Cambridge BEC Preliminary

Cambridge BEC exam

The Business English Certificate (BEC) is a series of exams designed by the University of Cambridge. They are divided into three levels to certify the degree of English proficiency in the business world, which have their equivalents according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(MCRE), an international standard of linguistic ability:

-  BEC Preliminary (corresponds to B1 of the MCRE). It is the basic level for practical and everyday use in the business world.

-  BEC Vantage (corresponds to B2 of the MCRE). It is the intermediate level for presentations when applying for a job vacancy, requesting a promotion or developing professionally in your career.

-  BEC Higher (corresponds to C1 of the MCRE). It is the advanced level to show that you have reached a higher level of understanding of Business English.

The  BEC  is aimed at those who seek to certify their knowledge of communication in English specifically in different international business situations, such as marketing, production, financial or banking services, as well as office jobs. The evaluators are from a highly experienced area of ​​the Cambridge English department.

The BEC is made up of the following parts

All BEC exams assess the four language skills: reading and writing, listening and speaking ( reading ,  listening ,  speaking  and  writing ) in the context of the business environment . The topics revolve around, for example, the identification of personnel in offices, relationships with colleagues and clients, trips and meetings, presentations and results, job security, organizational hierarchical aspects, and products and services, among others.

There are different tests with different exercises for each one. The number, duration, and score on the passing scale depend on the level (Preliminary, Advancer, or Higher). For example:

- For the  Preliminary  (B1) there are 3 tests, the approximate duration is 2 hours and 20 minutes, the score ranges from 140-159 (in grades A, B or C) and the format can be digital or printed. The assessment is based on exercises on business topics, understanding graphics, writing  e-mails , and telephone conversations, among others.

- For the  Vantage  (B2) there are four tests, the approximate duration is 2 hours and 40 minutes, the score ranges from 160-179 (in grades A, B or C) and the format can be digital or printed. The exercises are based on common work and business tasks designed to test your writing of short messages, as well as your reading of articles or business publications.

- For the  Higher  (C1) there are four tests, the approximate duration is three hours, the score ranges from 180-199 (in degrees A, B or C) and the format can be digital or printed. The exercises are designed to assess your fluent communication skills in English at a professional and executive level, ideal for meetings and presentations in different cultural and social contexts.

How do I prepare for a Business English Certificate (BEC) exam?

There are several techniques to prepare for an assessment or exam, from attending a classroom course where a teacher explains and corrects, to studying self-taught. Here are some tips to help you present your exam in an optimal way.

-  Consult bibliographic material. Regardless of the way you prepare, it is always very necessary to consult specialized texts or books on the subject or related to the business world, for example:

a)  Business Benchmark , a series of books (for  Pre-Intermediate ,  Upper Intermediate  and  Advanced levels ) from Cambridge English, to prepare for the different BEC exams.

b)  Business Vocabulary in Use , specialized publications on grammar and vocabulary.

c)  The Big Short , by Michael Lewis, ideal for the Reading tests  .

-  Make a study plan with specific hours. Having and respecting a time and space to study will help you progress in your goals. With this you can divide the number of topics and dedicate a proportional part of your time to reach them.

-  Use forums, platforms or social networks  to chat in English, such as Verbling or Itaki, and carry out both dialogues and  speeches , ideal for preparing  Speaking  and  Writing .

For the day of the exam we also recommend that you follow the following guidelines:

- Arrive on time, at least 15 minutes in advance.

- Make sure to bring your access credential, the classroom information and the site that has been assigned to you by hand.

- Answer the questions that are easier for you first and leave for later those that will require more time or effort.

Useful support material to prepare the Business English Certificate (BEC)

There are several techniques to prepare for an assessment or exam, from attending a classroom course where a teacher explains and corrects, to studying self-taught. Here are some tips to help you present your exam in an optimal way.

-  Consult bibliographic material. Regardless of the way you prepare, it is always very necessary to consult specialized texts or books on the subject or related to the business world, for example:

a)  Business Benchmark , a series of books (for  Pre-Intermediate ,  Upper Intermediate  and  Advanced levels ) from Cambridge English, to prepare for the different BEC exams.

b)  Business Vocabulary in Use , specialized publications on grammar and vocabulary.

c)  The Big Short , by Michael Lewis, ideal for the Reading tests  .

-  Make a study plan with specific hours. Having and respecting a time and space to study will help you progress in your goals. With this you can divide the number of topics and dedicate a proportional part of your time to reach them.

-  Use forums, platforms or social networks  to chat in English, such as Verbling or Itaki, and carry out both dialogues and  speeches , ideal for preparing  Speaking  and  Writing .

For the day of the exam we also recommend that you follow the following guidelines:

- Arrive on time, at least 15 minutes in advance.

- Make sure to bring your access credential, the classroom information and the site that has been assigned to you.

- Answer the questions that are easier for you first and leave later those that will require more time or effort.

Additional information about the Business English Certificate (BEC)

Today, Cambridge University exams such as the BEC are recognized by more than 13,500 universities, business organizations and government institutions around the globe.

There are two types of results that are offered with the  Business English Certificate (BEC) : the first corresponds to the skills of reading, writing and listening, and the second for the oral part.

Below you can check the dates and places available to do it here