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Bocconi Admission Test Cheat Sheet

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Mathematics

  • 48% of exam
  • Algebraic Identities Functions and Inverses Quadratic Equations Logarithm Rules Coordinate Geometry Probability Basics

Reading Comprehension

  • 22% of exam
  • Economic Passages Explicit Detail Implicit Meaning Author Purpose Passage Structure

Numerical Reasoning

  • 12% of exam
  • Table Interpretation Chart Extraction Percentage Change Ratio Calculations Superfluous Data

Critical Thinking

  • 18% of exam
  • Deductive Reasoning Modus Tollens True False Unknown Data Propositions Hidden Assumptions

Quick Facts

  • Exam Format 50 questions online
  • Time Limit 75 minutes continuous
  • Scoring Plus 1 correct zero blank
  • Wrong Penalty Minus 0.20 or 0.33
  • Exclusion Floor Under 17 excluded
  • Weighting 55 percent test 45 GPA
  • Attempt Limit Four per type yearly
  • Calculators Strictly prohibited

Viete Root Formulas MA

  • Sum equals negative b/a; product equals c/a
  • Sum equals negative b over a Product equals c over a Applies to quadratic equations Saves time on roots

Permutations vs Combinations MA

Permutations

  • Order is essential
  • Rankings or sequences
  • Factorial arrangement

Combinations

  • Order does not matter
  • Committees or groups
  • Divide out duplicates
  • Ordered arrangement versus unordered selection

Mathematics Strategy Picker MA

  • Equation has symmetry → Apply Viete root formulas ( Avoid long quadratic solving )
  • Rational inequality given → Build sign chart immediately ( Exclude denominator roots )
  • Compound probability requested → Check for independent events ( Multiply separate chances )
  • Permutation versus combination → Determine if order counts ( Combinations divide duplicates )
  • Exponential equation given → Match bases or take logarithms ( Check positive bases first )
  • Calculations look overwhelming → Look for factoring shortcut ( No calculators allowed )

Algebraic Identities MA

  • Difference squares a²−b² = (a−b)(a+b) Factor
  • Sum of cubes a³+b³ = (a+b)(a²−ab+b²) Factor
  • Difference cubes a³−b³ = (a−b)(a²+ab+b²) Factor
  • Quadratic roots x = (−b±√(b²−4ac))/(2a) Formula
  • Discriminant positive Two distinct real roots Roots
  • Discriminant zero One repeated real root Roots
  • Discriminant negative No real solutions exist Roots
  • Viete sum Minus b divided by a Roots

Logarithm Expansion Rules MA

  • Product adds Quotient subtracts Power multiplies forward
  • Product becomes sum Quotient becomes difference Power drops to front Same base required

Independent vs Mutually Exclusive MA

Independent

  • Outcomes do not affect
  • Product of probabilities
  • Can occur together

Mutually Exclusive

  • Cannot happen together
  • Intersection equals zero
  • Sum of probabilities
  • No influence versus disjoint occurrence

Functions and Exponents MA

  • Invertible function Must be strictly bijective Core
  • Inverse reflection Reflect across line y equals x Graph
  • Domain of g∘f x∈Df; f(x)∈Dg Rule
  • Root principal √(x²) = |x| Trap
  • Fractional power Positive base: exponent means root-power Rule
  • Negative power a^(−n)=1/a^n; a≠0 Rule
  • Zero exponent a⁰=1; a≠0 Rule

Logarithms and Exponentials MA

  • Log product log_b(xy)=log_b(x)+log_b(y) Rule
  • Log quotient Log quotient becomes log difference Rule
  • Log power log_b(x^k)=k·log_b(x) Rule
  • Change of base log_b(x)=ln(x)/ln(b) Formula
  • Base greater one Strictly increasing monotonic function Growth
  • Base between zero one Strictly decreasing function Decay
  • Natural log Logarithm with base e Base

Coordinate Geometry MA

  • Distance formula d=√((x₂−x₁)²+(y₂−y₁)²) Formula
  • Midpoint formula Average x-coordinates and y-coordinates Formula
  • Parallel slopes Equal slopes for nonvertical parallel lines Lines
  • Perpendicular slopes Nonzero slopes: product equals minus one Lines
  • Parabola vertex −b/(2a); substitute into quadratic Vertex
  • Circle equation (x−h)²+(y−k)²=r²; r>0 Standard
  • Vertical line exception Horizontal and vertical lines are perpendicular Scope

Combinatorics and Probability MA

  • Permutations n!/(n−k)!; ordered selections Order
  • Combinations n!/[k!(n−k)!]; unordered selections Choice
  • Independent events Product of separate probabilities Rule
  • Mutually exclusive Probability of intersection is zero Rule
  • Complement rule One minus event probability Shortcut
  • Conditional probability Joint probability ÷ given-event probability Bayes
  • Union probability Add probabilities, subtract intersection Union
  • Conditional denominator Given event must have positive probability Domain

Explicit vs Implicit Meaning RE

Explicit Detail

  • Directly in text
  • Factual statement
  • Literal reading

Implicit Meaning

  • Logical inference
  • Underlying implication
  • Author unstated intent
  • Direct statement versus logical inference

