More than ever, a good knowledge of English is needed to succeed in international business and commerce. If you can show you have relevant language skills, you’ll have a great advantage in the jobs market and more choice if you want to work or study abroad.
The Business English Certificates (BEC) are for individuals who want to have a business-related English language qualification.
BEC Higher is aimed at advanced level students who are working or preparing to work in business ranging from general office to production and financial services. It is aligned with Level C1 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework. It corresponds to the Cambridge level of CAE.
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.
BEC Higher has four papers, each carrying 25% of the total marks:
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Reading (60 minutes)
In the Reading paper there are five tasks of the following types: multiple choice, matching, sentence level gap-filling, multiple choice gap-filling and error identification. |
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Writing (90 minutes)
In the Writing paper there are two tasks. In Part One a candidate produces a short report (based on graphic input, approx. 120–140 words). In Part Two, a candidate chooses whether to write a report, proposal or piece of business correspondence. |
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Listening (40 minutes)
In the Listening paper 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. |
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Speaking (14 minutes)
The candidates are tested in pair and during the test 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. |
The minimum successful performance which a candidate typically requires in order to pass the exam corresponds to about 60% of the total marks.
There are no pass/fail marks for individual papers, so you do not need to reach a particular level in any component in order to achieve a pass in the examination. There are two pass grades — Pass with Merit and Pass.
Once awarded, Cambridge ESOL BEC certificates are valid for life.
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