B2 BEC Writing Guide

The B2 Business English Certificate (BEC) Writing Exam is designed to assess the writing skills needed in a business context at the upper-intermediate (B2) level. It is part of the Cambridge English Qualifications and is often referred to as BEC Vantage. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the exam:

1. Exam Format:

The Writing part consists of two tasks and has a total duration of 45 minutes.

2. Task 1 (60-80 words):

This is usually a short piece of writing, such as an email or a memo. The task will ask you to:

Respond to a business situation.
Convey relevant information based on the prompt.
The content should be concise and professional, adhering to business etiquette.

Example:

You may be asked to respond to a colleague’s email, providing information, making a request, or giving a recommendation.

3. Task 2 (120-140 words):

This is a longer piece of writing, such as:

A business report.
A proposal.
A letter.

You will need to analyze and respond to a situation, showing that you can:

Structure your writing logically.
Use appropriate business language and tone.
Address the target audience and their needs.

Example:

You might be required to write a report analyzing the success of a project or proposing a solution to a business problem.

4. Scoring and Criteria:

Your writing is scored based on the following criteria:

Content: How well you have answered the question and included all relevant information.
Communicative Achievement: How appropriate your language is for the task, tone, and audience.
Organization: How well-structured your writing is.
Language: Grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.

5. Preparation Tips:

Familiarize yourself with business correspondence formats: emails, reports, proposals, and memos.
Practice concise writing: Stay within word limits while covering the necessary points.
Use appropriate business vocabulary and tone: Politeness and clarity are key.
Plan your answers: Spend a few minutes outlining the structure before you start writing to ensure coherence.