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Key Facts: Maturità Classico Exam

60 / 100

Minimum passing score out of 100 total points

D.Lgs. 62/2017 & MIM Guidelines

40 points

Maximum school credit (credito scolastico) from years 3-5

MIM Ordinanza Ministeriale n. 54

6 hours

Allotted time for Prima Prova (Italian essay/analysis)

MIM Esami di Stato Framework

6 hours

Allotted time for Seconda Prova (Latin or Greek translation & commentary)

MIM Quadri di Riferimento

€12.09

Statutory state examination fee

Agenzia delle Entrate / MIM

20 points each

Maximum score for Prima Prova, Seconda Prova, and Oral Colloquio

MIM Ordinanza Ministeriale n. 54

Bilingual Dictionaries

Permitted aids for Seconda Prova classical translation

MIM Official Exam Instructions

The Italian Maturità for Liceo Classico is the state secondary credential combining school credit (max 40 points) and three exam components (20 points each: Italian essay, Latin/Greek translation-commentary, and multidisciplinary oral colloquio). A minimum of 60/100 points is required to pass.

Sample Maturità Classico Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Maturità Classico exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 99+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In the opening of Cicero's First Catilinarian Oration (In Catilinam 1.1), consider the famous line: 'Quo usque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra?' What grammatical case is 'patientia nostra', and what rule governs its case selection?
A.Ablative case, governed by the deponent verb abutor, which takes an ablative object.
B.Accusative case plural, functioning as the direct direct object of the active transitive verb abutere.
C.Dative case, functioning as the indirect object of a verb of communication.
D.Genitive case, expressing subjective possession governed by tandem.
Explanation: In classical Latin, the deponent verb abutor (along with utor, fruor, fungor, vescor, and potior) governs an object in the ablative case. Here, 'abutere' is the syncopated second-person singular future indicative (equivalent to abuteris), governing the ablative phrase 'patientia nostra'.
2Analyze the syntactic structure and circumstantial value of the subordinate construction in the following sentence adapted from Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico: 'His rebus gestis, Caesar cum legionibus in castra rediit.'
A.It is a dative of agent indicating who performed the actions before returning.
B.It is an ablative absolute functioning as an adverbial clause of antecedent time (temporal).
C.It is an ablative of comparison comparing the recent events to the arrival at camp.
D.It is an ablative of instrument defining the physical tools used by Caesar to retreat.
Explanation: The phrase 'His rebus gestis' consists of a noun ('rebus') and a perfect passive participle ('gestis') in the ablative case, grammatically independent from the main sentence structure. It forms an ablative absolute providing temporal background ('after these deeds had been performed') for Caesar's return to camp.
3Read the following sentence modeled on Cicero's Pro Archia: 'Omnibus civibus haec honesta studia colenda sunt.' What grammatical construction is used, and what does 'omnibus civibus' express?
A.Active periphrastic conjugation, where omnibus civibus is an ablative of separation.
B.Passive periphrastic conjugation, where omnibus civibus is a dative of agent expressing necessity or moral obligation.
C.Impersonal passive construction, where omnibus civibus is a dative of purpose.
D.Future passive infinitive indirect statement, where omnibus civibus is a subjective accusative.
Explanation: The combination of the gerundive ('colenda') with a finite form of sum ('sunt') forms the passive periphrastic conjugation, denoting necessity, duty, or moral obligation ('these noble pursuits must be cultivated'). The agent performing the duty is regularly expressed by the dative of agent ('omnibus civibus': 'by all citizens').
4In Epistle 1.1 of Seneca's Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium, Seneca urges his correspondent: 'Ita fac, mi Lucili: vindica te tibi, et tempus quod adhuc aut auferebatur aut subripiebatur aut excidebat collige et serva.' Which of the following interpretations best captures the philosophical and juridical meaning of 'vindica te tibi'?
A.Revenge yourself upon your political enemies through public judicial prosecutions.
B.Exert legal ownership over yourself by reclaiming your time and life from external alienation.
C.Sacrifice your private life entirely for the public service of the Roman Senate.
D.Isolate yourself from all human fellowship and commit suicide to preserve your soul.
Explanation: Seneca employs the legal vocabulary of Roman civil law: the 'vindicatio' was an action in rem through which a legitimate master asserted ownership over a slave or property. By urging Lucilius to 'vindica te tibi' (literally 'claim yourself for yourself'), Seneca exhorts him to free his consciousness from servitude to frivolous social duties and external trivialities, establishing complete autonomy over his fleeting time.
5Examine the following complex sentence: 'Milites tam fortiter in acie pugnaverunt ut hostes impetum eorum sustinere non possent.' What type of subordinate clause is introduced by 'ut', and what word in the main clause anticipates it?
