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BEC - BUSINESS ENGLISH CERTIFICATES    

Set in a business context, these tests are ideal for employees and business students    

Home > Exams > Professional exams - BEC

The BEC suite of exams is adjusted to the Council of Europe Common European Framework developed by ALTE and the Council of Europe. Each BEC level is equivalent to a general English (or Cambridge Main Suite) certificate.  

BEC level    Cambridge main suite    Council of Europe   
BEC Preliminary    PET    B1   
BEC Vantage    FCE    B2   
BEC Higher    CAE    C1   

DATES AND FEES

June 2012    Fee   
Enrolment dates    04 March - 06 April   
Preliminary    Wednesday 06 June 2012    EUR 95.00   
Vantage    Thursday 07 June 2012    EUR 170.00   
Higher    Tuesday 05 June 2012    EUR 175.00   
Speaking tests    01 - 11June 2012   

HOW TO ENROL
Enrolments can only be accepted if payment is made by the enrolment deadline. You can enrol:

1. By post
   Download the enrolment form (pdf, 162k), follow the simple instructions and return it to your nearest centre, together with a photocopy of your ID card and a cheque made payable to 'British Council' for the examination fee.
2. In person
   At any British Council office (please check opening hours). You will need to complete the examination enrolment form and bring with you your ID card. Payment can be made by Multibanco, cheque or cash.

CONTENTS: PRELIMINARY

Reading and writing (90 minutes)   
Listening (40 minutes)   
Speaking (12 minutes)   

CONTENTS: VANTAGE

Reading (60 minutes)   
Writing (45 minutes)   
Listening (40 minutes)   
Speaking (14 minutes)   

CONTENTS: HIGHER

Reading (60 minutes)   
Writing (70 minutes)   
Listening (40 minutes)   
Speaking (16 minutes)   

MORE INFORMATION

Visit the Cambridge ESOL site.

MARKING AND ISSUE OF RESULTS

All completed exam papers are returned to Cambridge for marking. The examiners are English-teaching specialists with relevant experience at the appropriate level. Examiners are trained, their work is continuously monitored and checked by highly experienced senior examiners as they work.

There are five possible grades for BEC: A, B and C are 'pass' grades; D and E are 'fail' grades. The grade is based on your total score in all the papers. Nine weeks after the exam, you will receive a Statement of Results giving the overall grade and including a graphical display of your performance in each component. These are shown against the scale Exceptional - Good - Borderline - Weak.

Certificates are issued to you if successful, approximately four months after the exam

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