BEC is an internationally recognised english language examinations.
The examinations can be taken at approved cambridge BEC centres ( British Council ).
The examinations are aimed primarily at individual learners who wish to obtain a business-related English language qualification.
BEC is designed to meet the international business needs of learners of English as a foreign language.
BEC is available in three levels: BEC - Preliminary, Vanatage and Higher.
BEC Vantage and Higher are approved by Polish Civil Service Office as language qualification required from civil servants in Poland.
BEC Vantage and Higher are recognised by the Polish Ministry of Education as an English language qualification required from tour guides.
BEC, if passed does not need to be repeated.
THE EXAMINATIONS
The examination consists of three parts-PAPERS
| BEC level | Paper | Time / % of total marks | | BEC preliminary | Reading and Writing | 1 hour 30 min; 50% | | Listening | 40 min(approx); 25% | | Speaking | 12-16 min; 25% | | BEC vantage | Reading and Writing | 1 hour 45 min; 25% | | Listening | 40 min( approx); 25% | | Speaking | 12-16 min; 25% | | BEC higher | Reading and Writing | 2 hour 10 min; 50% | | Listening | 40 min, 25% | | Speaking | 16 min; 25% |
CONTENT AND ASSESSMENT
BEC PRELIMINARY
Test of reading
| Part | Main Skill Focus | Input:text type, content | Response | No.of Items | | 1 | Reading- understanding short, real world notices, messages, etc. | Notices, messages, timetables, adverts, leaflets, etc. | Multiple choice | 5 | | 2 | Reading- detailed comprehension of factual material; skimming and scanning skills | Notice, list, plan, contents page, etc. | Matching | 5 | | 3 | Reading- interpreting visual information | Graphs, charts, tables, etc. | Matching | 5 | | 4 | Reading for detailed factual information | Longer text ( approx. 300-400 words): advert, business letter, product description, report, minutes, etc. | Right/Wrong/ Doesn't say | 7 | | 5 | Reading for gist and specific information | Longer text (approx. 300-400 words): newspaper or magazine article, advert, leaflet, etc. | Multiple choice | 6 | | 6 | Reading- grammatical accuracy and understanding of text structure | Longer text (approx. 125-150 words): newspaper or magazine article, advert, leaflet, etc. | Multiple choice cloze | 12 | | 7 | Reading and information transfer | Short memos, letters, notices, adverts, etc. | Form- filling, note completion | 5 |
Test of writing
| Part | Function/ task | Input | Response | Register | | 1 | e.g. (re-) arranging appointments, asking for permission, giving instructions | Rubric only (plus layout of output text type) | Internal communication (note, message, memo or e-mail); 30-40 words | Neutral/ informal | | 2 | e.g. Apologising, making or altering reservations, dealing with requests, giving information about a product | One piece, may be business correspondence (letter, fax or e-mail), internal communication(note, memo or e-mail), notice, advert, etc. | Business correspondence (letter, fax or e-mail) | Neutral/ formal |
Test of listening
| Part | Main Skill Focus | Input | Item type | No. of Items | | 1 | Listening for specific information | Short conversations/ monologues(40-60 words) | 3- option multiple choice | 8 | | 2 | Listening for specific information | Short telephone conversations/ prompted monologue(200 words) | Gap filling (numbers and spelling) | 7 | | 3 | Listening for specific information | Monologue (320 words) | Note- taking( content words inc.one date) | 7 | | 4 | Listening for gist/specific information | Conversation/ Interview/ Discussion 2-3 people (600 words) | 3-option multiple choice, stems can be questions or stem completion | 8 |
Test of speaking
| Part | Format and Focus | Time | Candidate Focus | | 1 | Conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate General interaction and social language | About 2 minutes | The interlocutor encourages the candidates to give information about themselves and to express personal opinions | | 2 | A 'mini presentation' by each candidate on a business theme Organising a larger unit of discourse Giving information and expressing opinions | About 5 minutes | The candidates are given prompts which generate a short talk on a business-related topic | | 3 | Two-way conversation between candidates followed by further prompting from the interlocutor. Expressing opinions, agreeing and disagreeing | About 5 minutes | The candidates are presented with a scenario supported by visual or written prompts which generates a discussion The interlocutor extends the discussion with further spoken prompts | GRADING AND RESULTS The three papers total 120 marks, after weighting.
The grade boundaries (Pass with Merit, Pass, Pass, Narrow Fail and Fail) are set using the following information: - statistics on the candidature
- statistics on the overall candidate performance
- statistics on individual items( Reading and Listening)
- the advice of the Chief examiners, based on the performance of candidates, and on the recommendation of examiners where this is relevant (Writing)
- comparison with statistics from previous years' examination performance and candidature.
