What to expect on the UniMi MEF
Honest, no-hype information about the exam — what we know, what we don't, and how to calibrate your preparation.
Exam structure
Overall difficulty
Accessible — questions test foundational understanding, not advanced proofs. Most candidates who studied the basics report finishing well within the time limit.
Question style
Multiple-choice, single correct answer, conducted entirely in English. Questions are either definitional ('what does R² measure?') or short calculation-based ('find the derivative of…'). No multi-step proofs.
Time per question
~1.5 minutes per question. Most candidates finish in 30–45 minutes — the 60-minute window is generous. Prioritise math/stats calculations early and leave conceptual economics for last.
What's on the exam
Area A: Mathematics & Statistics
20 questions- Linear Algebra: matrices, determinants, systems of linear equations
- Calculus: functions of one and several variables, derivatives, partial derivatives
- Optimisation: constrained and unconstrained, finding critical points
- Probability: random variables, discrete/continuous distributions (Normal, Binomial), expectation, variance
- Inferential Statistics: hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, point estimation
- Regression: OLS linear regression, R², interpreting output (often shown in R/Stata format)
Area B: Economics & Business/Finance
20 questions- Microeconomics: consumer choice, supply and demand, market structures (perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly), game theory basics
- Macroeconomics: national income accounting, IS-LM model, aggregate demand/supply, inflation, unemployment, monetary policy
- Corporate Finance: NPV, time value of money, compounding/discounting, elementary stock and bond valuation
- Business basics: double-entry bookkeeping concepts, simple interest
Topics reported by past takers
| Subject | Specific topics seen | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Logarithmic inequalities (e.g. log|x| ≤ 1), product/chain rule derivatives, domain of functions, basic matrix determinants | Surface level / Elementary |
| Statistics & Econometrics | Standard normal distribution, interpreting regression R² and coefficient output (sometimes shown as R/Stata-style printout), basic probability | Conceptual |
| Economics | Supply and demand shifts, market structures (monopoly vs. competition), IS-LM logic, basic monetary policy mechanics | Logic-based |
| Finance | Present value / NPV definitions, simple compounding, double-entry bookkeeping basics | Basic definitions |
What recent test-takers say
“I prepared for around a week and was mentally stressed. But when the test was shown I was kind of pissed because it was easy. Be prepared — it will just ask beginner-level stuff. Just understand the basics of each.”
— April session taker
“They were all basic questions (1 hour long MCQ) and I was done in like half an hour or so.”
— Anonymous taker
“The exam was mostly mathematics — I think almost half the exam was that. About logarithms, functions, some type of statistics. The economics questions and finance were the basic types and most of them were logic. Most of math was surface level. I had one question saying log|x| ≤ 1 or something like that.”
— May session taker
“The waiting time in Zoom before the test begins is brutal. We waited almost 2 hours just for check-in. Make sure your phone is plugged in and you have nothing else planned that day.”
— Test-day logistics complaint
Test-day logistics
- You will connect to a Zoom or MS Teams proctored session. Check-in, passport verification, and room scanning are done live — groups of ~15–20 candidates are processed one by one.
- Set up a smartphone as a secondary camera on a book stack or stand. It must capture your hands, desk surface, and laptop screen simultaneously. Do a 360° room scan before the test begins.
- Delays of 1–3 hours before the test link is released are widely reported. Block your full morning or afternoon. Have water, a charger for your phone, and a quiet room secured.
- You can be exempt from the written test if you hold an Italian Bachelor's degree (L-18, L-33, or L-41) with a final grade of 105/110 or higher.
- Non-EU visa applicants must sit the May session at the latest. EU candidates can sit June or July sessions.
What this platform covers
- Mathematics & Statistics: calculus, derivatives, linear algebra, probability, hypothesis testing, regression
- Economics & Finance: microeconomics, macroeconomics, NPV, time value of money, bond/equity basics
- Multiple-choice practice in the exact 40-question / 60-minute format
- No-penalty scoring — all 40 questions should always be answered
What it does not cover
- No official past papers exist — UniMi does not publish them
- The proctoring process itself (Zoom/Teams setup, identity check, room scan)
- The optional MS Teams interview that some candidates are invited to after the written test
- Italian language content — the real exam is conducted entirely in English
Exam-day tips
- 1Answer every single question — there is no penalty for wrong answers. Never leave a blank.
- 2Block off a full half-day for test day. Proctoring check-in, identity verification, and Zoom/Teams setup routinely delays the start by 1–3 hours. Have your phone fully charged and placed on a stand showing your desk and screen.
- 3Focus on calculus rules (product/chain rule, log inequalities), basic matrix operations, standard normal distribution, and R² / regression interpretation — these are the most frequently reported topics.
- 4Do not prepare for complex proofs. The questions test whether you know the definition or can apply a formula in one or two steps, not whether you can derive it from scratch.
Recommended preparation resources
- Sydsæter & Hammond – Mathematics for Economic Analysis (core calculus and optimisation)
- Stock & Watson – Introduction to Econometrics (statistics and regression chapters)
- Varian – Intermediate Microeconomics (consumer theory, market structures)
- Blanchard – Macroeconomics (IS-LM, national accounting, monetary policy)
- University of Pavia (UniPV) MSc Finance sample tests — widely recommended by past takers as the closest available proxy for difficulty and format
Community signal
Candidates consistently describe the test as easier than expected. The most common feedback: 'I was stressed going in and a bit annoyed at how basic it was.' The main difficulty is logistical — the proctoring setup can delay the start by up to 3 hours.
This product is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Milan. Question content is independently authored for preparation purposes. Official exam details may change — check the UniMi website before your session.