Cambridge Assessment English: Business B1 Preliminary, B2 Vantage & C1 Higher
Cambridge English Business Certificates are recognised by employers, ministries, government bodies and professional organisations throughout the world. This valuable suite of three qualifications provides clear proof that you have the English skills to make you an asset to your employer.

Achieve your ambitions in international business
In today’s challenging business environment, companies are seeking employees with English language skills to help their organisation compete internationally. You can give yourself a vital advantage by making sure you have the language skills that employers are looking for. Cambridge English: Business Certificates are developed in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – the internationally accepted system for describing language ability.

A clear route for progression
Cambridge English Business Certificates feature three certificates that provide a progressive way to develop and improve Business English ability, and make it easy to prove to employers the exact level of your English skills.
  • B1 Preliminary
  • B2 Vantage
  • C1 Higher
  • Registration
A B1 Business Preliminary certificate shows that you can:

> talk about business subjects;

> understand charts and graphs;

> write a short business email ;

> follow short telephone conversations.
Reasons to choose B1 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.



Language skills for real-life business situations

Business qualifications leaflet
Business B1 Preliminary, is set at Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The content in Business B1 Preliminary reflects everyday work and business tasks. Preparing for your exam will give you skills that will make you an asset to your employer.
At this level, you would be able to carry out basic office tasks such as:
  • reading short messages
  • interpreting charts
  • writing a short email
  • following short telephone conversations and discussions
  • talking about business-related matters


Improving your employability and career prospects
Proving your business English abilities can open the door to career opportunities with a new employer, or can make your ambitions for promotion or career development within your current organisation a reality.


Clear, reliable evidence of your language ability
Employers value and rely on Business B1 Preliminary because it is a thorough test of all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) in a business context.


Fair and valid
Cambridge English carries out detailed research and analysis to ensure all our exams are accurate, relevant and fair to the people that take them. The systems and processes meet the internationally recognised ISO 9001:2008 quality management standard.


Business B1 Preliminary has 3 parts:
Reading & Writing: 1 hour, 30 minutes
The Business B1 Preliminary Reading & Writing has seven parts for Reading and two tasks for Writing. There are different types of texts and questions.In the Reading part of the test you are tested on your ability to understand gist and detail and to identify main points and specific information. You are also tested on vocabulary and understanding the structure and development of a text. When examiners assess your writing, they will think about task achievement, range of structure and vocabulary, accuracy and control of language, organisation and cohesion, appropriacy of register and format and the effect the writing will have on the target reader. The Reading and Writing test accounts for 50% of the total mark – 25% for Reading and 25% for Writing.
Listening: about 40 minutes
The Business B1 Preliminary Listening has four parts. For each part, you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice. The recordings are scripted. They all deal with business topics and situations. Nearly all have one or two speakers. The Listening test accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Speaking: 16 minutes per pair of candidates
The Business B1 Preliminary Speaking Test has three parts and you take it together with another candidate. There are two examiners. One of the examiners talks to you and the other examiner listens and takes notes. One examiner (the interlocutor) speaks to you, and the other (the assessor) does not take part in the test but listens to you speak and interact with the other candidate. Both examiners give you a mark, but the assessor gives more detailed marks than the interlocutor. The Speaking test accounts for 25% of the total mark.



Exams Owl is our support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on the exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam:

- Sample tests - Speaking test videos
- Candidate information - Preparation resources
- Exam day tips



Results and certificates

Official support site of Exams Catalunya,Exams Catalunya and Exams Balears for Preparation Centres, Teachers and Candidates

In our portal Exams Owl you will find all the information you need
about results and certificates.


- Exam results - Statement of Results
- Checking and verifying results - Certificates
- Enquiries and appeals  - Lost certificates
A B2 Business Vantage certificate shows that you can:

> write short business messages and reports;

> read articles from business publications;

> listen to, understand and give your opinions in meetings.
Reasons to choose B2 Business Vantage:

> Improve your career opportunities – get the English language skills you need to be successful.