Reading Comprehension Mechanics RE

  • Explicit question Fact directly stated in text Direct
  • Implicit question Requires sound logical deduction Inference
  • Author tone Neutral critical or supportive attitude Tone
  • Main purpose Overarching argument of passage Theme
  • Contextual vocabulary Meaning defined by surrounding sentence Context
  • Structural markers Contrast transition shifts argument Structure

Economic Passage Concepts RE

  • GDP growth Change in specified output measure Macro
  • Fiscal deficit Government spend exceeds revenues Fiscal
  • Inflation rate General price-level percentage change Prices
  • Monetary policy Central-bank rates and other instruments Policy
  • Trade balance Exports minus import total value Trade
  • Supply demand shift Price equilibrium response to shock Micro

Editorial Pacing Aid NU

  • Average ninety seconds per item across the whole test
  • Three questions per screen Variable time by difficulty No backward screen return No fixed screen timer

Percent vs Percentage Point NU

Percentage Change

  • Relative growth rate
  • Change over base
  • Multiplied by hundred

Percentage Points

  • Absolute difference
  • Arithmetic subtraction
  • Direct point difference
  • Relative change versus absolute difference

Numerical Reasoning Workflow NU

  • Dense table presented → Identify requested variable first ( Ignore extraneous columns )
  • Percentage change asked → Divide change by original ( Do not divide final )
  • Comparing two percentages → Distinguish points from percent ( Subtraction yields points )
  • Answer options widely spaced → Round values for speed ( Eliminate distant distractors )
  • Overall time running low → Choose using remaining evidence ( No separate screen timer )
  • Zero options eliminable → Consider positive expected guessing ( Five-option blind EV: +0.04 )

Numerical Reasoning Essentials NU

  • Percent change 100×(new−old)/old; old≠0 Core
  • Percentage points Arithmetic difference between two rates Trap
  • Ratio scaling Maintain equal fraction multipliers Ratio
  • Weighted average Σ(wᵢxᵢ)/Σwᵢ; nonzero denominator Mean
  • Superfluous data Ignore unneeded table rows columns Filter
  • Estimation filter Round numbers to eliminate choices Speed

Critical Thinking Decision Criteria LO

  • True matches False conflicts Cannot Say lacks data
  • True: stated or implied support False: direct contradiction Cannot say: incomplete evidence Ignore external facts

False vs Cannot Say LO

False

  • Contradicts stated or implied facts
  • Text entails its opposite
  • Definitive conflict

Cannot Say

  • Neither verdict follows
  • Plausible but unproven
  • Missing crucial information
  • Contradiction versus missing evidence

Critical Thinking Decision Flow LO

  • Text entails the claim → Select True verdict ( Explicit or implicit support )
  • Text entails the opposite → Select False verdict ( Explicit or implicit contradiction )
  • Neither claim nor opposite follows → Select Cannot Say ( Unmentioned may still be implied )
  • Claim contains extreme absolutes → Verify text supports absolute ( Often Cannot Say )
  • Conditional premise affirmed → Conclude consequence validly ( Modus ponens rule )
  • Two options firmly eliminated → Choose among remaining options ( Positive expected value )

Deductive Logic Mechanics LO

  • Modus ponens Affirm premise conclude consequence Valid
  • Modus tollens Deny consequence conclude negated premise Valid
  • Affirming consequent Invalid fallacy cannot conclude premise Fallacy
  • Denying antecedent Invalid fallacy consequence might hold Fallacy
  • Syllogism rule Conclusion must follow strictly Validity
  • Contrapositive Logically equivalent to original conditional Identity

Modus Ponens vs Tollens LO

Modus Ponens

  • Affirm the antecedent
  • Derive the consequent
  • Valid conditional inference

Modus Tollens

  • Deny the consequent
  • Deny the antecedent
  • Valid contrapositive logic
  • Forward affirmation versus backward negation

Three Option Critical Thinking LO

  • True verdict Entailed by stated or implied facts True
  • False verdict Passage entails the claim is false False
  • Cannot say Insufficient text facts to decide Neutral
  • Extreme wording Check exact quantifier support Trap
  • Negative penalty Three-option critical errors: −0.33 Scoring
  • Prior knowledge trap Rely solely on provided facts Rule

Common Traps

Cannot Say vs False

  • Neither verdict follows: cannot say ≠ False: explicit or implicit contradiction

Sequential Navigation Trap

  • Once submitted screen is locked ≠ Never plan to revisit questions

Blind Guessing vs Elimination

  • Penalty does not imply negative EV ≠ Five-option blind guess averages +0.04

Percent vs Percentage Point

  • Points subtract two rates directly ≠ Percent divides by baseline

Denominator Zero Exclusion

  • Rational inequalities must exclude zeros ≠ Denominator must remain nonzero

Prior Knowledge in Logic

  • External facts invalidate answers ≠ Base conclusions strictly on passage

Last Minute

  • 1. Fifty questions seventy five minutes total
  • 2. Forward navigation: cannot return backwards
  • 3. Plus one correct zero blank
  • 4. Minus point twenty wrong standard
  • 5. Minus point thirty three wrong logic
  • 6. Score under seventeen excludes applicant
  • 7. No calculators allowed in exam
  • 8. Guessing has positive expected points
  • 9. Test counts fifty five percent

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