Business English Certificates (BEC)
English for your future: Cambridge ESOL certificates for the world of work
The Business English Certificates
The Business English Certificates (BEC) are internationally recognised qualifications that show employers your skills for using English in the workplace.
BEC is an ideal English language exam if you are preparing for a career in business. There are three different levels of BEC: BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage and BEC Higher.
Is BEC for you?
If your English language ability is sufficient for most simple communications, such as shopping, you may consider progressing towards BEC. You should have an understanding of, or interest in, the world of work, business and commerce.
Why take BEC?
More than ever, a good knowledge of English is needed to succeed in international business and commerce. If you can show you have relevant language skills, you'll have a great advantage in the jobs market and much greater flexibility if you want to work abroad.
BEC can help you show that you have learned English to an appropriate standard and can use it in a business context.
The BEC exams are aligned with Levels B1 to C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages — an internationally recognised framework which Cambridge ESOL helped to develop. The framework uses six levels to describe language ability, from A1 to C2. 'Can Do' statements have been used to describe these levels in terms of real skills with language, such as being able to write a report, or take a telephone message. This means that preparing for BEC will help you develop real-life skills and the confidence to use them.
BEC is also linked with the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's National Standards for Literacy, within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
'BEC has helped develop cross-cultural communication skills and overall development of the students. It has had an impact on confidence levels through international certification. It has also introduced unfamiliar situations and helped stimulate creative thinking and analysis'
Laura Cirello, Head Learning and Development, JP Morgan Treasury and Securities Services, Mumbai
Recognition
BEC is officially recognised by more than a thousand educational organisations, employers, ministries, government bodies and professional organisations throughout the world as a suitable qualification for business use.
Leading international companies such as Sony Ericsson, Shell, Vodafone, Bayer, Coca-Cola and HSBC have all recognised BEC in their offices around the world.
Search our recognition database.
Will a pre-2002 BEC certificate still be recognised?
'Working in a marketing department of a foreign company requires very good business communication skills in English, both in written and oral form. BEC has helped me to standardise my Business English and reach to an international business communication level.'
Phan Thu Ha — BEC candidate
Exam dates for paper-based BEC
| Please note: not all sessions are offered at all centres. Please contact your local centre to confirm that your preferred date is possible. |
|
| BEC Preliminary |
|
|---|---|
| BEC Vantage |
|
| BEC Higher |
|
| Special timetable arrangements may apply for candidates at centres in the UK. The Speaking test takes place on a date of the centre's choosing within a window period specified by Cambridge ESOL. | |
Exam dates for computer-based BEC
| CB BEC |
|
|---|
Next steps
Register
To register for the exam, you need to contact an exam centre authorised by us to run BEC at least 10 weeks before the exam. Entries cannot be made directly to Cambridge ESOL. The centre will give you full information about the fees for taking BEC, the dates of the tests and other arrangements. Please note that centres may set registration deadlines that are earlier than those published.
Many candidates take a preparation course before entering for BEC. If you are studying English at the moment, speak to your teacher about preparing for BEC. If you are not studying at the moment, your nearest Cambridge ESOL exam centre will be able to advise you. Find a centre.
If you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) it may be possible to ask for Special Arrangements to be made when taking the exam.
Already registered? Visit the Candidate Support site for exam preparation help.
Results
A single, overall grade is awarded, based on the aggregate of marks gained in the four components (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking). There are no Pass/Fail marks for individual papers, so you do not need to reach a particular level in any component in order to achieve a Pass in the examination. You will also receive a Statement of Results which shows your performance in each paper against the scale Exceptional — Good — Borderline — Weak. The report will indicate your relative performance in each skill. If you pass, you will be awarded a certificate from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.
Once awarded, Cambridge ESOL BEC certificates are valid for life.
Resources available
- Sample papers
- Information for Candidates
- Order past papers
- Books for study
- BEC Exam details and timetables for 2008
- BEC Exam details and timetables for 2009
- Summary regulations for candidates (PDF 54Kb)