- A candidate's overall grade is based on the total score gained in all three papers. It is not necessary to achieve a satisfactory level in all three papers in order to pass the examination.
BEC VANTAGE
Test of reading
| Part | Main Skill Focus | Input: Text type, content | Response | No. of Items | | 1 | Reading- scanning and gist | One longer or four shorter informational texts ( approx. 25-35- words) | Matching | 7 | | 2 | Reading- understanding text structure | Single text: article, report, etc.with sentence level gaps (text plus 7 option sentences approx. 450-550 words in total) | Matching | 5 | | 3 | Reading for gist and specific information | Single text ( approx. 450-550 words) | 4-option multiple choice | 6 | | 4 | Reading- vocabulary and structure information | Single informational text with lexical gaps (including gapped words approx.200-300 words) | 4-option multiple choice cloze | 15 | | 5 | Reading-understanding sentence structure/ error identification | Short text (150-200 words). Identification of additional unnecessary words in text | Proof reading | 12 |
Test of writing
| Part | Functions/Communication Task | Input | Response | Register | | 1 | e.g. Giving instructions, explaining a development, asking for comment, requesting information, agreeing to request | Rubric only ( plus layout of output text type) | Internal communication (note, message, memo or e-mail; 40-50 words. | Neutral/ informal | | 2 | Correspondence: e.g. Explaining , apologising, reassuring, complaining. Report: describing, summarising Proposal: describing, summarisig, recommending, persuading | One or more pieces of input from: business correspondence (letter, fax or e-mail), internal communication ( note, memo or e-mail) notice, advert, graphs, charts, etc. (plus layout if output is fax or e-mail) | Business correspondence ( letter, fax or e-mail) or short report or proposal (memo or e-mail) – 120-140 words | Neutral/ formal |
Test of listening
| Part | Main Skill Focus | Input | Item type | No. of Items | | 1 | Listening for writing short answers | Three telephone conversations or messages | Gap filling | 12 | | 2 | Listening: identyfying topic, context, function, etc. | Short monologue; two sections of five 'snippets' each | Multiple matching | 10 | | 3 | Listening | One extended conversation or monologue; interview, discussion, presentation, etc. | Multiple choice | 8 |
Test of speaking
| Part | Format and Focus | Time | Candidate Focus | | 1 | Conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate Giving personal information. Talking about present circumstances, past experiences and future plans, expressing opinions, speculating, etc. | About 3 minutes | The interlocutor encourages the candidates to give information about themselves and to express personal opinions | | 2 | A mini presentation by each candidate on a business theme Organising a larger unit of discourse. Giving information and expressing and justifying opinions | About 6 minutes | The candidates are given prompts which generate a short talk on a business-related topic | | 3 | Two-way conversation between candidates followed bu further prompting from the interlocutor Expressing and justifying opinions, speculating, comparing and contrasting, agreeing and disagreeing, etc. | About 5 minutes | The candidates are presented with a discussion on a business-related topic The interlocutor extends the discussion with prompts on related topics | GRADING AND RESULTS The four papers total 120 marks, after weighting. Each skill represents 25% of the total marks available.
The grade boundaries ( A, B, C, D and E ) are set using the following information: - statiscics on the candidature
- statiscics on the overall candidate performance
- statiscics on individual items, for those parts of the examination for which this is appropriate (Reading and Listening)
- the advice of the chief Examiners, based on the performance of candidates and on the recommendation of examiners (Writing)
- comparison with statiscics from previous years' examination performance and candidature.
A candidate's overall grade is based on the total score gained in all three papers.
It is not necessary to achieve a satisfactory level in all three papers in order to pass the examination.
