BEC (Business English Certificate)
There are three BEC exams - BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage and BEC Higher - which test English language ability used in the context of business. They are ideal if you are preparing for a career in business.
The BEC exams are linked to the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and to the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's National Standards for Literacy, within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Why take BEC?
- 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 much greater flexibility if you want to work abroad.
- An internationally recognised business qualification can help you show that you have learned English to an appropriate standard and can use it in a professional context
What does each of them involve?
BEC Preliminary
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Reading & Writing |
1 hour 30 minutes |
In the Reading part 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 part is 25% of the total marks.
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Listening |
40 minutes (approx.) |
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 paper is 25% of the total marks. |
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Speaking |
12 minutes per pair of candiates (approx.) |
The Speaking Test is conducted by two external examiners and candidates are tested in pairs. At centres with an uneven number of candidates, the last single candidate is examined with the last pair in a group of three. (N.B. The group of three format may only be used to deal with uneven numbers, unexpected absence of candidates, illness, etc. It is not an option that may be selected in normal circumstances where there is an even number of candidates at a session.
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BEC Vantage
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Reading |
1 hour |
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. The Reading paper is 25% of the total marks. |
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Writing |
45 minutes |
In the Writing paper 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 paper is 25% of the total marks. |
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Listening |
40 minutes (approx.) |
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. The Listening paper is 25% of the total marks. |
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Speaking |
1 4 minutes per pair of candiates (approx.) |
The Speaking Test is conducted by two external examiners and candidates are tested in pairs. At centres with an uneven number of candidates, the last single candidate is examined with the last pair in a group of three. (N.B. The group of three format may only be used to deal with uneven numbers, unexpected absence of candidates, illness, etc. It is not an option that may be selected in normal circumstances where there is an even number of candidates at a session.)
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BEC Higher
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Reading |
1 hour |
In the Reading paper there are six tasks of the following types: multiple choice, matching, word level gap-filling, sentence level gap-filling, multiple choices gap-filling and error identification. The Reading paper is 25% of the total marks. |
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Writing |
1 hour 10 minutes |
In the Writing paper there are two tasks. In Part One candidate 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 paper is 25% of the total marks. |
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Listening |
40 minutes (approx.) |
In the Listening paper there are three tasks of the following types: gap-filling or note completion, matching and multiple choices. Texts used are monologues and dialogues, including interviews, discussions, telephone conversations and messages. The Listening paper is 25% of the total marks. |
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Speaking |
16 minutes per pair of candiates (approx.) |
The Speaking Test is conducted by two external examiners and candidates are tested in pairs. At centres with an uneven number of candidates, the last single candidate is examined with the last pair in a group of three. (N.B. The group of three formats may only be used to deal with uneven numbers, unexpected absence of candidates, illness, etc. It is not an option that may be selected in normal circumstances where there is an even number of candidates at a session.) |
Results
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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 papers, so you do not need to reach a particular level in any component in order to achieve a pass in the examination.
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There are two pass grades - Pass with Merit and Pass. There are two fail grades - Narrow Fail and Fail.
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You will also receive a statement of results which shows your performance in each paper. These are shown against the scale Exceptional - Good - Borderline - Weak and indicate your relative performance in each paper. If you pass, you will be awarded a certificate from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.
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Once awarded Cambridge ESOL BEC certificates are valid for life.
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"What I like about BEC, and I’m responsible for running the BEC courses in Siemens, is it’s very credible, the kind of things they have to do in the exam are the sort of things they need to in their work. If they’ve been through the BEC process we can then feel confident that they are able to deal with the tasks in their office” _ James Schofield, Siemens |
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“In comparison with other English examinations, I think that BEC is very practical and helpful with my career that is why I chose BEC” _ Yuan Di, Customer Development Dept. Unilever, Wuhan |
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“Our students are technically competent and have a strong work ethic but they miss out on communication skills especially spoken English. BEC is very practical and relevant and has helped our students become more competent and confident by improving language proficiency” _ Mr Jatindranath Swain Commissioner of Technical Education Government of Tamil Nadu, India |