Key Takeaways
- Before you start: know the test
- Weeks 1–2: diagnose and build the base
- Weeks 3–4: drill by question type
- Week 5: add the clock
- Week 6: full simulations and review
- Where to get reliable practice
Six weeks is enough time to prepare for the Bocconi admission test if you use it deliberately. This plan breaks the work into weekly blocks so you build the reasoning skills the test rewards, then convert them into speed under timed conditions. Adjust the pace to your starting point, but keep the structure: learn the section, drill it, then simulate.
Before you start: know the test
The Bocconi test is a timed, multiple-choice exam covering numerical reasoning, verbal/critical reasoning, and (for several programmes) mathematics. The questions are not about memorised content so much as fast, accurate problem-solving. Confirm the exact section breakdown and timing for your programme and intake on Bocconi’s official admissions pages before you build your schedule, since the format is periodically updated.
Weeks 1–2: diagnose and build the base
Take one full untimed practice section in each area to find your weakest one. Spend these two weeks relearning the underlying skills: arithmetic and percentages, ratios and proportions, basic algebra and geometry for the numerical/maths parts, and reading-for-argument technique for the verbal part. Work untimed so you understand why each answer is right. End each session by writing down the rule or trap you just learned.
Weeks 3–4: drill by question type
Now group questions by type and do focused sets of 10–15 at a time. The goal is pattern recognition: most test items are variations on a small number of templates. Keep an error log with three columns — the question, why you missed it, and the fix. Review that log at the start of every session. By the end of week 4 you should recognise common setups within the first few seconds.
Week 5: add the clock
Introduce strict per-question timing. Practise the skip-and-return strategy: answer everything you can quickly, flag the hard ones, and come back. On a multiple-choice test with no heavy penalty structure, leaving a question blank is usually worse than an educated guess — confirm your test’s specific scoring rules and adapt. Do at least three timed sections this week.
Week 6: full simulations and review
Sit at least two full, timed simulations under realistic conditions — same time of day, no interruptions, official-style questions. Review each one slowly the next day. In the final two or three days, taper: light review of your error log, no new material, and protect your sleep. You want to arrive sharp, not exhausted.
Where to get reliable practice
Practice quality matters more than quantity. Use official-style simulations and detailed answer explanations rather than random question banks. YourDreamSchool’s Bocconi materials package the guide, official-format simulations, and themed question sets in this exact sequence, and our coaches have sat the test themselves. If you want a structured push, that is where to start.
Author
With a Bachelor's (LLB) from UCL and Assas, and the Grande Ecole program at HEC Paris, Adam has over 10 years of experience in education and student mentoring. Passionate about helping students achieve their academic dreams, he co-founded Your Dream School to guide students through university admissions and interview preparation for top global institutions.
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