Characteristics of the Cambridge BEC Vantage English exam, level B2

Do you need to demonstrate your B2 level of English to work in an international company and you don't know which title is the most appropriate? Do you want to take advantage of the fact that you already have a B2 level of English to look for a new job abroad or a better job where you live? You may be very interested in today's article, in which we are going to explain everything related to the Cambridge BEC Vantage English exam, level B2, with which you can certify your knowledge and make it valid in the business world. We are going to explain exactly what this exam is like, we are going to leave you all the valid and necessary material to prepare it, in addition to bringing you all the information regarding dates, enrollment and grades.

What is the Cambridge BEC Vantage English exam, level B2

It is one of the Cambridge English qualificationsShow companies that you are ready to do business internationally.

With the B2 Business Vantage qualification, you show companies that you are ready to work internationally. This exam helps you when it comes to getting a job, a job promotion or developing your professional career.

The Cambridge English: Business Certificates (BEC) suite consists of three exams. Each exam is aimed at a different level and B2 Business Vantage is the second of them. The content of each exam is based on everyday work and business tasks and is designed to develop your English skills in business.

Scale score:

160–179

Exam format:

Computer or paper version

The number of tests:

4

Exam duration:

About 2 hours and 40 minutes

With B2 Business Vantage prove that you can:

  • Write short messages and business reports.
  • Read articles from business publications.
  • Listen, understand and express your opinions in meetings.
  • Expose the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view.
  • Be informed of current news from the business world.

Reasons to choose B2 Business Vantage:

  • You improve your professional opportunities;
  • You obtain the necessary skills to develop yourself in a business environment;
  • Recognized worldwide by international companies and leaders in their sectors such as Procter & Gamble, HSBC, and AstraZeneca, as well as educational institutions and business schools;

This specific degree is recognized worldwide by thousands of leading companies, universities, and organizations in their sectors. With Cambridge, you have the necessary security and confidence that will open the doors to your academic and professional development. You have all the information you need to pass your exam successfully and know what wonderful benefits you can get.

Exam features

The B2 Business Vantage exam consists of four tests developed to assess your English skills. You can see the content of each test below.

Test

Content

Rating
(% of total)

Purpose

Reading Comprehension
(Reading)
(1 hour)

5 parts

25%

It shows that you can handle different types of text fluently, such as publications and business correspondence.

Written expression
(Writing)
(45 minutes)

2 parts

25%

You have to be able to write two different texts, such as letters, reports, proposals and emails.

Listening
(Listening)
(about 40 minutes, including time to transfer answers)

3 parts

25%

You have to be able to follow and understand various oral content, such as interviews, discussions and presentations.

Oral expression
(Speaking)
(14 minutes for each pair of candidates)

3 parts

25%

It tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations. You will take the test together with one or two other candidates.


—The B2 Business Vantage reading comprehension test consists of five parts with different types of text and questions. In the following table you can see a general summary:

Time:

1 hour

Number of parts:

5

Number of questions:

Four. Five

Qualification:

25% of the total

Length of the texts:

150–550 words for each text.

The texts can be from:

Newspaper and magazine articles, reports, advertisements, letters, messages, brochures, guides, manuals, etc.


Part 1. Pair:

What is Part 1 made of?

Eight short texts on a related topic or a single text divided into four sections plus a series of statements. You have to match each statement with the text or section where the information can be found.

What do I have to practice?

Reading and exploration to find out the essence and specific information.

How many questions are there?

7

How do they score?

One point for each correct answer.


Part 2. Pair:

What is Part 2 made of?

A text with blank spaces and some sentences (A – G). Each blank represents a missing phrase. You have to read the text and the sentences and then decide which sentence corresponds to each blank.

What do I have to practice?

Reading and understanding of the structure of the text.

How many questions are there?

5

How do they score?

One point for each correct answer.


Part 3. Multiple choice:

What is Part 3 made of?

A single text with six questions that assess comprehension. You have to read the text and choose the correct answer for each question (A, B, C or D).

What do I have to practice?

Reading to find out the gist and specific information.

How many questions are there?

6

How do they score?

One point for each correct answer.


Part 4. Multiple Choice Blanks:

What is Part 4 made of?

A text with blanks. Each blank represents a word or phrase. You have to read the text and choose the most suitable word or phrase for each blank from four possible options (A, B, C or D).

What do I have to practice?

Reading - vocabulary and structure.

How many questions are there?

15

How do they score?

One point for each correct answer.


Part 5. Correct text:

What is Part 5 made of?

A text in which some lines are correct and other lines contain an unnecessary word left over. If the line is correct, you must write 'CORRECT' on your answer sheet. If the line is incorrect, you must write the remaining word.

What do I have to practice?

Reading to understand the structure of the sentences and find the mistakes.

How many questions are there?

12

How do they score?

One point for each correct answer.

How to prepare for the exam on your own

Take the English level test that the University of Cambridge makes available to candidates. It's free and only takes a few minutes. This way, you will be able to find the exam that best suits your needs. 

And for the pure and simple preparation, the University of Cambridge itself leaves all this material that will serve you a lot and that will allow you to pass the test successfully. Old exams are collected, activities to practice, as well as books recommended for work and study.

In addition to all this official, basic and necessary material to pass the exam, we also want to leave you a complementary and general material that can help you a lot to achieve your objectives. Remember that it is a C1 level, a practically bilingual level, which will allow you to approach the English language without adaptations as a native would do, so you can use all the material you want. Also keep in mind that it is a level that requires effort and work, fundamental daily planning to achieve your goals:

Exam dates and results

 In the following link, you have all the information related to the exam centers that may interest you the most.

In any case, from the search engine, you will be able to see all the options that best suit your needs. Get in touch with them, as they are the ones who can assure you precisely when the tests will be done, under what conditions, registration dates, and prices. Directly from this same link, you can register, so that you do not run out of your place and so you can take the exam.

They will send your certificate to the test center approximately 2-3 weeks after the scores are availableThen your test center will send it to you. If you took a paper exam, we will send your certificate to your center between seven and nine weeks after your exam date. If you took an exam by computer, we will send your certificate to your center between five and six weeks after the date of your exam.

Depending on the university, college or organization you wish to apply to, you will be asked to achieve a specific grade or score, either globally or in a specific skill. In B1 Preliminary the following scores will be used when presenting the results:

Score on the Cambridge English Scale

Note

CEFR level

160-170

A

B2

153-159

B

B1

140–152

C

B1

120–139

Level A2

A2

The exam is focused on Level B1 of the CEFR. The exam also provides a reliable assessment of the level immediately above B1 (Level B2) and below (Level A2).

Scores between 120 and 139 are also included in your Grade Report, but in that case, you will not receive the B1 Preliminary for Schools English Test certificate.

Your Rating Report (Statement of Results) will contain the following information:

  • Scores according to the Cambridge English Scale in each of the four skills: Reading Comprehension (Reading) , Written Expression (Writing) , Listening Comprehension (Listening) and Oral Expression (Speaking) ;
  • score according to the Cambridge English Scale on the comprehensive exam;
  • grade (A, B, C, Level A2) in the global exam;
  • CEFR level in the global exam.
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