> Succeed in business-related studies with English language skills you can prove.

> Accepted globally by top international companies like Procter & Gamble, HSBC and AstraZeneca, as well as education institutions and business schools.



Language skills for real-life business situations

Business qualifications leaflet
Business B2 Vantage, is set at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The content in Business B2 Vantage reflects everyday work and business tasks. Preparing for your exam will give you skills that will make you an asset to your employer.
At this level you would be able to:
  • write short pieces of business correspondence, reports or proposals
  • read extracts from business publications
  • listen to, understand and contribute to discussions in meetings
Improving your employability and career prospects
Proving your business English abilities can open the door to career opportunities with a new employer, or can make your ambitions for promotion or career development within your current organisation a reality.


Clear, reliable evidence of your language ability
Employers value and rely on Business B2 Vantage because it is a thorough test of all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) in a business context.


Fair and valid
Cambridge English carries out detailed research and analysis to ensure all our exams are accurate, relevant and fair to the people that take them. The systems and processes meet the internationally recognised ISO 9001:2008 quality management standard.


Business B2 Vantage has 4 parts:
Reading: 1 hour
The Business B2 Vantage Reading paper has four parts and different types of texts and questions. You are tested on your ability to understand gist, detail and the text structure and to identify main points and specific information. You are also tested on vocabulary, understanding discourse features and the ability to identify errors. The Reading test accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Writing: 45 minutes
The Business B2 Vantage Writing paper has different types of texts and questions. There are 2 parts. The scores are converted to provide a mark out 10 for Part 1 and a mark out of 20 for Part 2. The Writing paper is worth a total of 30 marks (25% of the total score).
Listening: about 40 minutes (+ 5 minutes transfer time)
The Business B2 Vantage Listening paper has three parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice. The recordings are scripted. They all deal with business topics and situations. All have one or two speakers. The Listening test accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Speaking: 10-12 minutes per pair of candidates
The Business B2 Vantage Speaking Test has three parts and you take it together with another candidate. There are two examiners. One of the examiners conducts the test and the other examiner listens to what you say and takes notes. One examiner (the interlocutor) speaks to you, and the other (the assessor) does not take part in the test but listens to you speak and interact with the other candidate. Both examiners give you a mark, but the assessor gives more detailed marks than the interlocutor. The Speaking test accounts for 25% of the total mark.



Exams Owl is our support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on the exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam:

- Sample tests - Speaking test videos
- Candidate information - Preparation resources
- Exam day tips



Results and certificates

Official support site of Exams Catalunya,Exams Catalunya and Exams Balears for Preparation Centres, Teachers and Candidates

In our portal Exams Owl you will find all the information you need
about results and certificates.


- Exam results - Statement of Results
- Checking and verifying results - Certificates
- Enquiries and appeals  - Lost certificates
A C1 Business Higher certificate shows that you can:

> communicate effectively at managerial and professional level;

> participate with confidence in workplace meetings and presentations;

> express yourself with a high level of fluency;

> react appropriately in different cultural and social situations.
Reasons to choose C1 Business Higher:

> Improve your career opportunities – get the English language skills you need to be successful.

 > Succeed in business-related studies with English language skills you can prove.

> Accepted globally by top international companies like Procter & Gamble, HSBC and AstraZeneca, as well as education institutions and business schools.




Language skills for real-life business situations

Business qualifications leaflet
Business C1 Higher, is set at Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Business C1 Higher shows the employers that you have the drive and motivation to achieve an advanced level of business English, and can use your skills to function effectively in most international business situations.
C1 is the level of English required for demanding professional and academic settings and shows employers you can:
  • communicate effectively at managerial and professional level
  • participate with confidence in workplace meetings and presentations
  • express yourself with a high level of fluency
  • react appropriately in different cultural and social situations
If you have not yet entered the job market, it can also be used to show universities and colleges that you can:
  • follow an academic business course at university level
  • carry out complex and challenging research
Improving your employability and career prospects
Proving your business English abilities can open the door to career opportunities with a new employer, or can make your ambitions for promotion or career development within your current organisation a reality.


