Logic puzzles
Orderings, truth and lies, matchings, counting puzzles and questions of sufficient information. Logic puzzles is tested in the Critical thinking section of the Bocconi Test, which has 9 of the 50 questions (75 minutes in total, 2027/28 format). This guide covers it in 5 lessons, each with the rule that solves it and a diagram.
Ordering and seating puzzles
Draw the places; place fixed clues first, then blocks (“next to”, “immediately after”), then relative and negative clues. Split into cases when a clue allows two positions. Must = every solution, could = at least one.
Truth-tellers and liars
Assume a case (who did it, who is a knight), evaluate every statement and count the true ones. Two statements that contradict each other contain exactly one truth; a contradiction rules a case out.
Matching puzzles
For “who does what, where” puzzles use a ✓/✗ grid. Fill direct clues first, then clues that link two attributes; two ✗ in a line of three force the ✓, and a clue implied by others adds nothing.
Counting puzzles
Count something global first: matches, points, worst cases. Draws = 3 × matches − total points; “to be sure” means the unluckiest case; n weighings find a light coin among 3ⁿ.
Sufficient information
You do not need the answer, only whether it can be found. Test statement 1 alone, statement 2 alone, then both together; a definite “no” is also an answer. Never carry one statement into the other’s test.
What is the Bocconi Test format?
Online Bocconi Test for admission in academic year 2027/28, as published by Università Bocconi.
- Questions / time
- 50 / 75 minutes
- Distribution
- 24 mathematics · 11 reading · 6 numerical reasoning · 9 critical thinking
- Scoring
- +1 correct · 0 blank · −0.2 wrong
- Question languages
- English · Italian
- Three-option questions
- Some critical thinking questions have three options; a wrong answer there costs −0.33
- Minimum score
- Below 17 points the test is not considered for selection
- AI degree
- Mathematical and Computing Sciences for Artificial Intelligence also needs at least 11 of 24 points in mathematics
- Law test
- A separate test, 50 questions / 75 minutes: 5 mathematics · 11 reading · 6 numerical reasoning · 18 logic and critical thinking · 10 verbal reasoning; same scoring
Source: Università Bocconi, Online Bocconi Test page (checked October 7, 2026)
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