The BEC examinations are a series of proficiency tests designed to meet the international business needs of learners of English as a foreign language.

Recognition of BEC is increasing rapidly as a growing number of companies are using the examination as a focus for in-company training courses.

BEC examinations assess reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in work-related situations. The 'business' aspect of this examination affects the vocabulary, the types of texts selected and the situations presented in the tasks.

They are available at three levels of difficulty:

			Business English Certificates (BEC) Preliminary is aimed at elementary and lower-intermediate levels of competence (the same level as PET in the Main Suite examinations) for the 17+ age group. It is designed for students working in business or preparing to work in a range of business fields. It is also designed to encourage development towards BEC Vantage.
			Business English Certificates (BEC) Vantage is aimed at intermediate students (the same level as FCE in the Main Suite examinations) working in or preparing to work in a range of business fields, from general office work to production and financial services.
			Business English Certificates (BEC) Higher is aimed at students at an advanced level similar to that of the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE). Learners at this level will be expected to engage in extended conversation, contribute effectively to meetings and seminars, write reports, understand most correspondence, articles and reports, use the telephone for a range of purposes and negotiate successfully in a variety situations.

As of September 2009 all Cambridge ESOL Business English Certificate are being nationalised free of charge. All candidates passing the BEC examination successfully will automatically receive a state acknowledged Hungarian business English certificate

This certificate enables candidates to obtain an MA or BSc diploma. These exams are suitable for those candidates who are preparing for a career in business and would like to improve their chances in job market. A growing number of Hungarian as well as international companies use the BEC exams as part of their staff development programme.

The BEC examinations are also available in a computer based format.