A.Consecutive (result) clause, signaled by the antecedent adverb tam.
B.Final (purpose) clause, signaled by the prepositional phrase in acie.
C.Causal clause, signaled by the perfect indicative verb pugnaverunt.
D.Substantive clause of fearing, signaled by the modal verb possent.
Explanation: A consecutive (result) clause in Latin expresses the consequence or outcome of an action in the main clause, typically signaled by antecedent demonstratives such as tam, ita, sic, tantus, or adeo. Here, 'tam' ('so bravely') prepares for the result introduced by 'ut' + imperfect subjunctive 'possent' ('that the enemies could not sustain their assault').
6According to the rules of the Latin consecutio temporum (sequence of tenses), which subjunctive tense must be used in an indirect question to express an antecedent (completed) action dependent on a historical main verb? 'Dux captivos rogavit cur castra hostium [relinquere]...'
A.Present subjunctive (relinquant)
B.Imperfect subjunctive (relinquerent)
C.Pluperfect subjunctive (reliquissent)
D.Perfect subjunctive (reliquerint)
Explanation: Under the consecutio temporum, when the governing main verb is in a historical tense (here, the perfect indicative 'rogavit'), subordination requires the imperfect subjunctive for contemporaneous actions, the pluperfect subjunctive for antecedent actions, and the active periphrastic with -urus esset for posterior actions. Because the abandonment of the camp occurred prior to the general's questioning, the pluperfect subjunctive 'reliquissent' is mandatory.
7Read the opening sentence of Tacitus's Annales (1.1): 'Urbem Romam a principio reges habuere; libertatem et consulatum L. Brutus instituit.' Which stylistic and morphological features characteristic of Tacitus are demonstrated here?
A.Archaic third-person plural perfect in -ere (habuere) and conciseness (brevitas) creating rapid historical synthesis.
B.Excessive Greek loanwords and rhyming hexameter cadences typical of epic poetry.
C.Elaborate Ciceronian symmetry (concinnitas) with balanced relative clauses.
D.Passive periphrastic constructions depicting inevitable historical decadence.
Explanation: Tacitus is famous for brevitas (aphoristic density), asymmetrical sentence structure (inconcinnitas), and a preference for archaic or poetic forms, such as the syncopated third-person plural perfect ending '-ere' ('habuere' instead of the standard classical 'habuerunt'). In just a single sentence, he summarizes centuries of Roman constitutional history from the monarchy to the foundation of the Republic.
8In the sentence 'Cum legati Romam pervenissent, senatores in curiam convenerunt', what construction is used with 'cum', and how should it be interpreted?
A.Cum historicum (narrative cum) with pluperfect subjunctive, expressing an antecedent temporal-causal circumstance.
B.Temporal cum with indicative mood, expressing an exact coincidence in time.
C.Concessive cum with imperfect subjunctive, meaning 'although the ambassadors arrived'.
D.Causal cum with present subjunctive, indicating a continuous general condition.
Explanation: The 'cum historicum' or narrative cum combines cum with the imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive to narrate past events, blending temporal setting with causal background ('When / after the envoys had arrived in Rome, the senators gathered in the curia').
9Scan the dactylic hexameter line from Virgil's Aeneid (Book 2.49): 'Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.' Where does the principal metrical pause (caesura) occur in this verse?
A.Trithemimeral caesura after 'Quidquid'.
B.Hephthemimeral caesura after 'ferentes'.
C.Penthemimeral (semiquinaria) caesura after 'Danaos' (in the third foot).
D.Bucolic diaeresis after 'timeo'.
Explanation: In Latin dactylic hexameter, the penthemimeral (semiquinaria) caesura is the most frequent and prominent pause, falling after the first syllable (the arsis/thesis) of the third foot. Scansion: Quīdquĭd ĭd | ēst, tĭmĕ|ō || Dănă|ōs ēt | dōnă fĕ|rēntēs. The penthemimeral pause occurs precisely after the long syllable of the third foot ('-ō' of 'timeo' or separating the hemistichs between 'timeo' and 'Danaos'), with strong syntactic suspension right before the tragic warning.
10In Horace's Odes 1.11, the poet advises Leuconoe: 'Dum loquimur, fugerit invida aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.' What is the literal metaphorical origin of the verb 'carpe', and what philosophical attitude does it convey?
A.It derives from military combat ('strike down'), signifying heroic resistance against fate.
B.It derives from agricultural and horticultural harvesting ('pluck / pick ripe fruit'), urging immediate, mindful enjoyment of the fleeting present.
C.It derives from maritime navigation ('steer a ship'), advising strict ascetic self-denial.
D.It derives from financial lending ('collect interest'), advocating wealth accumulation.
Explanation: The Latin verb carpere primarily refers to plucking flowers or harvesting ripe fruit. Horace uses this agricultural metaphor to urge Leuconoe to gently seize each fleeting day as if harvesting a ripe, perishable fruit, reflecting the Epicurean imperative to live intensely in the present moment without placing naive trust in an uncertain tomorrow ('quam minimum credula postero').

