Bocconi Test: how to prepare for the “Comprehension” section?
The Your Dream School team shares its top tips for passing the “Comprehension” section of the Bocconi Test :
Tip 1: Eliminate 4 wrong answers
The most important rule to remember for the Bocconi is that, since there is only one correct answer for each question, you can reason by trying to eliminate all wrong answers. This means that your number one strategy on the test is to proceed by elimination. If you’re struggling with a question, try to come up with reasons for ruling out most answers, rather than reasons why some options might work.
Learn to be extremely picky about which answers to eliminate. This applies particularly to the reading and writing sections. If a question seems subjective, remember that it’s an illusion. All incorrect choices are incorrect for good reason, so it’s up to you to identify the reasons why each answer is wrong until you’re left with only one possibility.
Tip 2: Always understand your mistakes
This is essential if you want to see real improvements. If you take the time to understand each mistake you make on the practice questions, why you made it and what you’ll do to avoid it in the future, it will greatly increase your chances of getting a good score on the test.
Errors generally fall into one of four categories:
#1: Reasoning error
#2: Lack of time (under-managed or stressed)
#3: Problem understanding questions
#4: Inattention error
After you’ve completed a practice test, try to catalog all the questions you’ve answered incorrectly so you can work on detecting typical errors. Have you systematically answered a particular type of math question incorrectly? Did you miss the words “except” or “least” (a careless error) in questions? Have you systematically missed questions at the end of sections (time pressure)?
Whatever your mistakes, you need to understand them completely so that you can solve the problems you encounter and see a positive change in your score!
Tip 3: Pay attention to connotation and context
This tip is essential for answering difficult questions in the comprehension section. Look for words that indicate a positive or negative connotation in the passage.
to which the question refers. This can help you eliminate at least a few choices, even if you don’t know which of the remaining choices is correct.
Context is also very important!Don’t just look at the exact line referenced in the question, look at the surrounding sentences too. Look for contrasting words such as “however”, “rather than” or “yet”. You should also look out for strong adjectives that might help you determine the connotation.
Tip 4: Use evidence-seeking questions to your advantage
Some questions may ask you to choose an extract from the passage that supports your answer to the previous question. These new questions can help you enormously in identifying errors and resolving ambiguities.
For example, suppose you’ve chosen two answers that you think might be correct for a reading question. If the next question asks you to identify the best passage supporting your choice, you can read all the options the question gives you and test which of these sentences connects most directly to one of your two potential answers. Almost invariably, it will become very clear that only one of the two choices is correct, as only this will offer a direct match hidden in one of the answer choices.
Tip 5: Read passages strategically
Try to define a good passage-reading strategy for the Bocconi before test day. This will save you time and stress later on. There are a few methods you can use, depending on your level of comfort with the test and your level of comprehension.
- Method 1: scan the passage first
This is the most recommended method. You can familiarize yourself with the main ideas of the passage without wasting too much time reading it carefully. To skim effectively, simply read the introductory paragraph, the concluding paragraph and the first and last sentences of each body paragraph.
Answer questions about the main idea first, while the general point of the passage is still fresh in your mind. Then you can read specific sections of the passage more closely if necessary to answer questions about small details.
- Method 2: Go straight to the questions
Since the Bocconi Test gives you line numbers for the questions in the comprehension section, skipping the passage altogether can be an effective initial strategy. If you do this, you should first answer the questions on the small details of the passage, so that you end up reading fragments of the passage while answering the questions. Then, when you move on to questions about the main ideas later, you’ll already have a good idea of the message of the passage as a whole.
- Method 3: Read the entire passage
If you’re both a fast and seasoned reader, you may be able to do this without any problems. Just make sure it doesn’t slow you down. The amount of content to read on the Bocconi test can be substantial, so this strategy should be adapted according to the type of test you’re facing on the day.
If you read this way and find that you can save a few minutes (and no points) by using one of the other methods, you should probably favor this one.It’s always better to have extra time at the end to double-check your answers!
Tip 6: Don’t ignore passage introductions
You may be faced with an introduction before a comprehension passage, giving you a bit of background on the passage and its author. This introductory text contains valuable information, and if you skip it, you could miss some easy points.
At the very least, passage introductions give you context about the text you’re about to read (location, characters…). Even if your preferred method is to go straight to the questions, be sure to read the introduction before you do anything else.
Tip 7: Take an in-depth interest in extracts
If you want to retain information while you read passages, the best way to do this is to force yourself to take an in-depth interest in the content of the extracts. Treat it as a learning experience, not a chore. This will make it much easier for you to remember what happened in the passage, and it will also give you more time to deal with the questions.
Tip 8: Look for direct evidence
Although some of the questions in the comprehension section may sometimes seem subjective, the reality is that you should always be able to gather direct evidence from the passage or table you are referring to to support your answer.
Even inference questions, which ask you to look beyond the facts in the passage, will be supported by logical deductions that can be made from the elements presented. For “inference” questions in particular, you may, indeed should, end up looking beyond the extract to its essence.
If you’re thinking of choosing an answer that seems to be correct, but you can’t find any arguments to back it up, it’s probably not the right answer.
Indeed, any answer that cannot be supported by specific information in the passage must necessarily be incorrect.
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