Preparing for the admission selections

The OPD’s SAFS entrance examination consists of the following tests:

• A preliminary interview in Italian, reserved for candidates who are non-Italian citizens;
• A drawing test designed to assess the candidate’s skill and manual aptitude in depicting an artefact of historical and artistic interest;
• A practical perceptive aptitude test aimed at assessing the candidate’s colour/depth sensitivity through tests corresponding to the chosen Percorso Formativo Professionalizzante (PFP), or Vocational Training Track;
• An oral test aimed at ascertaining the candidate’s knowledge in various fields: art history, techniques of execution and constituent materials of artefacts relating to the chosen track, basic principles of earth sciences, biology, chemistry, and physics, and the English language through the oral translation of a passage. The oral test will also be taken in Italian by foreign citizens.

The tests are consecutive; candidates must pass each test in order to qualify for succeeding ones.

Preliminary Italian language test

Non-Italian citizens must pass a preliminary test to ascertain their knowledge of the Italian language. The test involves having candidates read a technical scientific passage and evaluating their comprehension of the language.

Drawing test

The drawing test is the same for all PFPs.

The drawing test consists of a 2D depiction of an art piece or part thereof, following a B/W photographic reference. The drawing must be a scale reproduction with respect to the photo’s size, done using a black graphite pencil in a linear stroke and without shading.
Linear stroke depiction refers to the representation of an art piece or artefact’s essential structure, carried out by applying sharp and appropriately modulated strokes. The objective is to bring out the volumetric definition, proportions, and the specific technique of execution being examined (see examples in the photo gallery).

The test lasts six consecutive hours. For the execution of the scale reproduction, candidates must bring only the following materials: graphite pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, rulers, triangles, and portable calculators. Drawing sheets will be supplied by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure. Candidates are strictly forbidden from using all other materials.

The evaluation criteria applied by the committee to judge the final results are as follows (in order of importance):

• completion of the work;
• compliance with the required technique of execution;
• accuracy of the proportions;
• resemblance to the original;
• neatness of the strokes;
• cleanliness and intactness of the sheet.

Only those with a mark of no less than 6/10 (six-tenths) are qualified for the succeeding test.

Practical perceptive aptitude test

The practical perceptive aptitude test varies according to the PFP chosen.

Aptitude test for Percorsi Formativi Professionalizzanti 1, 2, and 5.

The aptitude test for PFP 1, 2, and 5 consists of the reproduction in tempera, on a chalked cardboard support measuring 25 x 30 cm, of a polychromatic sample of a geometric shape provided to each candidate in photographic form.
The work must be an accurate copy of the polychrome sample provided, done on a 1:1 scale with even colouring and layering (see examples in the photo gallery).

The test will take place over two consecutive days, for six hours per day. For this test, candidates must bring the following materials: graphite pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, rulers, triangles, tempera colours, brushes, and a palette. Any other necessary materials will be supplied by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure.

The evaluation criteria adopted by the committee to judge the final results are as follows:

• Compliance with the required technique of execution;
• completion of the work;
• compliance with the required technique of execution;
• completion of the work;
• cleanliness and intactness of the sample.

Only those with a mark of no less than 6/10 (six-tenths) in the practical perceptive test are qualified for the succeeding test.

Aptitude test for Percorso Formativo Professionalizzante 3

The aptitude test for PFP 3 consists of sewing stitches on fabric, which is then stretched on a frame (span size 25 x 25 cm), following the pattern provided during the exam (indicating the materials and dimensions required). The work must be an accurate 1:1 copy of said chart.

The test will take place over three days. for six hours per day. For this test, candidates will be provided with the necessary materials (pattern, frame, fabric, drawing pins, needles, yarn, scissors, pins, weights, tweezers, ruler, pencil, and A4 sheet of paper).

The evaluation criteria adopted by the committee to judge the final results are as follows:

• completion of the work;
• compliance with the required technique of execution (front and back);
• correct positioning and stretching of the fabric;
• cleanliness and intactness of the sample.

Only those with a mark of no less than 6/10 (six-tenths) in the practical perceptive test are qualified for the succeeding test.

Aptitude test for Percorso Formativo Professionalizzante 4

The aptitude test for PFP 4 consists of a 1:1 scale integration or copy of a relief artefact, created on a 1:1 scale using modelling clay.

The test will take place over three days, for six hours per day. Each candidate will be provided with a plaster model, along with modelling clay and the necessary tools to complete the task. Candidates are strictly forbidden from using any personal tools.

The evaluation criteria adopted by the committee to judge the final results are as follows:

• completion of the work;
• compliance with the required technique of execution;
• accuracy of the work;
• cleanliness and intactness of the sample.

Only those with a mark of no less than 6/10 (six-tenths) in the practical perceptive test are qualified for the succeeding test.

Oral test

The oral test is the same for all PFPs.
Candidates must demonstrate that they possess the following basic knowledge:

• knowledge of the fundamental aspects of ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary art and architecture history, through the analysis of works;
• knowledge of the materials and art techniques related to the chosen Percorso Formativo Professionalizzante, through the analysis of works;
• knowledge, at the upper secondary school level, of the natural sciences: chemistry, earth sciences, physics, biology;
• basic knowledge of the English language by reading and translating a short text of a historical/artistic and or technical/scientific nature.

The evaluation criteria adopted by the committee to judge the oral test are as follows:

• Ability to contextualize the subject matter in question;
• Summarization, comprehensiveness, and adherence to the subject matter;
• Coherence, clarity, logical correctness, and completeness of the discussion.

Candidates must score at least 6/10 (six-tenths) to pass the test.

For further information

Broader and more detailed guidelines on the exam topics and subjects, including suggestions on bibliographic references in preparation for the selection process, can be found on the Opificio delle Pietre Dure website in the Notices section of the Study page. You may also contact the SAFS Administrative Office via the email address opd.saf@cultura.gov.it