BEC HIGHER
Test of reading
| Part | Main Skill Focus | Input:text type, content | Response | No. of items | | 1 | Reading- scanning and gist | 5 separate short texts or 5 short extracts from a single text (approx. 450 words) | Matching | 8 | | 2 | Reading- understanding text structure | 1 text with 6 gaps (approx. 450-500 words ) | Matching | 6 | | 3 | Reading for gist and specific information | 1 text ( approx. 500-600 words) | 4-option multiple choice | 6 | | 4 | Reading- vocabulary and structure information | 1 text with ten gaps ( approx. 250 words ) | 4-option multiple choice cloze | 10 | | 5 | Reading- grammar and structure information | 1 text with 10 gaps ( approx. 250 words) | Open cloze | 10 | | 6 | Reading- understanding sentence structure/ error identification | 1 text with errors ( approx. 150-200 words) | Proof reading | 12 |
Test of writing
| Part | Task | Length | | 1 | Write a short report based on one or more graphics ( charts, graphs, etc.) Answers involve describing, comparing and interpreting the information presented. | 120-140 words | | 2 | Write one of the following: report, proposal, or piece of correspondence. Answers are based on the context and instructions for content given in the question. | 200-250 words |
Test of listening
| Part | Input | Question type | No. of questions | | 1 | 1 monologue ( approx.600 words) | Filling 12 gaps with words, numbers or short phrases providing information presented in the monologue. | 12 | | 2 | 5 short monologues relating to a single theme ( approx. 130 words) | Two tasks, each involving choosing which of 8 options matches what each of the speakers says ( 5 questions per task). | 10 | | 3 | 1 longer conversation , interview or discussion, involving two or more speakers (approx. 600-700 words) | 8 multiple-choice questions, each with 3 options, testing comprehension of details, opinions, etc. Presented by the speakers. | 8 |
Test of speaking
| Part | Activity | Length | | 1 | Conversation between candidate and examiner, candidate gives personal information and opinions. | Approx. 3 minutes | | 2 | Each candidate gives a one-minute talk or presentation on a business theme, based on prompts which they are given. Each candidate chooses from 3 prompts the one they are going to talk about. Candidates respond to each other's talk. | Approx.6 minutes | | 3 | Conversation/ discussion between the two candidates based on a prompt given to both of them. The prompt contains a business context and 2 discussion points. The discussion then continues with the examiner taking part. | Approx. 7 minutes | GRADING AND RESULTS The four papers total 120 marks, after weighting. Each skill represents 25% of the total marks available.
The grade boundaries ( A, B, C, D and E) are set using the following information: - statistics on the candidature
- statiscics on the overall candidate performance
- statiscics on the individual items (Reading and Listening)
- the advice of the Chief Examiners, based on the performance of candidates, and on the recommendation of examiners where this is relevant (Writing)
- comparison with statiscics from previous years' examination performance and candidature.
A candidate's overall grade is based on the total score gained in all three papers.
It is not necessary to achieve a satisfactory level in all three papers in order to pass the examination.
BEC is an internationally recognised english language examinations.
The examinations can be taken at approved cambridge BEC centres ( British Council ).
The examinations are aimed primarily at individual learners who wish to obtain a business-related English language qualification.
BEC is designed to meet the international business needs of learners of English as a foreign language.
BEC is available in three levels: BEC - Preliminary, Vanatage and Higher.
BEC Vantage and Higher are approved by Polish Civil Service Office as language qualification required from civil servants in Poland.
BEC Vantage and Higher are recognised by the Polish Ministry of Education as an English language qualification required from tour guides.
BEC, if passed does not need to be repeated.
THE EXAMINATIONS
The examination consists of three parts-PAPERS
| BEC level | Paper | Time / % of total marks | | BEC preliminary | Reading and Writing | 1 hour 30 min; 50% | | Listening | 40 min(approx); 25% | | Speaking | 12-16 min; 25% | | BEC vantage | Reading and Writing | 1 hour 45 min; 25% | | Listening | 40 min( approx); 25% | | Speaking | 12-16 min; 25% | | BEC higher | Reading and Writing | 2 hour 10 min; 50% | | Listening | 40 min, 25% | | Speaking | 16 min; 25% |
CONTENT AND ASSESSMENT
BEC PRELIMINARY
Test of reading
| Part | Main Skill Focus | Input:text type, content | Response | No.of Items | | 1 | Reading- understanding short, real world notices, messages, etc. | Notices, messages, timetables, adverts, leaflets, etc. | Multiple choice | 5 | | 2 | Reading- detailed comprehension of factual material; skimming and scanning skills | Notice, list, plan, contents page, etc. | Matching | 5 | | 3 | Reading- interpreting visual information | Graphs, charts, tables, etc. | Matching | 5 | | 4 | Reading for detailed factual information | Longer text ( approx. 300-400 words): advert, business letter, product description, report, minutes, etc. | Right/Wrong/ Doesn't say | 7 | | 5 | Reading for gist and specific information | Longer text (approx. 300-400 words): newspaper or magazine article, advert, leaflet, etc. | Multiple choice | 6 | | 6 | Reading- grammatical accuracy and understanding of text structure | Longer text (approx. 125-150 words): newspaper or magazine article, advert, leaflet, etc. | Multiple choice cloze | 12 | | 7 | Reading and information transfer | Short memos, letters, notices, adverts, etc. | Form- filling, note completion | 5 |
Test of writing
