete the test; time management is important since the test duration is tight and strict. No delayed submissions will be allowed;
  5. It is the unquestionable judgment of the committee not to admit candidates who exhibit potentially misbehavior during the admission test..

What's next?

  • Candidates not passing the admission test are shortly notified. The process ends here.
  • Candidates passing the admission test are included in a list sorted by their CGPA and test results. Only the first 50 candidates in the list can go on with the pre-enrolment on Universitaly. Candidates will be notified by the International Students Office.

In-person test for all students

The admission test for the Master Degree Course in Computer Science will be held in person in one of the laboratories, 3rd floor of the Computer Science Department. Several sessions are usually organised; you can choose your session but please keep in mind that you must necessarily pass the Admission test to enroll in the Master Course in Computer Science.

Please click on https://uniba.prod.up.cineca.it/ to find the name of the lab where your test will be held.

The test is considered to be a “pass” if your test is scored above a threshold.

The following steps are required to take the admission test:

1. Register on the platform

(you can skip this step if you are already registered.)

  1. Go to https://elearning-test.uniba.it/
  2. Select "Log in" at the top right corner of the screen
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  3. Select "Create new account" located at the centre of the page
    image
  4. Fill out the new account form; make sure to specify a valid e-mail address as it will be used for further communications as well as for resetting your password in case you lose it. It is suggested to create an easy to remember password. The field "Codice fiscale" is reserved to Italian students only; all the other students can keep this field empty.
  5. Check your email address to complete the registration process: you should receive a message with a link confirmation
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2. Demo test

You are encouraged to take a demo test to get acquainted with the platform. The demo test is always open and can be repeated as many times as you want. The demo test is available at the following address https://elearning-test.uniba.it/mod/quiz/view.php?id=949
Please notice that the number of quizzes in the demo may differ from the official admission test.

3. Reserve a seat (within one week before the test)

You must reserve a seat for taking the admission test. Go to https://elearning-test.uniba.it/mod/reservation/view.php?id=950 to reserve your seat. Notice that reservations usually close one week before the test date.

If you have a valid English proficiency certificate, please add a note in your reservation and send the certificate to corrado.mencar@uniba.it. If your certification is positively evaluated, you will not need to take the English assessment.

4. Take the test

You must be present on the day of the exam on time and bring your ID card or passport with you because you will be asked to show it.

You will receive a password to take the test. It is important to manage your time effectively, as the test duration is tight and strict. No late submissions will be accepted. The committee will not admit candidates who exhibit potentially misbehaving during the admission test.

What's next?

  • Candidates who pass the admission test are invited to complete their enrolment on the Esse3 platform.
  • Candidates who fail the admission test must take it again in the next session to enroll in the Master's program.