BEC Business English Certificate Vantage
(Level B2)

More than ever, you need a good knowledge of English to succeed in international business and commerce. If you can show you have relevant language skills, you'll have a great advantage in the job market and more choice if you want to work or study abroad.

The Business English Certificates (BEC) from Cambridge ESOL are for individual learners who want to have a business-related English language qualification. By taking an internationally recognised business qualification like BEC, you can show that you have learned English to an appropriate standard and can use it in a professional context. 

BEC Vantage tests the ability to use English to carry out basic office skills such as being able to read short messages, interpret charts, write a short e-mail, follow short telephone conversations and discussions, and talk about a business-related matter at a higher standard. Candidates have to show they can write a short piece of business correspondence, a report or proposal, read extracts from business publications, and listen to, understand and contribute to discussions on business topics.

What does BEC Vantage involve? 

Reading (1 hour):
The Reading section has the following types of exercises: matching, multiple-choice questions, gap filling and text correction.

Writing (45 minutes):
For BEC Vantage, you 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. You will also have to produce one of the following: 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 or a report; this means the presentation of information in relation to a specific issue or event. The report will contain an introduction, main body of findings and conclusion, it may be a memo, an e-mail or a proposal; this has a similar format to a report, but remember that a proposal is about the future and includes recommendations for discussion.

Listening (approx. 40 minutes):
In the Listening section there are three parts (form filling, matching and multiple-choice questions)

Speaking (14 minutes):
The Speaking test is conducted by two external examiners and you will be tested in pairs of candidates. At centres with an uneven number of candidates, the last single candidate is examined with the last pair in a group of three. 
 

For more detailed information about this exam, please click here:

BEC Vantage – Information for candidates (pdf)
BEC – Handbook for teachers (pdf)