Assessment is carried out by:
- taking an exam in Bocconi, or
- international certification recognized by the University.
Bocconi exam
The assessment is carried out by taking an exam which tests comprehension skills and knowledge of written and spoken language depending on the level of competence to be achieved.
The first-year exam for the first foreign language is a prerequisite of the second-year exam and the second-year exam is a prerequisite of the fourth-year exam.The second foreign language includes a partial exam (optional) to be taken in the I semester and a final exam to be taken in the II semester of the first year of studies.
Exams follow the same standards as those set for international certifications.
Assessment of foreign language knowledge depends on the final exam result as well as other means of evaluation to check progress made during the course of studies:
- for the first foreign language
- positive results each year for active classroom participation and guided independent study;
- for the second foreign language
- active classroom participation;
- passing partial exam.
The grade achieved is included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA).
The level of competence achieved is recorded on the official exam report and on the official academic transcript.
Exit levels which are higher than those foreseen for curricular exams of first and second languages are only possible through the registration in the student's academic career of any international certifications recognized by the University.
International certifications
As an alternative to the Bocconi exam students may choose to take one of the international certifications exams indicated by the University, requesting to convert the achieved result into a number grade out of a possible thirty and to report it in the student's academic career by the Language Centre Office.
The level of the certifications presented must be for each language equal to or higher than the exit levels (in accordance with the criteria indicated in paragraph 2.4.4 "Exit levels").
International certification is registered in the student's academic career and it is valid for 3 years.
It should be noted that certifications which are presented as an alternative to the first foreign language exam (general language), which are equal to or higher than the required level, substitute both the first-year and second-year exams.
For both the first and second foreign languages, international certifications may be deposited starting with the first year of studies. In any case, the related credit points and marks are attributed to the year of studies of the course. If, for example, students present a B2 level certification during their first year as an alternative to first foreign language exam (English general use), 1 credit point is awarded during the first year along with the grade achieved and the remaining 2 credit points will be awarded in the second year, along with the grade achieved.
With respect to the first foreign language exam (general use) it should be noted that in order to be registered in the student's academic career, an international foreign language certification should respond to the following:
- if the certification is presented during the first year of studies: 1 credit point will be registered in the student's academic career for the first year of studies and 2 credit points will be registered for the second year of studies; in this case only the first year credit is calculated to pass from the first to the second year of studies and only if the certification is presented by 15 July 2008;
- if the certification is presented during the second years of studies or later, the student will be lacking the credit points necessary for the exams of each year until these are registered.
With respect to the first foreign language exam (general use) there are two possibilities regarding the registration of an international certification in their academic career:
- student has not taken the Bocconi exam: the grade will be given as the result of both the first and second exam;
- student has already taken the first Bocconi exam and has it registered in his/her academic career: the grade will be given as the result of the second exam.
International foreign language certifications can be received by sitting an exam with an official examination centre, both in Italy and abroad.
Students are responsible for any costs related to exams certification.
International certifications which are recognized for the various exams can be found at http://www.unibocconi.it/languagecentre in International certifications.
For students who are interested in the Bocconi exam or certification exams, the Language Centre provides information and guidance on exam assessment methods. Specific materials for exam preparation and past exam papers are also available at the language laboratory.