About the Maturità Classico Exam

The Liceo Classico Maturità is Italy's state school-leaving examination for the classical-humanities pathway. In 2026 it combines the national Italian Prima Prova, a six-hour Latin translation and analysis Seconda Prova, and a multidisciplinary oral whose duration is set by the commission. The oral begins with a brief candidate reflection and covers four designated disciplines, civic education, formazione scuola-lavoro, and the written papers. This independent English-language MCQ bank preserves Latin or Greek text where integral to the skill, but it does not simulate full translation, commentary, Italian writing, or oral performance.

Exam sponsor: Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito (MIM). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The 2026 Liceo Classico examination comprises School Credit (max 40 points), Prima Prova scritta (Italian, 6 hours, max 20), Seconda Prova scritta (the designated Latin translation and analysis paper, 6 hours, max 20), and Colloquio Orale (max 20; duration set by the commission). The oral begins with a brief candidate reflection and covers four designated disciplines, civic education, formazione scuola-lavoro, and the written papers. Total score: 100; pass threshold: 60.

Time Limit

Prima Prova 6 hours; Seconda Prova 6 hours; oral duration set by the commission

Passing Score

Minimum 60/100 points overall across school credit and the three exam parts

Exam / Certification Fees

€12.09 (statutory state examination fee)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

35%

Latin Language, Syntax & Literature

Latin morphosyntax, subordinate clause structures (consecutive, final, causal, conditional, indirect questions, ablative absolute), gerunds/gerundives, poetic meter, and core literary masters (Cicero, Seneca, Tacitus, Virgil, Horace, Ovid)

35%

Ancient Greek Language, Syntax & Literature

Ancient Greek morphosyntax, Attic and Homeric dialectal forms, complex participle usage (genitive absolute, supplementary, circumstantial), verbal aspect and mood nuances (optative, subjunctive), and foundational authors (Plato, Aristotle, Homer, Sophocles, Thucydides, Lysias)

15%

Classical History, Philosophy & Ancient Civilization

Greek and Roman political systems, constitutional reforms, key military conflicts (Persian, Peloponnesian, Punic Wars), civic institutions, and ancient philosophy from the Presocratics, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle to Hellenistic Stoicism and Epicureanism

