B2 Business (BEC) Vantage
Business Certifications
Important Announcement: Discontinuation of Cambridge English Business Exams
After 28 years of making a significant impact on learners globally, Cambridge English Business Qualifications (BEC) is now discontinued. Despite its historical success, a decline in global BEC candidates over the past five years and evolving assessment preferences have led Cambridge Assessment English to discontinue these exams. As of January 2024, BEC sessions will no longer be offered. Moving forward, learners will find alternatives in products like Cambridge English Qualifications for General and Higher Education.
The last BEC examinations took place up until December 2023, and no further exam sessions will be scheduled thereafter. Certificates issued before this date will remain valid, allowing candidates to showcase their English proficiency to employers and universities.
B2 Business Vantage is made up of four papers (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) developed to test candidates’ English skills. Having B2 Business Vantage qualification shows that candidates can write short business messages, reports and proposals, read extracts from business publications and listen to, understand and contribute to discussions in meetings. Achieving a certificate at this level proves that candidates are becoming skilled in Business English.
B2 Business Vantage is aimed at learners who want to:
- Succeed in business-related studies with English language skills they can prove.
- Improve their career opportunities – get the English language skills they need to be successful.
B2 Business Vantage is accepted globally by top international companies as well as education institutions and business schools.
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Section |
Time |
Description |
# of items |
|
Reading |
1 hour |
Part 1 Either four short texts on a related topic or one text divided into four sections and a series of statements. Candidates have to match each statement to the text or section where they can find the information. |
7 questions |
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Part 2 A text with gaps and some sentences (A–G). Each gap represents a missing sentence. Candidates have to read the text and the sentences and decide which sentence belongs in each gap. |
5 questions |
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Part 3 A single text with six comprehension questions. Candidates have to read the text and choose the right answer for each question (A, B, C or D). |
6 questions |
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Part 4 A text with gaps. Each gap represents one word or phrase. Candidates have to read the text and choose the right word or phrase to fill each gap from a choice of four (A, B, C or D). |
15 questions |
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Part 5 A text in which some lines are correct and some lines have an extra, unnecessary word. If the line is correct, candidates write 'CORRECT' on their answer sheet. If the line is not correct, they have to write down the extra word. |
12 questions |
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Writing |
45 minutes |
Part 1 A description of a business situation. Candidates have to write an internal company communication (message, memo or email) using the information provided. |
40-50 words |
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Part 2 Some material (letter, fax, email, note, notice, advert, graph, chart) to read. Candidates have to write a piece of business correspondence, a report or a proposal based on the information. |
120-140 words |
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Listening |
about 40 minutes |
Part 1 Three monologues or dialogues. For each recording, candidates have to listen and fill in four gaps in a short text, such as a form. |
12 questions |
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Part 2 Two sets of five short monologues (recordings of one person speaking). Each set is linked by a common theme and has a list of eight options (A–H). Candidates have to match each speaker to one of the options. |
10 questions |
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Part 3 One longer conversation or monologue (interview, discussion, presentation, etc.) and some comprehension questions. Candidates have to listen to the recording and choose the right answer (A, B or C) for each question. |
8 questions |
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Speaking |
14 minutes per pair of candidates |
Part 1 Conversation between the examiner and each candidate. The examiner encourages the candidates to give information about themselves and to express personal opinions. |
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Part 2 A ‘mini-presentation’ by each candidate on a business theme. The candidates are given prompts which generate a short talk on a business-related topic. |
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Part 3 A collaborative task which candidates do together. The candidates are presented with a discussion on a business-related topic. The examiner extends the discussion with prompts on related topics. |
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B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage) is recognized by the private sector. It is also officially recognized in Greece by the state (ASEP/Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection) as a certification of English language competence at various levels depending on the Cambridge English Scale overall score, as follows:
|
Level of recognition |
Overall score |
|
C1 |
180-190 |
|
B2 |
160-179 |
|
B1 |
140-159 |
B2 Business Vantage is accepted globally by top international companies as well as education institutions and business schools.
