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Business English Certificates (BEC) discontinued
Due to a review of the Cambridge English Qualifications portfolio, the Business English Certificates (BEC) will be discontinued at the end of 2023. We are preparing for this change and have already been in contact with many of you. The recommended replacements for BEC are: Linguaskill, B1 Preliminary, B2 First or C1 Advanced. These exams provide a more comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of English language proficiency, and they are more accessible and user-friendly than their predecessors. If you have any further questions about the BEC exams, please contact us. If you are a preparation centre, we will be happy to organise individual meetings where we can discuss which alternative would be the most suitable for your centre and students.
Information for candidates
A guide to the exam, with advice on preparing for the exam, tips for exam day and useful links.
C1 Business Higher is made up of four papers developed to test your English skills:
1 hour
The C1 Business Higher Reading paper has six parts with different types of texts and questions. For each part, you have to read one long text or two or more shorter, related texts. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
1 hour, 10 minutes
In the two parts of the C1 Business Higher Writing paper, you have to show that you can write different types of text in English. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
About 40 minutes, including time to transfer your answers onto the answer sheet.
The C1 Business Higher Listening paper has five parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
16 minutes per pair of candidates
The C1 Business Higher Speaking test has three parts and you take it together with another candidate. There are two examiners. One of the examiners (the interlocutor) conducts the test and the other examiner (the assessor) listens to what you say and takes notes.This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Choosing your Speaking Test partner
If you would like to be paired together with a friend/classmate, you can request this when you register for the exam. Please note however that research has shown that there are both advantages and disadvantages in taking the test with someone you know and that in the end it doesn’t matter. What is important is that the test judges you on your own performance.
Information for candidates:
The Information for Candidates booklet is packed with study tips, exam advice and frequently asked questions. A great way to help your learners feel fully prepared for their exam.
Sample tests
You will need to use the Firefox browser to access these sample tests. You can download Firefox for free here.
Watch this tutorial before you start to help you understand what you need to do.
There is no answer key for the Writing paper, but there are sample answers and examiner comments in the Business handbook.
To access vocabulary at C1 level that could be used in C1 Business Higher, please refer to the English vocabulary profile
Use this checklist to improve your written English and practice for your exam.
A sample Speaking test worksheet for students from the C1 Business Higher Speaking test preparation pack.
You can also watch a 360⁰ of a full C1 Business Higher speaking test.
Information for candidates
A guide to the exam, with advice on preparing for the exam, tips for exam day and useful links.
C1 Business Higher is made up of four papers developed to test your English skills:
1 hour
The C1 Business Higher Reading paper has six parts with different types of texts and questions. For each part, you have to read one long text or two or more shorter, related texts. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
1 hour, 10 minutes
In the two parts of the C1 Business Higher Writing paper, you have to show that you can write different types of text in English. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
About 40 minutes, including time to transfer your answers onto the answer sheet.
The C1 Business Higher Listening paper has five parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
16 minutes per pair of candidates
The C1 Business Higher Speaking test has three parts and you take it together with another candidate. There are two examiners. One of the examiners (the interlocutor) conducts the test and the other examiner (the assessor) listens to what you say and takes notes.This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Choosing your Speaking Test partner
If you would like to be paired together with a friend/classmate, you can request this when you register for the exam. Please note however that research has shown that there are both advantages and disadvantages in taking the test with someone you know and that in the end it doesn’t matter. What is important is that the test judges you on your own performance.
Information for candidates:
The Information for Candidates booklet is packed with study tips, exam advice and frequently asked questions. A great way to help your learners feel fully prepared for their exam.
Sample tests
You will need to use the Firefox browser to access these sample tests. You can download Firefox for free here.
Watch this tutorial before you start to help you understand what you need to do.
There is no answer key for Writing Parts 2 and 3 of the Reading and Writing paper, but there are sample answers and examiner comments in the Business handbook.
Para acceder al vocabulario del nivel B2 que puede usarse en el examen C1 Business Higher, consulta el English vocabulary profile.
Use this checklist to improve your written English and practice for your exam.
A sample Speaking test worksheet for students from the C1 Business Higher Speaking test preparation pack.
You can also watch a 360⁰ of a full C1 Business Higher speaking test.