Business English (BEC)
Enhance your employability and acquire English skills required to get your dream job. You can get a Business English Certificate (BEC) in three different levels.
BEC exam dates 2023 at IH Bratislava
| Level CEFR |
Exam date/ written part |
Registration closing |
Fee | Exam date/ oral part |
Exam duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1 Business Preliminary | TBA | - | 130 EUR | - | cca 2 hodiny, 22 min. |
| B2 Business Vantage | TBA | - | 185 EUR | - | cca 2 hodiny, 40 min. |
| C1 Business Higher | TBA | - | 195 EUR | - | cca 3 hodiny, 6 min. |
Online registration form
We can run the testing by four test takers.
Exam process
General binding conditions for registration (PDF 109kb)
Would you like to be prepared for the exam?
Register for our BEC preparation courses.
add B1 Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary)
Structure of B1 Business Preliminary
BEC Preliminary consists of 3 parts:- Reading and Writing (1h 30 min) - 7 parts of Reading and 2 parts of Writing together account for 50 % of the overall grade.
Candidates show the ability to read and understand the main features of graphs and tables, messages and emails, as well as usage of correct language structures and vocabulary. Candidates also write two short pieces of writing related to internal communication (memo, report) and business communication (email, letter). - Listening (approx 40 min) – 4 parts, accounting for 25 % of the overall grade.
This part requires you to follow and understand different recordings including interviews and everyday life conversations. - Speaking (12 min a pair of candidates) - 3 parts, accounting for 25 % of the overall grade
Candidates show their spoken English by participating in a conversation by asking and answering questions. They will freely speak about their opinions on different topics (e.g. trade).
B1 Business Preliminary evaluation, results and certificates
The minimum score to pass the B1 Business Preliminary exam is approximately 70 % of the overall score. To pass successfully, it is necessary to reach this percentage in every individual part of the exam.Successful candidates are graded by one of the following grades – "Pass with Distinction", "Pass with Merit" or "Pass".
If a candidate is graded "Pass with Distinction", they have shown exceptional skills at a level higher than required for the B1 level, therefore they will be awarded a certificate with a higher level – B2.
If a candidate is graded "Pass with Merit" or "Pass", they will get a certificate indicating they have successfully reached the level B1.
Candidates who don’t manage to reach the level B1, but pass the exam at a A2 level, will also get a Cambridge BEC Preliminary certificate indicating this level.
More information about B1 Business Preliminary
add B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage)
Structure of B2 Business Vantage
BEC Vantage consists of 4 parts:- Reading (1h) - 5 parts, accounting for 25 % of the overall grade
Candidates show the ability to read and understand different types of text such as business publications and correspondence. - Writing (45min) - 2 parts, accounting for 25 % of the overall grade
Candidates write two different pieces of writing such as letters, reports, proposals, emails. - Listening (approx. 40min) - 3 parts, accounting for 25 % of the overall grade
This part requires you to follow and understand different recordings including interviews, conversations and presentations. - Speaking (14minapair of candidates) - 3 parts, accounting for 25 % of the overall grade
This part tests your ability of effective communication face to face in different situations.
Cambridge B2 Business Vantage evaluation, results and certificates
The minimum score to pass the Cambridge BEC Vantage exam is approximately 60 % of the overall score. To pass successfully, it is necessary to reach this percentage in every individual part of the exam.Successful candidates are graded by one of the following grades – "A", "B" or "C".
If a candidate is graded "A", they have shown exceptional skills at a level higher than required for the B2 level, therefore they will be awarded a certificate with a higher level – C1.
If a candidate is graded "B" or "C", they will get a certificate indicating they have successfully reached the level B2.
Candidates who don’t manage to reach the level B2, but pass the exam at a B1 level, will also get a Cambridge BEC Vantage certificate indicating this level.
More information about B2 Business Vantage
add C1 Business Higher (BEC Higher)
Structure of C1 Business Higher
BEC Higher consists of 4 parts:- Reading (1h) - 6 parts, accounting for 25 % of the overall grade
Candidates show their ability to deal with different types of text. - Writing (1h 10min) - 2 parts, accounting for 25 % of the overall grade
Candidates write different pieces of writing such as memos, letter, emails, reports,and proposals. - Listening (approx. 40min) - 3 parts, accounting for 25 % of the overall grade
Candidates show their ability to follow and understand different recordings such as presentations, interviews and conversations. - Speaking (16mina pair) - 3 parts, accounting for 25 % of the overall grade
This part tests your ability of effective communication face to face in different situations.
Cambridge C1 Business Higher evaluation, results and certificates
The minimum score to pass the Cambridge BEC Higher exam is approximately 60 % of the overall score. To pass successfully, it is necessary to reach this percentage in every individual part of the exam.Successful candidates are graded by one of the following grades – "A", "B" or "C".
If a candidate is graded "A", they have shown exceptional skills at a level higher than required for the C1 level, therefore they will be awarded a certificate with a higher level – C2.
If a candidate is graded "B" or "C", they will get a certificate indicating they have successfully reached the level C1.
Candidates who don’t manage to reach the level C1, but pass the exam at a B2 level, will also get a Cambridge BEC Vantage certificate indicating this level.
More information about C1 Business Higher