1. Level setting
BEC is divided into three levels corresponding to different levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):
Primary (BEC Preliminary): corresponds to the CEFR B1 level, with a total score of 170 points and passing score of 140 points or above. The grade includes: A2 (144-159 points, not passed but with Cambridge English Certificate) and B1 (160-170 points, passed).
Intermediate (BEC Vantage): corresponds to CEFR B2 level, with a total score of 190 points and passing score of 160 points or above. The grade includes: B1 (144-159 points, not passed but certificate obtained) and B2 (160-179 points, passed).
Senior (BEC Higher): corresponds to the CEFR C1 level, with a total score of 210 points. 180 points or above is passed. The grade includes: B2 (160-179 points, not passed but certificate obtained) and C1 (180-200 points, passed).
2. Content and form of the examination
Written test (paper-based)
read ：
Primary: 90 minutes, including 5 short passages, including multiple choice questions, matching questions, chart matching and so on.
Intermediate: 60 minutes, including 5 articles, including collocation questions, multiple choice questions, cloze test and error correction questions.
Advanced: 60 minutes, including 6 passages, including collocation questions, seven out of six, multiple choice questions, cloze test, error correction questions.
writing ：
Junior: 90 minutes, two compositions (150-200 words business letters) to be completed.
Intermediate: 45 minutes, including a short report (120-140 words) and a business letter (120-140 words).
Advanced: 70 minutes, including a short report (120-140 words) and a business document (200-250 words, such as a report or proposal).
hearing ：
Primary: 40 minutes, including multiple choice and fill in the blanks questions, covering daily business conversations and short radio broadcasts.
Intermediate: 40 minutes, including fill-in-the-blank questions, multiple choice combinations, and multiple choice questions. The content includes business meetings, interviews, etc.
Advanced: 40 minutes, including fill-in-the-blank questions, multiple choice combinations, and multiple choice questions. The content involves high-level business discussions, speeches, etc.
Oral test (one-to-one dialogue)
Primary: 12 minutes, divided into three parts: daily communication, brief discussion and topic description.
Intermediate: 14 minutes, including an interview, a short speech (1 minute preparation +1 minute presentation), and a partner discussion (30 seconds preparation +3 minutes interaction).
Advanced: 16 minutes, including interview, brief speech (1 minute preparation +1 minute presentation), and in-depth discussion (30 seconds preparation +5 minutes interaction).
3. Scoring criteria
Total score calculation: listening, speaking, reading and writing each account for 25%, and the total score is weighted average. For example, the total score of the primary level is 170 points (42.5 points for each part), the intermediate level is 190 points (47.5 points for each part), and the advanced level is 210 points (52.5 points for each part).
Grading level: Pass level is B1 (beginner), B2 (intermediate), C1 (advanced); fail but get the certificate level is A2 (beginner), B1 (intermediate), B2 (advanced); F is fail.
-Oral score: two examiners will score (one 20 points, one 10 points) and comprehensively evaluate the four dimensions of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and interaction.
IV. Examination schedule (2025)
Test Date:
Junior/advanced: 13 September (9:00-11:10 for junior, 9:00-11:50 for advanced).
Intermediate: Morning of September 20 (9:00-11:25).
Oral test time: usually in the afternoon of the written test day or the next morning, depending on the admission ticket.
Registration time: 10:00 on May 22 to 16:00 on June 11, through China Education Examination Network (https://bec.neea.edu.cn/).
V. Other matters needing attention
Certificate validity: lifelong.
Test fee: about 465 yuan for primary level, about 580 yuan for intermediate level and about 725 yuan for advanced level (subject to the announcement of the test site).
Computer-based test: The 2025 exam will be mainly in the form of paper and pen, and computer-based test has not been included in the official arrangement.
The BEC exam focuses on the practical ability of English in business situations, and is suitable for professionals or learners who plan to enter the international business field. It is recommended to choose the corresponding level according to your own English level, and practice with real questions to familiarize yourself with the question type and the pace of the exam.
