Is the Bocconi Test Harder Than the SAT?

Want to know if the Bocconi Test is harder than the SAT?

Spoiler alert: It depends on YOU, not the test.

Yes, that’s right…despite everything you have read online, we–as tutors who teach both the Bocconi Test and SAT–think that the Bocconi Test is harder for some students, while the SAT is harder for others. Here’s our thought process:

The Bocconi Test is Harder for Students Who

Have not studied math in a long time.

If the last time you did any math was during your GCSEs, you will probably find the Bocconi Test harder than the SAT. The Bocconi Test includes some higher/further math concepts that you would have practiced in year 12 and 13, while the SAT only (usually) tests concepts up to year 11. It doesn’t that you shouldn’t take the Bocconi Test (more on this later), it just means that you will need to ensure you allocate adequate study time to learn the concepts you need to know for the Bocconi Test.

Struggle with mental math and hand calculations.

You get a calculator on the SAT, but you don’t get one on the Bocconi Test. If you have been studying for the Bocconi Test for more than 3 weeks but are still having problems with the actual calculations (not understanding what to do but the mechanics), then the SAT may be a better fit for you.

The SAT is Harder for Students Who

Are in the French system.

This statement is very general, but the students we have had in the French system tend to do better on the Bocconi Test than they did on the SAT. Half of your SAT score is reading and writing, whereas only 11 Bocconi questions are based on reading. (Generally none of our students have issues with Bocconi critical thinking questions once we show them the methodology.) Many of the SAT verbal questions are designed to be tricky for native English speakers, which can throw off native French speakers studying in the French system. We usually recommend that these students take the Bocconi Test.

Have trouble focusing on longer tests.

The SAT is about one hour longer than the Bocconi Test. Usually students with ADHD, learning disabilities, test taking anxiety, or who just want more time per question do better on the Bocconi Test.

Need to improve their SAT score by more than 250 points.

We’ve have heard from past students that Bocconi’s average applicant SAT score is 1350 and their average accepted score is 1450. These are dream scores for most SAT test-takers. If you need a score improvement of 250 points or more to get there, we recommend taking the Bocconi Test. In general, we have found that it is easier for students to improve their scores on the Bocconi Test than it is for them to improve their SAT scores.

Moreover, there really isn’t a way to easily compare scores from the SAT and the Bocconi Test. They’re just very different tests. In our experience, though, it is easier to score a 30+ on the Bocconi Test than it is to get a 1350 on the SAT.

How to Decide if the Bocconi Test is harder than the SAT for YOU

We don’t need to speculate which test is better for you…

You can find out.

Do a practice test for each one!

Take a practice SAT.

There are 6 official Digital SAT practice tests just waiting for you. Follow these steps to find out your potential score:

Go to https://bluebook.collegeboard.org/students and download the Bluebook app. All of the practice tests can be accessed here. We recommend using a laptop or desktop for the best testing experience.
Create a College Board account so you can save and review your results later. You don’t need to fill in all the marketing questions.
Take practice test 1 using the correct timing.
Complete the test in one sitting.
Go back to the app (it links you back to the website) to view your score.

If you score higher than 1300, the SAT is probably a better test for you to take than the Bocconi Test. With practice, you will be able to increase your score so that it is competitive for application and admission.

Take a practice Bocconi Test.

Go to https://info.unibocconi.it/info/session.php?tipo=T&lingua=eng&key=SIMU and register to take the Bocconi Test simulation.
You will receive a series of emails and create log-ins.
Save the email with the link to the simulation because you need to use that link to access your test again.
Take undergraduate English Econ simulation 1.
Complete the test in one sitting. You can’t go back on the test so only skip questions you know you don’t know. The test is fast paced so try to make it to the end.
You have to calculate your score manually.

When you review your simulation results, there will be a panel that has all the question numbers with green, red, or yellow boxes. You get:

1 point for green questions (corrects)
0 points for yellow questions (blanks)
-0.2 points for red questions (incorrects)

If you score higher than 25, the Bocconi Test is probably a better test for you to take than the SAT. You should be able to improve your score with targeted practice.

Still don’t know if the Bocconi Test is harder than the SAT for YOU? Ask us! Click the Whatsapp button to send us a message.

Get the Advantage on the Bocconi Test!

Whatsapp us to chat with an instructor with more than 15 years of experience teaching test preparation to students just like you. Our one-on-one private tutoring will help you gain the confidence you need to boost your score!

Want to know more first? Check out how we recommend studying for the Bocconi test.