How to Study for Bocconi Exams: The Ultimate Guide to Success

🙋 When I first arrived at Bocconi University, I had no idea how to study for the Bocconi exams. It took me a while to figure things out. However, once I discovered the most effective study techniques for Bocconi students, everything became significantly easier.

If you’re starting your journey at Bocconi and wondering how to study for the Bocconi exams, don’t worry, you’re not alone. That question pops into every student’s mind.

That’s exactly why I’ve put together this friendly guide full of Bocconi exam preparation tips to help you stay ahead, feel confident, and lower your stress levels.

💡 Understand What Bocconi Exams Are About

Let’s break it down. Bocconi exams are designed to test:

• 🧠 Analytical thinking
• 🧩 Problem-solving skills
• 🌍 The ability to apply theory to real-life scenarios

📝 Expect a mix of multiple-choice questions, open-ended essays, and case studies. Professors want to see that you get the concepts – and can use them in real-world situations.

🧠 Best Study Techniques for Bocconi Students

✅ 1. Start Early and Plan Ahead

Cramming the night before? Not a great idea. Instead:

• 🗓 Set weekly study goals.
• 📅 Use a digital calendar or planner (Google Sheets or Excel are great!).
• 📚 Break big topics into smaller chunks.

💡 Pro tip: If you’re working with a Cum Laude tutor, Google Sheets can be super helpful. You can track your progress, get explanations for tought concepts and formulas, and stay organized.

✅ 2. Use Active Learning

Reading over notes isn’t enough. Try these:

• ✍️ Summarize material in your own words,
• 🗣 Teach it to someone else,
• 🧠 Use flashcards (Quizlet is your best friend),
• ⏱ Practice with past exams and time yourself.

⏳ Why the stopwatch? Bocconi exams are getting shorter and more intense – lots of quick questions, little time. Practicing under pressure on time is a must.

✅ 3. Go to Lectures and Take Smart Notes

Show up, seriously. Professors often highlight what’s most likely to appear on the exam. While in class:

• 📌 Use bullet points,
• 🔢 Mark key formulas and definitions,
• 📝 After class, rewrite your notes and add anything useful from slides, textbooks, or your research.

✅ 4. Join Study Groups (If That Works for You)

Study groups can help – if they stay focused. Make sure to:

• 📋 Set an agenda,
• 🧾 Divided topics,
• 🚫 Avoid turning study time into social hour.

The Bocconi Library has group study rooms with whiteboards on the first floor – great for collaborative sessions. But hey, not everyone vibes with group work. If solo study is more your style, stick with that.

📍 Some great quiet spots? The main library, classrooms around campus, or the famous “bunker” under the library – open from early morning to late evening.

✅ 5. Use Bocconi’s Online Resources

Don’t sleep on the digital stuff Bocconi provides:

• 📚 Lecture slides and recordings,
• 📖 Digital textbooks and academic papers,
• 💬 Discussion forums (rarely used, but they exist!),
• 📆 Office hour bookings with professors.

✅ 6. Prepare for Real-World Examples

Exams often include real-life scenarios. To prep:

• 📁 Review case studies from class and apply theory,
• 📰 Stay updated with Financial Times or Il Sole 24 Ore,
• 💼 Practice with exercises that mirror business situations.

✅ 7. Work With a Tutor

A good tutor, especially someone who’s already taken the same exams, can help with:

• 🔍 Explaining complex topics,
• 📄 Giving realistic practice questions,
• 📝 Reviewing your mock tests and essays,
• 📅 Building a personalized study plan tailored to student’s needs (similar to your personal trainer or your personal nutritionist 😊).

⏱ Time Management for Bocconi Students

✅ 1. Make a Study Schedule

Effective time management for Bocconi students is essential for balancing studies and personal life.

• 🧮 Block time for each subject,
• 🍵 Take breaks every 45–60 minutes,
• 🚫 Avoid multitasking.

✅ 2. Prioritize Smartly

Use the Eisenhower Matrix:

• 🔥 Urgent + Important → Do it now,
• 🧩 Important but not urgent → Plan it,
• 📥 Urgent but not important → Delegate if possible,
• ❌ Neither → Cut it out.

✅ 3. Beat Procrastination

• 📦 Break tasks into small steps,
• ⏲ Use the Pomodoro Technique (25 min work, 5 min break),
• 🧘 Or try 90-minute-deep work sessions,
• 📵 Turn off notifications and log out of Instagram 😅

✅ 4. Don’t Forget Your Life

🛏 Sleep 7–8 hours. Eat well. Move your body.

🎵 🚴 Whether it’s biking, working out, playing music, or reading comics – keep your hobbies alive. They matter for your mental health and your future career. Just keep it balanced – this is your time to make studying your first priority as a Bocconian.

📚 How to Study for Bocconi Exams Depending on Exam Format

🔘 1. Multiple Choice

• 👓 Read all the options carefully,
• ❌ Eliminate the wrong ones,
• ⏱ Don’t waste too much time on one question.

2. Essay-Based

• 🧠 Make a quick outline before you start,
• 📐 Stick to structure: intro, body, conclusion,
• 🌍 Use real-world examples to support your points.

3. Case Studies

• 👓 Read the whole case carefully,
• 🔎 Identify main issues and link them to the theory,
• 📈 Offer structured recommendations.

🔧 Study Tools & Apps That Make Life Easier

A few lifesavers we recommend:

• Notion or Evernote – organize your notes,
• Quizlet – flashcards made fun,
• Forest or RoundPie (ex Pomodone) – focus tools,
• Google Sheet or Excel – organize your tasks,
• Google Calendar – plan everything in one place.

🤝 How to Study for Bocconi Exams with Cum Laude Tailored Tutoring

Succeeding at Bocconi requires planning, consistency, and smart strategies. This guide gives you everything you need to feel more in control. But if you’re still unsure how to study for Bocconi exams, reach out – we’re here to help you master the content, stay organized, and boost your confidence.

👨‍🏫 How Can Cum Laude Tutors Help You?                                            

Our tutors know Bocconi inside and out. That means they can:

• 🎯 Run targeted sessions for specific exams,
• 📘 Share past exam tips and what professors usually focus on,
• 📂 Walk through real case studies with you,
• ✅ Give you actionable, personalized feedback.

BONUS: The Bocconi Grading Curve

Yes, Bocconi is known for “curving” grades – and it’s not a myth. Most exam results follow the classic Gaussian distribution. That means most students end up with grades around 23–25, while the outliers (both high and low) are rare.

So even if you scored an 18, that might turn into a 23 or higher depending on how the rest of the class performed. But don’t rely on the curve. Treat every exam like your grade won’t be adjusted.

🎓 Remember, Cum Laude tutors know exactly how to study for Bocconi exams the smart way.

🎯 Every Bocconi student starts somewhere. With the right mindset, the right plan, and maybe a little help, you’ve got this.

🤞 Good luck on your exams and if you ever need support, our tutors are here to help you find your way.