15%

Italian Literature & Classical Heritage

Continuity and transformation of the classical tradition in Italian literature, Renaissance Humanism, epic poetry (Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio, Ariosto, Tasso), Neoclassicism, and classical myth reception in Foscolo, Leopardi, Pascoli, and the 20th century

Preparing for the Maturità Classico Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Minimum 60/100 points overall across school credit and the three exam parts
  • Assessment: The 2026 Liceo Classico examination comprises School Credit (max 40 points), Prima Prova scritta (Italian, 6 hours, max 20), Seconda Prova scritta (the designated Latin translation and analysis paper, 6 hours, max 20), and Colloquio Orale (max 20; duration set by the commission). The oral begins with a brief candidate reflection and covers four designated disciplines, civic education, formazione scuola-lavoro, and the written papers. Total score: 100; pass threshold: 60.
  • Time limit: Prima Prova 6 hours; Seconda Prova 6 hours; oral duration set by the commission
  • Exam / certification fees: €12.09 (statutory state examination fee) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Maturità Classico: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master classical subordinate clauses: drill indirect questions, consecutive clauses, purpose clauses, conditions (periodo ipotetico in all three degrees), and absolute ablative / genitive absolute constructions in both Latin and Ancient Greek.
2Pay attention to verbal aspect and mood: in Ancient Greek, recognize the difference between aorist punctiliar aspect and present durative aspect; in Latin, review the sequence of tenses (consecutio temporum) thoroughly.
3Analyze syntax before translating: locate the main verb, identify sentence connectors, bracket subordinate clauses, and trace noun-adjective agreements before formulating your translation draft.
4Integrate classical texts with literary history: when reading Seneca, Tacitus, Plato, or Sophocles, analyze their stylistic devices, rhetorical figures, philosophical worldview, and historical context alongside their grammar.
5Practice oral synthesis: link classical themes (such as the concept of justice, tyranny, exile, or human nature) across Greek, Latin, Italian literature, and modern philosophy to prepare for the multidisciplinary colloquium.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Esame di Stato (Maturità) for Liceo Classico and how is it structured?

The Maturità Classica is Italy's national secondary school-leaving examination for the classical high school curriculum. It consists of a national Italian Prima Prova, the current year's designated classical-language Seconda Prova, and a multidisciplinary Colloquio Orale whose duration is set by the commission. For 2026 the designated second-test discipline is Latin.

How is the Maturità scored and what is the passing threshold?

The maximum total score is 100 points, comprised of: up to 40 points for school credit (credito scolastico) accumulated during years 3, 4, and 5; up to 20 points for Prima Prova; up to 20 points for Seconda Prova; and up to 20 points for the Colloquio Orale. The passing threshold is 60 out of 100 points. Candidates who achieve 100 points with maximum credit may be awarded honors (lode) by unanimous commission vote.

Which language is tested on the Seconda Prova in 2026?

The subject of the Seconda Prova for Liceo Classico alternates between Latin and Ancient Greek according to the annual ministerial decree issued by the Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito (MIM). Under OM 54 del 26 marzo 2026, students must be prepared for rigorous translation, linguistic parsing, and thematic commentary in both classical tongues throughout their fifth year until the specific subject is assigned.

Are dictionaries permitted during the written exams?

Yes. For the Seconda Prova, candidates are officially permitted to bring and consult monolingual and bilingual translation dictionaries (Latin-Italian or Ancient Greek-Italian, as well as a standard monolingual Italian dictionary). Electronic devices, digital dictionaries, and commentary editions with translations are strictly prohibited.

Are these practice questions official MIM examination materials?

No. These practice questions are an independent study resource developed by OpenExamPrep. They are not endorsed, sponsored, or administered by the Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito (MIM). The bank translates the linguistic and literary competencies of the official Quadri di Riferimento into targeted multiple-choice questions to reinforce syntax, morphology, and literary analysis.