WU Vienna Finance Entrance Exam

The Finance Master’s program at WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) is highly competitive, and the Aufnahmeprüfung (entrance exam) is a significant hurdle for aspiring students. This exam rigorously assesses candidates’ quantitative skills, analytical abilities, and knowledge of fundamental finance and economics concepts. Success requires dedicated preparation and a solid understanding of the required topics.

Exam Structure

While the exact format may vary slightly year to year, the Finance Aufnahmeprüfung typically consists of a written exam. The questions are predominantly quantitative, requiring calculations, problem-solving, and interpretation of data. Expect a mix of multiple-choice questions and potentially some open-ended problems.

Key Topics to Master

The exam covers a wide range of topics, emphasizing a strong foundation in:

• Financial Accounting: Understanding financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement), key accounting ratios, and the ability to analyze a company’s financial performance.
• Corporate Finance: Core concepts like time value of money, net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), capital budgeting, cost of capital, and dividend policy. Be prepared to apply these concepts in practical scenarios.
• Investments: Portfolio theory (risk and return, diversification), asset pricing models (CAPM, APT), bond valuation, stock valuation, and derivatives (options, futures) at a basic level.
• Microeconomics: Supply and demand, market equilibrium, elasticity, consumer and producer surplus, cost analysis, and market structures.
• Macroeconomics: GDP, inflation, unemployment, monetary and fiscal policy, and international trade.
• Mathematics and Statistics: A solid understanding of calculus (differentiation, integration), linear algebra, probability, statistics (hypothesis testing, regression analysis), and basic econometrics. This is crucial for tackling the quantitative problems.

Preparation Strategies

Effective preparation is key to success. Here’s a recommended approach:

• Review Fundamental Concepts: Thoroughly revise all the topics listed above. Use textbooks, lecture notes, and online resources to solidify your understanding.
• Practice with Past Exams: Obtain and work through previous years’ Aufnahmeprüfung papers. This will familiarize you with the exam format, question types, and difficulty level. Pay attention to the time constraints and practice answering questions under pressure.
• Focus on Quantitative Skills: Sharpen your mathematical and statistical skills. Practice solving problems involving calculations, data analysis, and financial modeling.
• Use Practice Questions and Mock Exams: Supplement past exams with practice questions from textbooks and online resources. Consider taking mock exams to simulate the actual exam environment.
• Seek Feedback: Discuss challenging questions with peers, professors, or tutors to gain different perspectives and improve your understanding.

Important Tips

On the day of the exam, remember the following:

• Manage Your Time: Allocate your time wisely for each question. Don’t spend too long on any single question.
• Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the wording of each question. Misinterpreting a question can lead to incorrect answers.
• Show Your Work: Even if you don’t arrive at the correct answer, showing your work can earn you partial credit.
• Stay Calm and Focused: Anxiety can impair your performance. Take deep breaths and stay focused on the task at hand.

The Finance Aufnahmeprüfung at WU is a challenging but rewarding experience. With diligent preparation and a strong understanding of the required topics, you can significantly increase your chances of success and embark on your journey towards a Master’s degree in Finance.