Bocconi Specialized Masters Test flashcards

30 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Percentage change formula

Divide the difference by the original value and multiply by 100. Using the new value as the denominator understates a fall, so always anchor the calculation on the starting figure.

Compound interest formula

A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt), where P is principal, r the annual rate as a decimal, n the compounding periods per year, and t the number of years.

Alligation rule

When mixing two solutions of concentrations x1 and x2 to reach mixture concentration m, the ratio of their quantities equals the absolute difference between x2 and m over that between m and x1.

Combined work formula

If worker A needs a days and worker B needs b days alone, working together they finish in ab/(a+b) days, because their rates of work add rather than their times.

Average speed for equal distances

When two equal distances are covered at speeds v1 and v2, the average speed is the harmonic mean 2v1v2/(v1+v2), not the arithmetic mean of the two speeds.

Quadratic discriminant test

For ax² + bx + c = 0, the discriminant b² − 4ac determines the roots: positive gives two distinct real roots, zero one repeated root, negative no real roots.

Combinations versus permutations

Permutations count ordered selections, n!/(n−r)!; combinations count unordered ones, n!/[r!(n−r)!]. Choose combinations when the order of chosen items is irrelevant.

Conditional probability rule

P(A|B) equals P(A∩B) divided by P(B), provided P(B) is greater than zero. Rearranging gives the multiplication rule P(A∩B) = P(A|B)P(B).

Sufficient versus necessary condition

'A if B' makes B sufficient for A; 'A only if B' makes B necessary for A. Confusing the two is the most common flaw in conditional-reasoning items.

Contrapositive equivalence

The statement 'if A then B' is logically equivalent to 'if not B then not A'. The converse, 'if B then A', is not equivalent and often appears as a trap option.

Valid syllogism pattern

All M are P and all S are M together force all S are P. Two negative premises, or two particular premises, cannot support a universal conclusion.

Negation test for assumptions

To find a required assumption, negate each candidate answer. If the negation makes the argument fall apart, that candidate is the assumption the reasoning depends on.

Weakening a causal claim

Offer reverse causation, a common cause affecting both variables, or a selection effect. Attacking the link between evidence and conclusion weakens more than denying the evidence.

Number-series strategy

Test operations in order: constant difference, constant ratio, alternating operations, second differences, and two interleaved sequences at odd and even positions.

Ordering puzzle method

Draw positions in a line or circle, then place the most constrained item first. 'Immediately before' fixes adjacency, whereas 'somewhere before' only fixes relative order.

Main idea versus detail

A main-idea answer must cover the entire passage. An option that is true but confined to a single paragraph is a supporting detail and therefore incorrect.

Inference question standard

The correct inference must be entailed by the passage alone. Options requiring outside knowledge, or using stronger terms than the text supports, are wrong.

Scope words in options

Words like all, only, never, and primarily set the strength of a claim. Extreme options are usually wrong unless the passage itself states the claim absolutely.

Author tone classification

Identify whether the author is neutral, critical, approving, or skeptical by locating evaluative adjectives in the author's own voice, not adjectives quoted from opposing views.

EXCEPT question method

Check each option against the passage and eliminate the three that are supported. The remaining option, which the passage does not support, is the answer.

Vocabulary in context

Substitute each candidate word into the original sentence and keep only the one that preserves the sentence's meaning. The most common dictionary sense is often a distractor.

Signal words for structure

However marks contrast, therefore marks a conclusion, for instance marks an example, and critics argue introduces an opposing view. These words map the passage's argument.

Subject-verb agreement rule

The verb agrees with the head noun of the subject, not with a noun in an intervening phrase. 'The list of items is long' is correct because list is singular.

Indefinite pronoun agreement

Each, either, neither, everyone, and nobody are grammatically singular and take singular verbs, even when they refer to several people in meaning.

Dangling modifier rule

An introductory participial phrase must describe the subject of the main clause. 'Walking home, I saw rain' works; 'walking home, the rain fell' does not.

Parallel structure rule

Items joined by and, or, or not only…but also must share grammatical form, such as all infinitives, all gerunds, or all noun phrases.

Fewer versus less

Use fewer and number with countable plural nouns; use less and amount with uncountable mass nouns. 'Fewer students' but 'less time' is the standard distinction.

Third conditional form

The third conditional uses if plus past perfect in the condition and would have plus past participle in the result, expressing unreal situations in the past.

Common preposition collocations

Fixed pairs include depend on, consist of, capable of, interested in, responsible for, and according to. These are tested as errors in formal written English.

Formal academic register

Formal writing avoids contractions and vague quantifiers, preferring precise verbs such as demonstrates and precise adjectives such as significant over informal equivalents like shows a lot and big.