BEC is available at three levels so you can choose an examination that matches your level of English language skills and your professional needs.
BEC Preliminary assesses language ability used in the context of business at the Council of Europe's Threshold Level (B1) for general language proficiency, which is Entry Level 3 in the UK National Qualifications Framework.
Components
Examination contents
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Test of Reading and Writing (1 hour 30 minutes) |
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Test of Listening (approximately 40 minutes including time for completion of answer sheets) |
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Test of Speaking (approximately 12 minutes per pair of candidates) |
In the Reading component there are seven tasks of the following types: multiple choice, matching, Right/Wrong/Doesn't Say, multiple-choice gap-filling and form-filling. The Reading component contributes 25% of the total marks.In the Writing component there are two tasks, both compulsory. Candidates produce a piece of internal company communication (approx. 30 - 40 words) and a piece of business communication (based on Reading input, approx. 60 - 80 words). The Writing component contributes 25% of the total marks.
In the Listening component there are four tasks of the following types: multiple choice, gap-filling and form-filling. Texts used are monologues and dialogues, including interviews, discussions, telephone conversations and messages. The Listening component contributes 25% of the total marks.
The Speaking Test is conducted by two external examiners and candidates are tested in pairs. There are four tasks in which each candidate responds to questions, gives a 'mini-presentation' lasting approximately one minute, takes part in a collaborative task with the other candidate and takes part in a discussion with the other candidate and the interlocutor. The Speaking component contributes 25% of the total marks.
Grading
A single, overall grade is awarded, based on the aggregate of marks gained in the four components indicated above. There are no pass/fail marks for individual components, hence there is no requirement to reach a particular level in any component in order to achieve a pass in the examination.Two classes of passing grade are available, Pass with Merit and Pass and two classes of failing grade, Narrow Fail and Fail.All candidates are provided with a Statement of Results, which includes a graphical display of the candidate's performance in each paper. These are shown against the scale Exceptional / Good / Borderline / Weak and indicate the candidate's relative performance in each paper. Passing candidates are awarded a certificate.
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BEC Vantage assesses language ability used in the context of business at the Council of Europe's Vantage Level (B2) for general language proficiency, which is Level 1 in the UK National Qualifications Framework.
Components
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Test of Reading (1 hour) |
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Test of Writing (45 minutes) |
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Test of Listening (approximately 40 minutes including time for completion of answer sheets) |
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Test of Speaking (approximately 14 minutes per pair of candidates) |
In the Reading component there are five tasks of the following types: multiple choice, matching, sentence level gap-filling, multiple-choice gap-filling and error identification. The Reading component contributes 25% of the total marks.
In the Writing component there are two tasks, both compulsory. Candidates produce a piece of internal company communication (approx. 40 - 50 words) and a short report, proposal or piece of business correspondence (based on Reading input, approx. 120 - 140 words). The Writing component contributes 25% of the total marks.
In the Listening component there are three tasks of the following types: gap filling or note completion, matching and multiple choice. Texts used are monologues and dialogues, including interviews, discussions, telephone conversations and messages. The Listening component contributes 25% of the total marks.
The Speaking Test is conducted by two external examiners and candidates are tested in pairs. There are four tasks in which each candidate responds to questions, gives a 'mini-presentation' lasting approximately one minute, takes part in a collaborative task with the other candidate and takes part in a discussion with the other candidate and the interlocutor. The Speaking component contributes 25% of the total marks.
Grading
A single, overall grade is awarded, based on the aggregate of marks gained in the four components indicated above. There are no pass/fail marks for individual components, hence there is no requirement to reach a particular level in any component in order to achieve a pass in the examination.Three classes of passing grade are available, A, B and C and two classes of failing grade, D and E.All candidates are provided with a Statement of Results which includes a graphical display of the candidate's performance in each paper. These are shown against the scale Exceptional / Good / Borderline / Weak and indicate the candidate's relative performance in each paper. Passing candidates are awarded a certificate.
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BEC Higher assesses language ability used in the context of business at the Council of Europe's Effective Operational Proficiency Level (C1) for general language proficiency, which is Level 2 in the UK National Qualifications Framework.
Components
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Test of Reading (1 hour) |
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Test of Writing (1 hour 10 minutes) |
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Test of Listening (approximately 40 minutes including time for completion of answer sheets) |
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Test of Speaking (approximately 16 minutes per pair of candidates) |
In the Reading component there are six tasks of the following types: multiple choice, matching, word level gap-filling, sentence level gap-filling, multiple choice gap-filling and error identification. The Reading component contributes 25% of the total marks.
In the Writing component there are two tasks. In Part One candidates produce a short report (based on graphic input, approx. 120 - 140 words). In Part Two candidates choose whether to write a report, proposal or piece of business correspondence. The Writing component contributes 25% of the total marks.
In the Listening component there are three tasks of the following types: gapfilling or note completion, matching and multiple choice. Texts used are monologues and dialogues, including interviews, discussions, telephone conversations and messages. The Listening component contributes 25% of the total marks.
The Speaking Test is conducted by two external examiners and candidates are tested in pairs. There are four tasks in which each candidate responds to questions, gives a 'mini-presentation' lasting approximately one minute, takes part in a collaborative task with the other candidate and takes part in a discussion with the other candidate and the interlocutor. The Speaking component contributes 25% of the total marks.
Grading
A single, overall grade is awarded, based on the aggregate of marks gained in the four components indicated above. There are no pass/fail marks for individual components, hence there is no requirement to reach a particular level in any component in order to achieve a pass in the examination.Three classes of passing grade are available, A, B and C and two classes of failing grade, D and E.All candidates are provided with a Statement of Results which includes a graphical display of the candidate's performance in each paper. These are shown against the scale Exceptional / Good / Borderline / Weak and indicate the candidate's relative performance in each paper. Passing candidates are awarded a certificate.
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