To succeed in international business and commerce you need a good knowledge of English. If you can show that you have good language skills you will have a great advantage in the jobs market. The Cambridge English Business Certificates (BEC) are internationally recognised qualifications that show employers your skills for using English in the workplace.
BEC is an ideal English language exam if you are preparing for a career in business. There are three different levels of BEC; Cambridge English: Business Preliminary (BEC - P), Cambridge English: Business Vantage (BEC - V) and Cambridge English: Business Higher (BEC - H). They are suitable for adults (aged 16 and over) who are either preparing for a career in business or already in work. The exams cover the same range of language skills as the General English exams, but with the emphasis on activities that are common in business.
All 4 language skills, reading, writing, listening, speaking are assessed.
Cambridge English: Business Preliminary (BEC - P)
Prepares candidates to interact effectively while carrying out routine business transactions, for e.g. speaking to clients over the telephone, writing brief letters, making appointments.
Cambridge English: Business Vantage (BEC - V)
Assesses how candidates can conduct and take part in meetings and teleconferences using skills of negotiation to put across a point of view. Ability to draft letters, memos, minutes of meetings and topics for presentation using appropriate business vocabulary and format.
Cambridge English: Business Higher (BEC - H)
Assesses proficiency in the use of English for making presentations, negotiating effectively in the promotion of products and services, and in engaging in extended conversations with clients at meetings and seminars.
While you are preparing for the tests you will be learning and practising the skills you will need in real business situations.
Council of Europe levels
All three levels of BEC are clearly linked to the Common European Framework for language assessment, published by the Council of Europe:
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| COUNCIL OF EUROPE LEVEL |
BEC EXAMS |
MAIN SUITE EXAMS |
| B1 |
Preliminary |
PET |
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| B2 |
Vantage |
FCE |
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| C1 |
Higher |
CAE |
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If your English language ability is sufficient for most simple communications, such as shopping, you may consider progressing towards BEC. You should have an understanding of, or interest in, the world of work, business and commerce.
(All three levels - Preliminary, Vantage, Higher)
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EXAM DATES AND REGISTRATIONS |
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| Month |
Written papers |
Speaking test
(window period) |
Registration
period |
| March |
Preliminary
Thursday 14 Vantage
Friday 15 Higher
Wednesday 13 |
9 to 19 March 2013 (all levels) |
3 January to 29 January |
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| June |
Preliminary
Wednesday 5 Vantage
Thursday 6 Higher
Tuesday 4 |
1 to 11 June 2013 (all levels) |
12 March to 24 April |
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| November |
Preliminary
Friday 1 Vantage
Saturday 2 Higher
Thursday 31 |
26 October to 5 November 2013 (all levels) |
3 September to 24 September |
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August
(Computer Based) |
Preliminary
Vantage
Higher Friday 2 |
27 July to 4 August 2013 (all levels) |
25 June to 18 July |
PLEASE NOTE:
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Registration dates, exam dates, venue, fees and minimum requirements for examinations are subject to change at the discretion of British Council or Cambridge ESOL. |
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all closing dates of the computer-based exams are provisional and subject to amendments |
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a limited number of seats are available of the computer-based exams, on a first-come, first-served basis. We may be able to offer additional sessions (subject to a minimum number of candidates registering). Please contact us for further information |
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If the required minimum number of candidates set by the examination board (which is 5 candidates) is not met by the registration closing date of the computer-based exam, the exam will be cancelled and a full refund will be granted to the candidates who had paid their exam fee. |
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The completed application form along with the documents required and the exam fee needs to reach the British Council on or before the registration closing date. No application will be accepted once registrations are closed. Applications received via post or courier will be returned. |
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| Level |
Fee |
| Preliminary (paper based) |
Rs. 6,500/- |
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| Vantage (paper based) |
Rs. 7,700/- |
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| Higher (paper based) |
Rs. 10,000/- |
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| Preliminary (computer based) |
Rs. 6,100/- |
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| Vantage (computer based) |
Rs. 7,100/- |
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| Higher (computer based) |
Rs. 9,300/- |
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collect an application form from the British Council, or download the appropriate application:
- application form for paper-based exams
- application form for computer-based exams |
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download the Information Sheet for Candidates for reference
- paper-based exam
- computer-based exam |
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register by submitting the completed entry form in person or post during the period of registration for a given session. Please submit the following along with your entry:
- two recent passport-size photographs.
- three self addressed envelopes. |
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fees can be paid in cash, by cheque or bank draft (SL Rupees) drawn in favour of 'British Council'. You can also make a bank transfer to the following account (please bring or post the receipt with your application)
Bank name: HSBC
Account name: British Council Sri Lanka
Account number: 001-002377-002
Message: BEC- (your full name) |
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Credit cards are accepted (Visa/Master/Amex) |
Cambridge ESOL is committed to ensuring that Cambridge English exams are recognised by organisations as one of the most valuable and secure English language qualifications available. Therefore it is a requirement that candidates are photographed on the day of the exam.
Find out more:
A confirmation of entry will be issued to all eligible candidates two weeks before the first date of the examination. If you have not received your confirmation document at least one week prior to your examination, please contact the British Council Examination Services on (011) 4521521.
If you are not sure which exam or level you should take, our Examinations staff will advise you based on your past English studies and understanding of past exam papers.
Results of the paper-based exams are issued approximately two/three months after the date of the written exam and the results of the computer-based exams are issued on the 15th day from the written test date. Results sheets will be sent to you via post.
Certificates for successful candidates approximately one month after results are issued. Candidates will be informed in writing for the collection of certificates.
The final grade is an aggregate of the marks achieved in each of the three papers: Reading and Writing, Listening, Speaking. There is no minimum pass mark for each individual paper. You will be awarded the grading 'Pass with Distinction' if you achieve a score of 85 or above in the BEC Preliminary exam; this will also award you level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) assessment.
All the candidates will receive a Statement of Results and the results will be sent to the candidates via post after seven (7) weeks of taking the exam. Certificates will be issued approximately after six (6) weeks from the date results are released. Candidates will be informed in written for the collection of certificates.
In co-operation with Cambridge ESOL, we provide a Special Arrangements Service for candidates with hearing, speech, visual and kinetic difficulties, as well as for candidates with learning difficulties such as dyslexia. We also make special arrangements for candidates who have sustained accident-related injuries, such as a broken arm, prior to the day of the exam. Download our Information Sheet for Special Needs Candidates (PDF, 18 KB) for details of how to apply for Special Arrangements.
A refund is granted for candidates who produce a written notice of registration withdrawal before the final registration date of the exam, as published by the British Council. The refund will consist of the local fee, less an administrative fee of Rs.2000.
Instances where notice is given after a the final registration date of the exam the fee will be forfeited in its entirety. An exception to this rule is a registration withdrawal on medical grounds. Candidates who are able to produce a medical certificate within 5 working days of the written test will receive a refund, less an administrative fee of Rs.3000.
Following documents are to be submitted for the processing of the refund
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Completed Local Refund Claim Form |
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A medical certificate from a recognised western medical practitioner or a hospital (if the the request for refund is on medical grounds) |
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Confirmation of Entry |
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Receipt issued by British Council for the examination fees paid |
Please note that photocopies of the above documentation will not be accepted.
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