| Part | Function/ task | Input | Response | Register | | 1 | e.g. (re-) arranging appointments, asking for permission, giving instructions | Rubric only (plus layout of output text type) | Internal communication (note, message, memo or e-mail); 30-40 words | Neutral/ informal | | 2 | e.g. Apologising, making or altering reservations, dealing with requests, giving information about a product | One piece, may be business correspondence (letter, fax or e-mail), internal communication(note, memo or e-mail), notice, advert, etc. | Business correspondence (letter, fax or e-mail) | Neutral/ formal |
Test of listening
| Part | Main Skill Focus | Input | Item type | No. of Items | | 1 | Listening for specific information | Short conversations/ monologues(40-60 words) | 3- option multiple choice | 8 | | 2 | Listening for specific information | Short telephone conversations/ prompted monologue(200 words) | Gap filling (numbers and spelling) | 7 | | 3 | Listening for specific information | Monologue (320 words) | Note- taking( content words inc.one date) | 7 | | 4 | Listening for gist/specific information | Conversation/ Interview/ Discussion 2-3 people (600 words) | 3-option multiple choice, stems can be questions or stem completion | 8 |
Test of speaking
| Part | Format and Focus | Time | Candidate Focus | | 1 | Conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate General interaction and social language | About 2 minutes | The interlocutor encourages the candidates to give information about themselves and to express personal opinions | | 2 | A 'mini presentation' by each candidate on a business theme Organising a larger unit of discourse Giving information and expressing opinions | About 5 minutes | The candidates are given prompts which generate a short talk on a business-related topic | | 3 | Two-way conversation between candidates followed by further prompting from the interlocutor. Expressing opinions, agreeing and disagreeing | About 5 minutes | The candidates are presented with a scenario supported by visual or written prompts which generates a discussion The interlocutor extends the discussion with further spoken prompts | GRADING AND RESULTS The three papers total 120 marks, after weighting.
The grade boundaries (Pass with Merit, Pass, Pass, Narrow Fail and Fail) are set using the following information: - statistics on the candidature
- statistics on the overall candidate performance
- statistics on individual items( Reading and Listening)
- the advice of the Chief examiners, based on the performance of candidates, and on the recommendation of examiners where this is relevant (Writing)
- comparison with statistics from previous years' examination performance and candidature.
- A candidate's overall grade is based on the total score gained in all three papers. It is not necessary to achieve a satisfactory level in all three papers in order to pass the examination.
BEC VANTAGE
Test of reading
| Part | Main Skill Focus | Input: Text type, content | Response | No. of Items | | 1 | Reading- scanning and gist | One longer or four shorter informational texts ( approx. 25-35- words) | Matching | 7 | | 2 | Reading- understanding text structure | Single text: article, report, etc.with sentence level gaps (text plus 7 option sentences approx. 450-550 words in total) | Matching | 5 | | 3 | Reading for gist and specific information | Single text ( approx. 450-550 words) | 4-option multiple choice | 6 | | 4 | Reading- vocabulary and structure information | Single informational text with lexical gaps (including gapped words approx.200-300 words) | 4-option multiple choice cloze | 15 | | 5 | Reading-understanding sentence structure/ error identification | Short text (150-200 words). Identification of additional unnecessary words in text | Proof reading | 12 |
Test of writing
| Part | Functions/Communication Task | Input | Response | Register | | 1 | e.g. Giving instructions, explaining a development, asking for comment, requesting information, agreeing to request | Rubric only ( plus layout of output text type) | Internal communication (note, message, memo or e-mail; 40-50 words. | Neutral/ informal | | 2 | Correspondence: e.g. Explaining , apologising, reassuring, complaining. Report: describing, summarising Proposal: describing, summarisig, recommending, persuading | One or more pieces of input from: business correspondence (letter, fax or e-mail), internal communication ( note, memo or e-mail) notice, advert, graphs, charts, etc. (plus layout if output is fax or e-mail) | Business correspondence ( letter, fax or e-mail) or short report or proposal (memo or e-mail) – 120-140 words | Neutral/ formal |
Test of listening
| Part | Main Skill Focus | Input | Item type | No. of Items | | 1 | Listening for writing short answers | Three telephone conversations or messages | Gap filling | 12 | | 2 | Listening: identyfying topic, context, function, etc. | Short monologue; two sections of five 'snippets' each | Multiple matching | 10 | | 3 | Listening | One extended conversation or monologue; interview, discussion, presentation, etc. | Multiple choice | 8 |
Test of speaking
| Part | Format and Focus | Time | Candidate Focus | | 1 | Conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate Giving personal information. Talking about present circumstances, past experiences and future plans, expressing opinions, speculating, etc. | About 3 minutes | The interlocutor encourages the candidates to give information about themselves and to express personal opinions | | 2 | A mini presentation by each candidate on a business theme Organising a larger unit of discourse. Giving information and expressing and justifying opinions | About 6 minutes | The candidates are given prompts which generate a short talk on a business-related topic | | 3 | Two-way conversation between candidates followed bu further prompting from the interlocutor Expressing and justifying opinions, speculating, comparing and contrasting, agreeing and disagreeing, etc. | About 5 minutes | The candidates are presented with a discussion on a business-related topic The interlocutor extends the discussion with prompts on related topics | GRADING AND RESULTS The four papers total 120 marks, after weighting. Each skill represents 25% of the total marks available.
