How to prepare for the Bocconi admissions test? Start 8–12 weeks before your test date. Focus on the four sections: Reading Comprehension, English Language, Logic & Critical Thinking, and Numerical Reasoning. The core strategy is elimination — reason against wrong answers rather than for correct ones. With a −0.25 penalty per wrong answer, only guess when you have meaningfully narrowed down your options.
How to Prepare for the Bocconi Test: Complete 2026 Guide
The Online Bocconi Test (OBT) is a 50-question multiple-choice exam covering four sections. This guide gives you an overview of the test format, the scoring rules, and the key areas to focus your preparation on.
Test Structure at a Glance
- Section 1 – Reading Comprehension (Italian or English): Passages followed by questions on inference, tone, main idea, and vocabulary in context.
- Section 2 – English Language: Grammar, vocabulary, sentence completion, and error identification.
- Section 3 – Logic & Critical Thinking: Sequences, analogies, verbal reasoning, and logical deduction. Each question has only three answer options.
- Section 4 – Numerical Reasoning: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, probability, and data interpretation. No calculator permitted.
Scoring: +1 for each correct answer, −0.25 for each wrong answer, 0 for unanswered questions.
What to Focus Your Preparation On
Effective Bocconi test preparation comes down to a few core principles: mastering the elimination strategy, understanding your error patterns, building your mathematical vocabulary in both English and French, and practising under timed conditions. The sections below give you the key vocabulary you need and an overview of each section’s demands.
For a complete step-by-step preparation strategy — including a full 8-week study plan, section-by-section tactics, and practice exercises — see the Your Dream School Bocconi Prep Guide, developed by tutors who have coached hundreds of successful Bocconi applicants.
Mathematics & Science Vocabulary: English–French Reference
The test may reference mathematical concepts in both English and French. Use the table below to ensure you recognise key terms in both languages before test day.
| English | French |
|---|---|
| Absolute value | Valeur absolue |
| Acute angle | L’angle aigu |
| Arc length | Longueur d’arc |
| Asymptote | Asymptote |
| Average | Moyenne |
| Axis of symmetry | Axe de symétrie |
| Binomial theorem | Formule du binôme |
| Calculus | Calcul différentiel et intégral |
| Circumference | Circonférence |
| Combination | Combinaison |
| Completing the square | Compléter le carré |
| Cosine | Cosinus |
| Decreasing | Décroissant |
| Denominator | Dénominateur |
| Even number | Nombre pair |
| Exponent | Exposant |
| Factorization | Mise en facteurs |
| Function | Fonction |
| Graph | Courbe |
| Increasing | Croissant |
| Inequality | Inégalité |
| Integer | Entier |
| Inverse function | Fonction inverse |
| Irrational number | Nombre irrationnel |
| Logarithmic function | Fonction logarithmique |
| Midpoint | Point médian |
| Obtuse angle | Angle obtus |
| Parabola | Parabole |
| Parallel | Parallèle |
| Perpendicular | Perpendiculaire |
| Polynomial function | Fonction polynomiale |
| Pythagorean theorem | Théorème de Pythagore |
| Quadratic formula | Formule quadratique |
| Radian | Radian |
| Radius | Rayon |
| Rational number | Nombre rationnel |
| Reciprocal | Réciproque (1/x) |
| Remainder | Reste |
| Right angle | Angle droit |
| Root of an equation | Racine d’une équation |
| Sequence | Suite |
| Set | Ensemble |
| Sine | Sinus |
| Slope | Pente |
| Square root | Racine carrée |
| Subset | Sous-ensemble |
| Trigonometry | Trigonométrie |
| Vertex | Sommet |
| x-intercept | Abscisse à l’origine |
| y-intercept | Ordonnée à l’origine |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many weeks should I study for the Bocconi test?
Most students need 8–12 weeks of structured preparation. If you already have strong math and English skills, 6–8 weeks may be sufficient. Consistency matters more than total hours — daily practice produces much better results than last-minute cramming.
Should I guess on the Bocconi test?
The −0.25 penalty means random guessing is not worth it. However, strategic guessing after eliminating clearly wrong options can be worthwhile. Knowing exactly when to guess — and how to eliminate — is one of the key skills covered in the Your Dream School Bocconi Prep Guide.
What official resources does Bocconi provide?
Bocconi publishes official sample questions and a test guide on their admissions website. These are your most authoritative source for understanding the exact question types you will face on test day.