Cambridge English Qualifications: Business Preliminary is also known as the Business English Certificate (BEC) Preliminary. It is the first in a series of three Cambridge English Qualifications Business Certificates. This qualification shows employers that you can communicate in English in practical everyday business situations. It is the same level as the Cambridge English Qualifications: Preliminary (PET), but is focused on English in business situations.
Level of qualification: Intermediate = B1 on the Common European Framework
Who should take this exam?
You should take this exam if you want to improve your English for your career. Studying for the BEC Preliminary will give you a good foundation in the English skills you will need to work in international business contexts.
To take the exam you should be able to:
- follow short telephone conversations or general business discussions
- discuss practical business tasks such as ordering or answering general enquiries
- write brief factual business letters or emails.
There are three parts to all Business English exams. You do the Reading & Writing and the Listening papers on the same day. You may need to return to do the Speaking on the same or a different day. You do the Speaking part with two examiners and one or, in exceptional circumstances, two other candidates.
| |
READING AND WRITING |
LISTENING |
SPEAKING |
| Time |
1 hr 30 mins |
40 mins |
12 mins |
| Marks (% of total) |
50% |
25% |
25% |
