B1 Business Preliminary exam (BEC)

B1 Business Preliminary, previously known as Cambridge English: Business Preliminary (BEC), is an intermediate-level business English exam designed to evaluate candidates' ability to communicate in a professional environment. It assesses essential language skills required for everyday business situations, including meetings, emails, and telephonic conversations. B1 Business Preliminary is ideal for individuals seeking to demonstrate their practical English language proficiency in a corporate setting.

Time: Approximately 12-14 minutes

B1 Business Preliminary exam -BEC

The Speaking test is a crucial component of the B1 Business Preliminary exam, which assesses the English language proficiency of candidates at an intermediate level for business-related communication. The B1 Business Preliminary Speaking test evaluates a candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a business context, using appropriate business vocabulary and structures. It is conducted face-to-face with an examiner and aims to demonstrate the candidate's ability to engage in business-related conversations and discussions. Let's explore each part of the B1 Business Preliminary Speaking test:

1

Part 1

In Part 1 of the B1 Business Preliminary Speaking test, the examiner initiates a conversation with the candidate. The discussion begins with general questions about the candidate's work, studies, experiences, and interests related to the business context. This section serves as an icebreaker and aims to put the candidate at ease, allowing them to demonstrate their ability to engage in business-oriented conversations.

2

Part 2

Part 2 of the B1 Business Preliminary Speaking test involves a collaborative task between the candidate and the examiner. The examiner provides a set of prompts related to a business situation or issue, and the candidate and the examiner engage in a short conversation based on the given information. This task evaluates the candidate's ability to respond to business-related questions, provide relevant information, and interact in a professional and communicative way.

3

Part 3

Part 3 involves a collaborative task between the candidate and the examiner. The examiner provides a set of prompts related to a specific theme or issue, and the candidate and the examiner engage in a discussion based on the given information. This task evaluates the candidate's ability to express and justify opinions, analyze information critically, and engage in interactive communication with the examiner.


1. Business Vocabulary and Language:
Candidates are assessed on their ability to use appropriate business-related vocabulary and language structures accurately. This includes terms, expressions, and phrases commonly used in a business context.

2. Fluency and Coherence in Business Communication:
Candidates are evaluated on their ability to communicate fluently and maintain coherence in business-related conversations and discussions.

3. Business Interaction and Communication Skills:
The candidate's ability to engage in professional and effective communication in a business context is assessed. This includes responding to business-related questions, providing relevant information, and expressing opinions clearly.

4. Pronunciation and Intonation in a Business Context:
Candidates are evaluated on their pronunciation and intonation in a business context. Clear pronunciation and appropriate intonation contribute to effective business communication.

An example of the speaking test..

Take a look at the video on the right to see what the B1 Business Preliminary (BEC) speaking test looks like. If you have any problems, or questions about the B1 Business Preliminary speaking test, just send me an email

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