The grade boundaries ( A, B, C, D and E ) are set using the following information: - statiscics on the candidature
- statiscics on the overall candidate performance
- statiscics on individual items, for those parts of the examination for which this is appropriate (Reading and Listening)
- the advice of the chief Examiners, based on the performance of candidates and on the recommendation of examiners (Writing)
- comparison with statiscics from previous years' examination performance and candidature.
A candidate's overall grade is based on the total score gained in all three papers.
It is not necessary to achieve a satisfactory level in all three papers in order to pass the examination.
BEC HIGHER
Test of reading
| Part | Main Skill Focus | Input:text type, content | Response | No. of items | | 1 | Reading- scanning and gist | 5 separate short texts or 5 short extracts from a single text (approx. 450 words) | Matching | 8 | | 2 | Reading- understanding text structure | 1 text with 6 gaps (approx. 450-500 words ) | Matching | 6 | | 3 | Reading for gist and specific information | 1 text ( approx. 500-600 words) | 4-option multiple choice | 6 | | 4 | Reading- vocabulary and structure information | 1 text with ten gaps ( approx. 250 words ) | 4-option multiple choice cloze | 10 | | 5 | Reading- grammar and structure information | 1 text with 10 gaps ( approx. 250 words) | Open cloze | 10 | | 6 | Reading- understanding sentence structure/ error identification | 1 text with errors ( approx. 150-200 words) | Proof reading | 12 |
Test of writing
| Part | Task | Length | | 1 | Write a short report based on one or more graphics ( charts, graphs, etc.) Answers involve describing, comparing and interpreting the information presented. | 120-140 words | | 2 | Write one of the following: report, proposal, or piece of correspondence. Answers are based on the context and instructions for content given in the question. | 200-250 words |
Test of listening
| Part | Input | Question type | No. of questions | | 1 | 1 monologue ( approx.600 words) | Filling 12 gaps with words, numbers or short phrases providing information presented in the monologue. | 12 | | 2 | 5 short monologues relating to a single theme ( approx. 130 words) | Two tasks, each involving choosing which of 8 options matches what each of the speakers says ( 5 questions per task). | 10 | | 3 | 1 longer conversation , interview or discussion, involving two or more speakers (approx. 600-700 words) | 8 multiple-choice questions, each with 3 options, testing comprehension of details, opinions, etc. Presented by the speakers. | 8 |
Test of speaking
| Part | Activity | Length | | 1 | Conversation between candidate and examiner, candidate gives personal information and opinions. | Approx. 3 minutes | | 2 | Each candidate gives a one-minute talk or presentation on a business theme, based on prompts which they are given. Each candidate chooses from 3 prompts the one they are going to talk about. Candidates respond to each other's talk. | Approx.6 minutes | | 3 | Conversation/ discussion between the two candidates based on a prompt given to both of them. The prompt contains a business context and 2 discussion points. The discussion then continues with the examiner taking part. | Approx. 7 minutes | GRADING AND RESULTS The four papers total 120 marks, after weighting. Each skill represents 25% of the total marks available.
The grade boundaries ( A, B, C, D and E) are set using the following information: - statistics on the candidature
- statiscics on the overall candidate performance
- statiscics on the individual items (Reading and Listening)
- the advice of the Chief Examiners, based on the performance of candidates, and on the recommendation of examiners where this is relevant (Writing)
- comparison with statiscics from previous years' examination performance and candidature.
A candidate's overall grade is based on the total score gained in all three papers.
It is not necessary to achieve a satisfactory level in all three papers in order to pass the examination. |
Charakterystyka egzaminów 
