Quick Answer: The Online Bocconi Test (50 questions, 75 minutes) requires 8–12 weeks of structured preparation for most students. Start with the official Bocconi simulation to establish your baseline, then focus on Mathematics first (24 questions), followed by Critical Thinking, Numerical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension. Use the official Bocconi app for topic-specific practice and take full timed simulations weekly from week 8 onward. A competitive score is 40+. Last updated: March 2026.
Before You Start: Understand What the Test Actually Tests
The Online Bocconi Test is not a test of general intelligence — it is a test of specific skills that can be learned and improved with practice. Understanding this is the most important first step in your preparation.
The test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions across 4 sections, completed in 75 minutes:
| Section | Questions | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 24 | Algebra, functions, geometry, trig, probability, stats |
| Reading Comprehension | 11 | Understanding explicit and implicit meaning of passages |
| Numerical Reasoning | 6 | Reading charts and tables, data interpretation |
| Critical Thinking | 9 | Logical argument analysis, true/false/not deducible |
Scoring: +1 for correct, -0.2 for wrong (or -0.33 for 3-option Critical Thinking questions), 0 for blank. Minimum to be considered: 17. Competitive threshold: 40+.
Step 1: Take the Official Simulation First
Before starting any topic-specific preparation, take the official full Bocconi simulation available on their website. This is a free, 50-question, 75-minute timed test with a performance review at the end. It will:
- Show you your actual baseline score
- Identify your strongest and weakest sections
- Familiarize you with the real question format and interface
- Give you a realistic sense of the time pressure
Your baseline score determines how much preparation you need and which areas to prioritize. Most students who have not specifically prepared score between 20–30 on their first attempt.
Step 2: Build Your Personalized Study Plan
The right preparation timeline depends on your baseline score and target score. Here are recommended frameworks:
| Baseline score | Target | Recommended timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Below 20 | 40+ | 12+ weeks, 10–15 hrs/week |
| 20–30 | 40+ | 8–10 weeks, 8–12 hrs/week |
| 30–37 | 40+ | 6–8 weeks, 6–10 hrs/week |
| 37–40 | 43+ | 4–6 weeks, focused refinement |
The 12-Week Preparation Plan
Phase 1 — Weeks 1–3: Diagnostic and Foundation
- Week 1: Take the official simulation. Analyse your results by section. Review the full Mathematics syllabus (algebra, functions, analytical geometry).
- Week 2: Deep dive into algebra — equations, inequalities, factoring, systems. Do 30–40 algebra practice problems per day.
- Week 3: Functions and analytical geometry — graphs, line equations, parabolas, distance formula. Introduce the Bocconi app for topic-specific exercises.
Phase 2 — Weeks 4–6: Core Skills
- Week 4: Trigonometry and logarithms/exponentials. Memorize the key identities and log rules. Practice equation-solving in both areas.
- Week 5: Probability (conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem) and discrete mathematics (combinations, permutations). These are heavily tested and often under-prepared.
- Week 6: Reading Comprehension — practice with economic-themed texts. Focus on identifying implicit meaning. Numerical Reasoning — chart and table reading under time pressure.
Phase 3 — Weeks 7–9: Advanced Practice
- Week 7: Critical Thinking — learn the two question types (data/statements and passage reasoning). Practice identifying “not deducible” vs. true/false. Review statistics and sets.
- Week 8: First full timed test (50 questions, 75 minutes). Analyse errors by section. Target your weakest areas with focused practice sessions.
- Week 9: Mixed-section timed practice. Develop your personal question-skipping strategy. Book your first official test attempt if you haven’t already.
Phase 4 — Weeks 10–12: Test Readiness
- Week 10: Full timed test. Review “Instructions and rules of conduct” on the Bocconi website. Understand exactly how the proctoring system works.
- Week 11: Light practice, review formulas, refine time management. No new topics — consolidate what you know.
- Week 12: Final simulation 3–4 days before your test. Two days before: rest. Review your strategy notes the day before. Sleep well.
Official Preparation Resources
| Resource | Where to find it | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Official simulation | Bocconi website (admissions section) | Full 50-question test with performance review. Use for baseline and final mock tests. |
| Bocconi test app | iOS and Android app stores | Topic-specific practice exercises. Use daily for 15–30 min. |
| Official syllabus | Bocconi website | Reference document for Mathematics topic coverage. Ensure nothing is missing from your prep. |
| Instructions and rules | Bocconi webtesting platform | Read before your first official attempt. Understand the interface and proctoring rules. |
Scoring Strategy: When to Guess, When to Skip
This is where many students lose significant points. The penalty system requires a clear strategy:
- 4–5 option questions: If you can eliminate at least one option, guessing from the remaining options is statistically profitable (expected value positive).
- 3-option Critical Thinking questions: The penalty is -0.33. Random guessing still has a slightly positive expected value (≈ +0.11), but confidence matters more here.
- When to leave blank: If you cannot eliminate any option and have no intuition about the answer, leave it blank. The risk of -0.2 or -0.33 outweighs the benefit of a lucky +1.
Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid
- Under-preparing Mathematics. With 24/50 questions, skimping on Math preparation is the single biggest mistake. Even a 5-point improvement in Math equals improving 2–3 other sections combined.
- Starting too late. The test requires consistent, structured practice — not last-minute cramming. Start at least 8 weeks before your target test date.
- Not taking timed simulations. Knowing the material is not the same as performing under time pressure. Regular full-length timed tests are essential from week 8 onward.
- Ignoring the penalty system. Students who do not have a clear strategy about when to guess and when to skip consistently underperform their actual knowledge level.
- Taking the test too late in the admissions cycle. 90–95% of places are filled in the Early and Winter sessions. Book your test early enough to apply by the Winter deadline.
Author: Adam Girsault, Founder of Your Dream School. With over 10 years of experience in international university admissions consulting, Adam has guided hundreds of students through the Bocconi admission process.