This document provides information about the Cambridge English: Business Preliminary exam, which certifies a basic level of business English proficiency. It describes the exam format and content, including three sections that assess reading and writing, listening, and speaking skills. For the reading and writing section, test takers complete multiple-choice questions, matching tasks, notes, and two short writing responses. The listening section includes multiple-choice questions and note-taking tasks. Finally, the speaking section consists of a 12-minute interview with one other candidate. The document offers tips for preparing for and doing well on each exam section.

1. Done by: Shakieva G.
Makarova D.
Sultanova N.

2.  With this qualification, you show employers that
you have a good knowledge of English for practical,
everyday use in business.
 There are three exams in the Cambridge English:
Business Certificates (BEC) suite of exams. Each
one is targeted at a different level and Cambridge
English: Business Preliminary is the first of these
exams. The content for each exam is based on
everyday work and business tasks and is designed
to develop your business English skills.

3. Cambridge English: Business Preliminary
certificate shows that you can:
 talk about business subjects
 understand charts and graphs
 write a short business email
 follow short telephone conversations.

4. Reasons to choose Cambridge English: Business
Preliminary:

Succeed in business-related studies with English
language skills you can prove.

Improve your career opportunities – get the English
language skills you need to be successful.

Accepted globally by top international companies like
Procter & Gamble, HSBC and AstraZeneca, as well as
education institutions and business schools.

5. Key facts

CEFR level:B1

Test format: Computer or paper-based

No. of papers:3

Exam length: About 2 hours 20 minutes

6. BEC Preliminary

9. Reading & Writing- 90 minutes:
45 reading questions, 2 writing questions
Part 1 - 5 short texts each followed by a
multiple-choice question
Part 2 - match questions to parts of a text
Part 3 - match questions to parts of a graphic
Part 4 - text and questions:
Right/Wrong/Doesn’t say.

10. Part 5 - text and multiple choice questions
Part 6 - text with multiple choice gaps
Part 7 - note completion
Writing part 1: internal communication such as
email or memo
Writing part 2: business correspondence

11. DO - Reading & Writing
1. Spend time reading the instructions for each part
carefully.
2. Keep an eye on the clock to make sure you finish
the whole question paper.
3. Allow enough time to fill in your answers on the
answer sheet.
4. Try to allow 5–10 minutes of checking time at the
end.
1.Make a plan for each answer in the Writing tasks.
2. Use a range of suitable business words and
expressions in the Writing tasks.
3. Write clearly on the answer sheet, so that the
examiner can read the answer.
4. Keep within the word limit for the Writing tasks.

12. DON’T - Reading & Writing
1. Don’t answer questions without reading the whole text
first.
2. Don’t copy a lot from the text(s)
3. Don’t guess an answer – always check the text.
1. Don’t add too much information to your Writing Part 1
answer.
2. Don’t copy too much language from the question paper.
3. Don’t misspell key words which appear on the question
paper.
4. Don’t use the same words and phrases too many times
– use a range of vocabulary.
5. Don’t mix formal and informal language in the Writing
tasks.

14. Listening & Speaking
Listening - 40 minutes, 30 questions
Part 1 - multiple choice
Part 2 - note completion, numbers and
letters
Part 3 - note completion
Part 4 - multiple choice
Speaking - interview, normally with another
candidate, 12 minutes

15. DO - Listening & Speaking
1. Get plenty of speaking practice in small groups,
especially on business-related topics likely to be
used in the exam.
2. Listen to native (or near native) speakers of
English doing similar tasks.
3. Collect and keep records of words and phrases
useful for carrying out the exam tasks.
4. Speak clearly and loudly enough for the examiners
to hear you.
5. Avoid long silences and pauses.
6. Listen to your partner and respond.

16. DON’T - Listening & Speaking
1. Don't memorize long answers while preparation.
2. Don't try to talk much more than your partner or
interrupt in an impolite way.
3. Don't worry about not knowing a word or
phrase. Try to explain it in other words.
4. Don't worry too much about making mistakes.
5. Don't just respond to what has been said. 6. Be
prepared to start the discussion and develop your
partner’s ideas.

17. Thank you for your attention!