In today’s global business world, it is important to show employers you can communicate in English effectively in every day business situations. We offer three business English exams: B1 Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary) and B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage).
Business English
B1 Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary)
B1 Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary) is also known as the Business English Certificate (BEC Preliminary). It is the first in a series of three Cambridge Assessment English Business Certificates. This qualification shows employers that you can communicate in English in practical everyday business situations. It is the same level as the B1 Preliminary (PET), but is focused on English for business.
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 business career. Studying for the B1 Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary) will give you a good foundation in the English skills you will need to work in international business.
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 and Writing and the Listening papers on the same day. You may need to return to do the Speaking on a different day. You do the Speaking with two examiners and one or two other exam candidates.
| Reading and Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 1 hr 30 mins | 40 mins | 12 mins |
| Marks (% of total) | 50% | 25% | 25% |
B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage)
B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage) is also known as the Business English Certificate Vantage (BEC Vantage). It is the second in a series of three Cambridge Assessment English Business Certificates. This qualification shows that you can communicate in English in a business environment. It is the same level as the B2 First (FCE) qualification, but is focused on English for business.
Level of qualification: Upper Intermediate = B2 on the Common European Framework.
Who should take this exam?
You should take this exam if you want to prove to employers that your English is good enough for you to work in an English-speaking business environment. Studying for the B2 Business Vantage will develop your confidence and the English skills you need to succeed in international business.
To take the exam you should be able to:
- understand the meaning of business reports and letters
- express your opinion or have a discussion about factual issues
- give a short prepared presentation, and write a brief proposal.
There are three parts to all Business English exams. You do the Reading and Writing and the Listening papers on the same day. You may need to return to do the Speaking on a different day. You do the Speaking with two examiners and one or two other exam candidates.
| Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 1 hr | 45 mins | 40 mins | 14 mins |
| Marks (% of total) | 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
Sitting for the Cambridge Assessment English: Business Certificates in Sri Lanka
Register for Cambridge Assessment English: Business Certificates in Sri Lanka.
Results for paper based exams are available between four and six weeks after you take the exam and results for computer based exams are available two weeks after you take the exam.
Watch this video of students like you to find out what our candidates say about their experience of sitting their exams with the British Council.