• BEC (Business English Certificates)

    Business English Certificates (BEC) are a suite of Cambridge exams in Business English. BEC exams are designed for those working or going to work in the field of international business. BEC exams assess the ability to use English in the context of international business, as well as the ability to communicate with colleagues and customers at a certain proficiency level of English. BEC tests practical skills of using English in real work situations, but it does not require special knowledge of business. Annually, over 1 000 000 people pass BEC exams and this number is constantly increasing due to the recognition of the certificate worldwide. Employers in different countries require a BEC certificate in the recruitment process. A growing number of companies (e.g. Sony Ericsson, Shell, Vodafone, Bayer, Coca-Cola) use BEC exams as a training course for employees, and universities include this exam in the curriculum. BEC exam is designed for candidates with varying levels of English. It includes tests of three different levels of complexity: BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage, BEC Higher. The BEC exam covers 4 language skills, each assessed separately (excluding BEC P, while Reading and Writing are combined in one unit): Reading; Writing; Listening; Speaking.

    Exam Results
    The total score is the number of points obtained for the entire exam. Thus, you don’t have to get many points in each of the four tests to pass the exam. Final results indicate the way the candidate has passed each test block. They can be viewed online after entering personal data which together with the schedule are sent to the candidates after registration. The results are available in about 2 months after the exam. Certificates are available at the test center in about 6 weeks after the results are announced.
    Business English Certificate (BEC) Preliminary
    Business English Certificate (BEC) Preliminary is an intermediate level exam according to the Common European Framework of Reference. This certification verifies the level of English which allows one to write a resume, fill out a form and provide personal information.
    To pass BEC Preliminary exam candidates are to give at least 65% correct answers.
    Business English Certificate (BEC) Vantage
    Business English Certificate (BEC) Vantage is the second of the three certificates in Business English. This is an upper-intermediate level exam according to the Common European Framework of Reference. The candidates should be able to use English in everyday business communication, welcome visitors and perform adequately in different office situations.
    Candidates who have successfully passed the BEC Vantage exam get the following grades:
    A (80-100%);
    B (75-79%);
    C (60-74%).
    Candidates who have not passed the exam get the following grades:
    D (55-59%);
    E (0-54%).
    For more information, please visit www.CambridqeESOL.org