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BEC [Business English Certificate] | 
Business English Certificate is an exam of the Cambridge University ESOL. This test is conducted by the British Council in India. There are three BEC exams - BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage and BEC Higher - which tests English language ability used in the context of business. They are ideal if you are preparing for a career in business. BEC is an internationally recognized qualification which proves your ability to use English in business.
The course involves a briefing of topic areas that include the following:
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Personal identification
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The office, general business environment and routine
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Entertainment of clients, free time, relationships with colleagues and clients
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Travel and conference meetings
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Using the telephone
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Health and safety
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Buying and selling
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Company structures, systems, processes
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Products and services
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Results and achievements
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Business issues
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A business background is an advantage, but not essential for BEC. Additional course themes may include:
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International trade
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Meeting and negotiation skills
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Teamwork & team-building
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Human resources
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Stock market
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E-business and E-commerce
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BEC Preliminary
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Reading & Writing
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1 hour and 30 Minutes
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In the Reading part there are seven tasks of the following types: multiple choice, matching, Right/Wrong/Doesn't Say, multiple choice gap-filling and form-filling. The Reading part is 25% of the total marks.
In the Writing part there are two tasks, both compulsory. Candidates produce a piece of internal company communication (approx. 30-40 words), and a piece of business communication (based on Reading input, approx. 60-80 words). The Writing part is 25% of the total marks.
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Speaking
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14 minutes
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Candidates are examined in pairs by two external examiners. During the test each candidate responds to questions, gives a 'mini-presentation' lasting approximately one minute, takes part in a collaborative task with the other candidate and takes part in a discussion with the other candidate and the interlocutor
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Listening
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40 minutes
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In the Listening component there are four tasks of the following types: multiple choices, gap-filling and form-filling. Texts used are monologues and dialogues, including interviews, discussions, telephone conversations and messages. The Listening paper is 25% of the total marks. discussions, telephone conversations and messages.
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BEC Vantage
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Reading
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1 hour
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Candidates are tested on the five tasks: multiple choice, matching, sentence level gap-filling, multiple choices, gap-filling and error identification.
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Writing
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45 minutes
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Candidates are tested on two tasks, both of which are compulsory.
Candidates are to produce a piece of internal office communication (40 - 50 words), and a short report, proposal or business correspondence (120 words). This is based on the Reading input.
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Speaking
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14 minutes
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Candidates are examined in pairs by two external examiners. Students are to give a mini-presentation, take part in a collaborative task with the other candidate and take part in a discussion.
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Listening
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40 minutes
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There are three task types: gap-filling or note completion, matching and multiple choices. Students are exposed to a variety of texts including monologues, dialogues, interviews, discussions, telephone conversations and messages.
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BEC Higher
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Reading
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1 hour
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Candidates are to complete the six task types which include: multiple choice, matching, work level gap-filling, sentence level gap-filling, multiple choices, gap-filling and error identification.
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Writing
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1 hour 10 minutes
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Candidates are to complete two tasks. One task is to produce a short report based on some graphic input, and write 120 - 140 words. The second task is to either write a report, proposal or piece of business correspondence.
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Speaking
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16 minutes
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Candidates are examined in pairs by two external examiners. Students are to respond to questions, give mini-presentations, take part in a collaborative task, and take part in a discussion with the other candidate.
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Listening
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40 minutes
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Candidates will listen to three tasks of the following task types: gap-filing or note completion, matching and multiple choices.
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The course duration is for 3 months with daily classes of one and a half hours.
The test is also similar to the IELTS except that the questions are based mainly on business communication. Exam dates and details can be obtained from the British council website.
More details can be sought from
www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/bec
www.britishcouncil.org/india-exams
Sample test papers are available at
http://www.longman.com/intelligent_business/bec_tests/index.html |  |
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