Eligibility

BEC is a suite of three exams designed to test English language ability used in the context of business. 

BEC is the right exam for you if the following describes your linguistic skills now or the level of skills you are working towards:

• Your first language is not English.
• Your English language ability is sufficient for most simple communications, such as shopping.
• You have an understanding of or an interest in the world of work, business and commerce.

Exam Components

BEC can be taken at three different levels, and candidates are assessed in four key areas at each level – listening, speaking, reading and writing. The tasks and questions are based on real-life business situations. 

BEC Preliminary: Level B1

Reading and Writing: 1 hour 30 minutes
Listening: 40 minutes
Speaking: 12 minutes

This level tests candidates on their ability to use English to carry out basic office skills such as being able to read short messages, interpret charts, write a short e-mail, follow short telephone conversations and discussions, and talk about a business-related matter. 

BEC Vantage: Level B2

Reading: 1 hour
Writing: 45 minutes
Listening: 40 minutes
Speaking: 14 minutes

This level tests similar skills to BEC Preliminary but to a higher standard. Candidates are required to show they can write a short piece of business correspondence, a report or proposal, read extracts from business publications as well as listen to, understand and contribute to discussions on business topics. 

BEC Higher: Level C1

Reading: 1 hour
Writing: 1 hour 10 minutes
Listening: 40 minutes
Speaking: 16 minutes

This level tests similar skills at an advanced level. Candidates are required to show they can write a longer piece of business correspondence, report or proposal, read longer business articles, summarise graphs as well as take part in discussions and express opinions on a topic. 

Test Schedule and Fees

Session:    Mid-year 2011

BEC Preliminary
Exam Date:   08 June 2011
Speaking Test Window: 03 June to 13 June 2011

BEC Vantage
Exam Date:   09 June 2011
Speaking Test Window: 03 June to 13 June 2011

BEC Higher
Exam Date:   07 June 2011
Speaking Test Window: 03 June to 13 June 2011 

Session:    Year-end 2011

BEC Preliminary
Exam Date: 26 Nov 2011
Speaking Test Window: 11 Nov to 28 Nov 2011

BEC Vantage
Exam Date:   03 Dec 2011
Speaking Test Window: 11 Nov to 05 Dec 2011

BEC Higher
Exam Date:   19 Nov 2011
Speaking Test Window: 11 Nov to 21 Nov 2011 

The Speaking paper is held within the specified periods, and the special arrangements are made at the discretion of CEFL Headquarters, taking into account the needs and conditions of CEFL Member Institutions.  

Click here to contact the Cambridge ESOL Centre Exams Manager for the actual exam dates, especially for the Speaking paper, and the latest fees if you are a walk-in/external candidate or feeder school representative. 

Registration

Candidates can register with CEFL Headquarters via CEFL Member Institutions because the BEC exam can only be taken at an Authorised Centre for the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, and entries, which must be accompanied by fees, cannot be sent directly to Cambridge ESOL.  

There must be a minimum of 10 candidates for the BEC exam at each sitting. Candidates are not allowed to enter for the same exam more than once in the same session or window period.  

The closing date for registration is at least 10 weeks before the actual exam date to ensure that exam entry arrangements and Special Arrangements for candidates with a disability or specific learning difficulty can be made in strict accordance with the requirements of the Cambridge ESOL examination board. It should be noted that your nearest authorised Cambridge ESOL exam centre may set registration deadlines that are earlier than those published. 

Click here to contact the Cambridge ESOL Centre Exams Manager for the actual closing dates for entries, exam registration and other arrangements if you are a walk-in/external candidate or feeder school representative.

Results

With the exception of the Speaking paper, all exam scripts are returned to Cambridge ESOL for marking and grading.  

Five or six weeks after the exam, all candidates receive a detailed Statement of Results, showing the relative strengths and weaknesses of the candidates’ performance in each of the papers against the scale Exceptional – Good – Borderline – Weak. The report can be extremely useful for further study. 

A single, overall grade is awarded, based on the aggregate of marks gained in the four components. There are no Pass/Fail marks for individual papers. Candidates do not need to reach a particular level in any component in order to achieve a Pass in the examination.

Successful candidates are awarded the Cambridge ESOL BEC certificate, which is valid for life, approximately 10 weeks after the exam.

If you have any questions about your results, you should contact the CEFL Member Institution where you registered for the exam. 

Click here for general information on Cambridge ESOL Examinations. 

Click here for further information on the CEFL BEC course. 

Click here to find your nearest CEFL Centre that offers a preparatory course for the BEC exam.