On 5 June 2026, as we have seen, the written test for the exam to obtain the qualification to practice the profession of Tourist Guide 2026 will take place.
The exam diary published by the Ministry of Tourism – which has the value of notification in all respects – provides for the test to be carried out in multiple territorial locations, with candidates being summoned based on the residence declared in the application form.
Let’s see how the written test takes place, what to study as a priority and some useful practical advice.
Tourist Guide 2026: how the written test takes place
The written test is carried out using IT tools and consists of a test of 40 multiple choice questions, to be completed in 40 minutes. At the end of the expected time, the system interrupts the procedure and definitively acquires the answers provided up to that moment; before definitive acquisition, the candidate can modify the answers already entered.
It is therefore a more concentrated test than the previous 80-question setup seen in 2025, but with a substantially unchanged average time: one minute per question.
The test is organized by subjects with a precise distribution: 10 questions on art history, 10 on archaeology, 7 on geography, 7 on history, 3 on tourism law, accessibility and inclusiveness of the tourist offer and 3 on the discipline of cultural heritage and landscape.
Exam subjects: what to study with priority
The written test, like the subsequent oral test, focuses on Sections I, II and IV of the exam program – Attachment 3 (downloadable at the end of the article). Sections I and II concern the contents of art history, geography, history and archaeology, while Section IV concerns tourism law, accessibility and inclusiveness of the tourist offer, as well as the discipline of cultural heritage and landscape.
The Program should not be read as a simple list of places to memorize. In fact, the Commission has clarified that sites, museums, places of culture and territorial contexts indicated in the program are application references for preparing questions and verifying historical, artistic, archaeological, geographical and cultural knowledge, avoiding a purely localistic or excessively notional approach. The ability to contextualize cultural assets and places, connect different disciplines and read the heritage according to the professional activity of the tourist guide is also enhanced.
Evaluation: threshold at 25/40 and no penalties for errors
The maximum score for the written test is 40 points. Each correct answer is worth 1 point, while the wrong or missing answer is worth 0 points. The test is passed with a minimum score of 25/40; only candidates who reach this threshold will be able to access the subsequent phases of the exam (oral test and guided tour simulation).
The absence of penalties for wrong answers is also a decisive element on a practical level. Since an incorrect answer does not deduct points, it is best to avoid leaving questions blank, especially when it is possible to reason by exclusion.
The most useful strategy is to manage time in three steps: answer the certain questions immediately, mentally mark the doubtful ones without getting too stuck, and return at the end to the questions that remain open. With 40 minutes available, the main risk is not only making mistakes, but wasting time on individual questions to the detriment of the more accessible ones.
Practical indications for the day of the test
Candidates must present themselves with the receipt issued by the computer system at the time of application, a valid identification document, the tax code and a printed copy of the letter of participation. The latter will be sent to the email address indicated in the application approximately 48 hours before the meeting date, and will also contain the QR Code for access to the test. In case of non-receipt, the candidate can still present himself with the regular registration receipt which can be downloaded from the inPA Portal.
During the test it is not permitted to communicate with other candidates or introduce writing paper, publications, regulatory collections, dictionaries, texts, notes, mobile phones or other devices suitable for storing or transmitting data. Violation of these provisions will result in exclusion. Electronic devices must be turned off and placed in the bag shield provided by the organization before identification.
After the test, it will be possible to view your work in the Formez Concorsi Smart reserved area, following notice published on inPA.
