EXAMINATION CONTENT

Reading & Writing (1 hour and 30 minutes)

The Reading section has the following types of exercise: multiple-choice, matching, Right/Wrong/Doesn’t Say,multiple-choice gap-filling and form-filling.

In the writing section candidates have to produce two pieces of writing:

• a piece of communication with a colleague or colleagues within the company on a business-related matter; it may be a note, message, memo or e-mail
• a piece of correspondence with somebody outside the company (e.g. a customer or supplier) on a business-related matter; it may be a letter, fax or e-mail.

Reading and writing carries 50% of the total marks (25% each).

Listening (40 minutes)

In the Listening section there are four tasks (multiple-choice, gap-filling and formfilling).

Texts used are monologues and dialogues, including interviews, discussions, telephone conversations and messages.Listening carries 25% of the total marks.

Speaking (approx. 12 minutes per pair of candidates)

The Speaking test has three parts. You have to talk on your own, talk to an oral examiner and communicate with the other candidate. Speaking carries 25% of the total marks.

What grades can I receive?

The minimum successful performance which a candidate typically requires in order to pass the exam corresponds to about 65% of the total marks. It is not necessary to achieve a satisfactory level in each paper in order to pass the exam. Successful candidates obtain a certificate with one of the passing grades – "Pass with Merit" or "Pass". The failing grades are "CEFR Level A2" and "Fail".

Preparation materials

Textbooks for exam preparation:

• Business Benchmark 1 (CUP)
• Cambridge BEC Preliminary 1-3 (Past Papers) (CUP)
• Working in English (CUP)
• Business Venture 1 & 2 / BEC 1 (OUP)
• Business Basics / BEC 1 (OUP)
• BEC Vantage Masterclass (OUP)
• BEC Practice Tests (OUP)
• Intelligent Business (Pearson Longman)
• Pass Cambridge BEC Preliminary (Summertown Publishing)
• BEC Preliminary Testbuilder (Macmillan)

Do you want to register for BEC Preliminary? Click here for more information about registration.

For more information about BEC Preliminary and useful resources visit the Cambridge ESOL candidate support website – BEC P.