Clear, reliable evidence of your language ability
Employers value and rely on Business C1 Higher because it is a thorough test of all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) in a business context.


Fair and valid
Cambridge English carries out detailed research and analysis to ensure all our exams are accurate, relevant and fair to the people that take them. The systems and processes meet the internationally recognised ISO 9001:2008 quality management standard.


Business C1 Higher has 4 parts:
Reading: 1 hour
The Business C1 Higher Reading paper has six parts with different types of texts and questions.  You are also tested on vocabulary, understanding discourse features and the ability to identify errors. The Reading paper is worth 25% of the total score.
Writing: 1 hour, 10 minutes
For the Business C1 Higher Writing paper you have to show that you can write different types of text in English. There are two parts. Part 2 is worth twice as many marks as Part 1. The Writing paper is worth a total of 30 marks (25% of the total score).

Listening: about 40 minutes (+ 5 minutes transfer time)
The Business C1 Higher Listening paper has three parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice. The recordings are scripted. They all deal with business topics and situations. Nearly all have one or two speakers. The Listening test accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Speaking: 16 minutes per pair of candidates
The Business C1 Higher Speaking Test has three parts and you take it together with another candidate. There are two examiners. One of the examiners (the interlocutor) conducts the test and the other examiner (the assessor) listens to what you say and takes notes. The Speaking test accounts for 25% of the total mark.



Exams Owl is our support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on the exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam:

- Sample tests - Speaking test videos
- Candidate information - Preparation resources
- Exam day tips



Results and certificates

Official support site of Exams Catalunya,Exams Catalunya and Exams Balears for Preparation Centres, Teachers and Candidates

In our portal Exams Owl you will find all the information you need
about results and certificates.


- Exam results - Statement of Results
- Checking and verifying results - Certificates
- Enquiries and appeals  - Lost certificates

Are you a private candidate?
It’s easy to register for Cambridge English: Business
in just three steps:
Step 1  Find an exam date

You can take the Cambridge English exams most months of the year.
Use our online search to find an exam date.

Step 2  Complete the registration form

You can complete the exam registration form online or come to our offices to register for an exam.

Step 3  Make payment

Payment must be made before the registration deadline. If you register or pay after the deadline a late fee will be applied.

You can choose to pay for your exam via the following payment methods:

  1. By credit/debit card




    Preparation Centres may also make payments by credit card through the Exams Catalunya Online portal.

  2. By bank transfer to any of the following accounts:
    Banco Santander
    Account holder: Assessment and Certification Services, S.L.
    Account number: 0049 4754 89 2516056032
    IBAN: ES9400494754892516056032
    Banco Sabadell
    Account holder: Assessment and Certification Services, S.L.
    Account number: 0081 0053 54 0001180228
    IBAN: ES7300810053540001180228
    IMPORTANT: If you pay for your exam by bank transfer you should clearly state the name and surname/s of the candidate and the level and date of the exam session. All transfers must reach us free of bank charges or interest. Exams Catalunya will not be responsible for these charges. You must send us the payment receipt by email to registrations@exams-catalunya.com so that we may trace your payment with the bank. Your place on the exam will not be confirmed until we receive a payment receipt for the exam fee.

  3. At our offices:
    Registration and payment for exams may also be made at our offices. If candidates choose this option payment should be made on registering. Payment may be made in cash, by bank transfer or credit/debit card.

    C/ Freixa, 5-9
    08021 Barcelona
    Tel: 934 111 333
    Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
    The candidate may register directly or send someone to register in his/her name.
IMPORTANT: After we receive the exam registration form a confirmation of receipt will be sent to the candidate. Once the exam fees have been settled the candidate will receive confirmation that he/she is registered to take the exam.
If you do not receive confirmation of your exam registration within 3 working days please phone us on tel.: 934 111 333. You should also check that our email has not been sent to your junk/spam mail folder.

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