5 Secrets of the BBE Entrance Exam
April 14, 2024 - Nicolas
Want to get accepted to BBE? This blog post reveals five important secrets to mastering the critical test. From strategic study tips to test-day tactics gleaned from examiners and top scorers, these insights will arm you with essential tools for success.
Updated for 2026/27: Starting with the 2026/27 selection procedure, the WU BBE entrance exam is held in person
1. The in-person exam environment is more intense than you think
Many applicants underestimate the pressure of sitting in a large exam hall alongside hundreds of other candidates. Unlike studying at home, the in-person setting at VIECON comes with its own set of challenges:
The sheer scale of the room, the sound of pens and paper, and the awareness that everyone around you is competing for the same 240 spots can significantly increase your stress levels. If you haven't practiced under timed, exam-like conditions, you may find it hard to stay focused.
You'll need to bring a valid photo ID, your own permitted calculator (find them here), and pens. Make sure you arrive well before the exam starts to find your seat, settle in, and get comfortable with the surroundings. Being rushed or disoriented before the exam even begins is one of the easiest ways to lose your edge.
The best way to prepare for this is to simulate the exam environment beforehand. Time yourself strictly, sit at a desk without distractions, and work through full-length practice papers, like you can find on BBE-Insider.com in one sitting. The more familiar the pressure feels on exam day, the calmer you'll be.
2. Only the last questions matter
The tasks get harder and harder almost exponentially. If you are not optimally prepared for the challenge, you stand little chance against your competition. Knowing concepts is one thing, but being able to handle the stress and keep your cool even in the most intensive situations is what will get you into BBE.
The only way to be truly confident and not be surprised is to know every pitfall before it happens. If you want to know the most common reasons why applicants get rejected, join the BBE Insider course and gain an almost unfair advantage over the others!
3. A critical decision: Hydration & …
Your teachers and parents will always tell you to drink plenty of water and stay well-hydrated, but it’s not that easy during the exam.
Here's the real secret: don't drink too much shortly before the exam. Instead, hydrate well throughout the day and use the toilet right before the exam begins. Once you're seated, you're in for about two hours of focused work, and leaving your seat during the exam is not something you want to deal with. The best practice is to make sure you're comfortable before it starts, so hydration and bathroom timing should be part of your pre-exam routine.
Whatever method you choose, it's crucial that you have a clear strategy in advance. You don't want to lose precious time or focus because you're uncomfortable during the most critical part of the exam. Plan your food and drink intake on exam day the same way you'd plan your study schedule—deliberately.
4. English is the worst part to stand out (most applicants fail here)
English, especially in the context of business and economics, can contain surprisingly hard-to-grasp concepts and words. The English part is merely luck if you think that you don’t have to prepare for this exam topic. Considering that it is only worth a minor share of the total points it might not even make sense for you, if you already have a decent English level.
However, if you want to improve, I recommend the following: Read an article from a respected newspaper about business, and ask yourself: Do you exactly know what each word, collocation, and phrasal verb means? Could you describe everything in detail? If you are even a little unsure of your answer, these are all instances where you could lose a lot of points in the exam.
Most people overestimate the English part. If you want to maximize your chances of acceptance, this is also a part where you can stand out from the competition, just be aware that mathematics and economics are way heavier weighted. While almost everyone thinks that they are already geniuses, you can get ahead of them with intentional and targeted practice.
5. They will ask you university-level questions as well
Did you know the exam includes topics, concepts, and tasks that are actually university material? In a sense, you must show in advance that you can complete the first two semesters without much difficulty.
Many applicants are surprised by this, and the majority of them fall out of the top 240 because of it. Sitting on the outskirts can mean that you come upon questions that you have never seen before and that you don’t know the easiest solution to. These unexpected events can lead to panic, loss of focus, and, ultimately, a rejection letter.
This is exactly why we built the BBE Insider WU BBE Entrance Exam Preparation Course. It gives you tailored advice on how to prepare for all three exam topics—English, Mathematics, and Business & Economics—so you know exactly what to expect and how to tackle it. The course is fully self-guided, meaning you can study at your own pace and structure your preparation however works best for you.
There's a 15-day money-back guarantee, and less than 1% of students ever ask for a refund—because the insights you get are things you simply won't find anywhere else. If you want to be a step ahead of the competition on exam day, this is the smartest investment you can make. Become a true BBE Insider!
