Before you read about the BULATS exam, click here to check your knowledge of some exam-related terms.
What is BULATS?
BULATS stands for Business Language Testing Service. It is a relatively new exam aimed specifically at testing language abilities for business purposes.
The language involved includes descriptions of jobs, companies and products, travel, management and marketing, customer service, planning, reports, phone messages, business correspondence and presentations. The tasks in the test are generally practical ones, e.g. taking a phone message, checking a letter, giving a presentation, understanding an article, writing a report.
As such, it is different from any other exam currently available on the market.
Who is BULATS for?
BULATS is aimed at companies whose employees need to use a foreign language in their work, and at students doing language or professional courses where foreign language ability is an important element of the course.
How is the exam structured?
The test is in three parts. There is a speaking test, a writing test and a test on listening, reading, grammar and vocabulary.
The listening, reading, grammar and vocabulary test can be done on a computer, or on paper if a computer is not available. The paper (or “standard”) version takes 110 minutes: 50 minutes for listening and 60 minutes for reading and language knowledge. There are four listening comprehension exercises, then ten grammar, vocabulary and reading exercises.
The computer version is slightly different. An easy-to-use computer programme uses 'adaptive' testing techniques - as a candidate progresses through the test the computer selects each question on the basis of the previous answer. As a result, the test becomes progressively easier or more difficult until a consistent level of ability is achieved, usually in about 60 minutes.
The writing test, which lasts 45 minutes, is in two parts.
The speaking test is in three parts.
Each part lasts four minutes.
Do candidates get a score at the end of the test?
Candidates are given their score on a scale of 0-100, their score on each individual part of the test, then an ALTE level (0-5).
Check your comprehension - click here and choose the best answer to these questions.
Detailed comprehension and language development - click here to practise the Modal verbs of obligation and possibility.
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