BEC

The Cambridge ESOL Business English Certificates (BEC) are highly recognised and transferable qualifications for career minded individuals who want to succeed in global business.

Business English Certificates (BEC). A qualification that makes business sense 

More than ever, a good knowledge of English is needed by everyone in the global business environment. BEC will help you to identify staff who can use English effectively in a business context. Better English language skills will help improve your company’s communications and operations. 

Companies who employ BEC (qualification) holders will have a greater advantage in business and greater flexibility in overseas placement decisions. 

BEC are internationally recognised qualifications. 

Language skills for practical situations 

Universities all over the world use BEC to help students to prepare for the workplace. 

Leading international companies recognise BEC. 

BEC is officially recognised by educational organisations, employers, ministries, government bodies and professional organisations throughout the world. 

A BEC shows an individual has the ability to really use English for business. 

About the exam

BEC assesses all four language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking – in a business context. 

BEC has three levels providing a progression of English language proficiency from intermediate to effective operational proficiency, all linked to global language standards. 

To find out more please visit: www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/professional-english/bec.html. 

Register

To register for the exam, you need to contact an exam centre authorised by us to run BEC at least 10 weeks before the exam. Entries cannot be made directly to Cambridge ESOL. The centre will give you full information about the fees for taking BEC, the dates of the tests and other arrangements. Please note that centres may set registration deadlines that are earlier than those published. 

Many candidates take a preparation course before entering for BEC. If you are studying English at the moment, speak to your teacher about preparing for BEC. If you are not studying at the moment, your nearest Cambridge ESOL exam centre will be able to advise you. Find a centre. 

If you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) it may be possible to ask for Special Arrangements to be made when taking the exam. 

Already registered? Visit the Candidate Support site for exam preparation help. 

Computer-based BEC

The BEC examination is now available as a computer-based test. You can take the reading, writing and listening parts of the test on a computer using an attractive and easy to understand interface, while the speaking test is conducted face to face. With computer based BEC you also have the flexibility of more test dates and registration much nearer to the exam date. The standard pen and paper version will continue to be available. 

Results

A single, overall grade is awarded, based on the aggregate of marks gained in the four components (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking). 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. You will also receive a Statement of Results which shows your performance in each paper against the scale Exceptional — Good — Borderline — Weak. The report will indicate your relative performance in each skill. If you pass, you will be awarded a certificate from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. 

Once awarded, BEC are valid for life.