Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many marks is the Speaking test worth?

How much do the candidates need to know about business to be successful in the Speaking test?

What if a candidate doesn't know anything about any of the topics for the 1-minute presentation?

Does the three minutes allowed for Part 3 include time to read the information?

For Part 3, is it best for the candidates to decide on a specific company to use as a context and to discuss the problem around that?

What happens if two candidates are mismatched, e.g. a shy person with a more dominant person?

What should a candidate do if s/he doesn't understand a question?

Is it an advantage to know your partner in the Speaking test?

Are the candidates compared to each other at all when they're marked?

Does the interview always have a 2:2 format?

Is it necessary to pass all parts of the exam to pass overall?

How many marks is the Speaking test worth?
It is worth 25% of the total marks for the BEC Higher examination.

How much do candidates need to know about business to be successful in the Speaking test?
The BEC exams test English language in a business context. They are not focused on any specific branch, e.g. banking or computing, but candidates are expected to be familiar with a broad spectrum of business situations and the vocabulary appropriate to them.

What if a candidate doesn't know anything about any of the topics for the 1-minute presentation?
Topics used are accessible to candidates without specialist knowledge. There are three topics for candidates to choose from. The first topic is always the most general and is suitable for those with minimal or even no working experience. The second topic is more specific to work contexts, and the third is most suited to those with experience of work situations. Candidates are marked on their language and not on their knowledge of the topic or the originality of their ideas.

Does the three minutes allowed for Part 3 include time to read the information?
No, the candidates have an additional 30 seconds to silently read the task before the actual discussion begins.

For Part 3, is it best for the candidates to decide on a specific company to use as a context and to discuss the situation around that?
If both candidates come from the same company, then clearly they already share a certain knowledge, which they can use as a basis for their discussion. If, however, the candidates don't know each other, it is not a good idea to spend time trying to decide on a specific context. Added to this is the fact that keeping an open context extends the potential for ideas and suggestions in discussing the task. This is a discussion task and not a role play.

What happens if two candidates are mismatched, e.g. a shy person with a more dominant one?
Examiners are trained to handle such situations and to ensure that both candidates are given equal opportunities, which they should then use to show what they know. The questions after the Part 3 task enable the interlocutor to ensure both candidates have equal opportunities.

What should a candidate do if s/he doesn't understand a question?
Ask! Good communication involves asking for clarification where necessary and in an appropriate manner.

Is it an advantage to know your partner in the Speaking test?
Not really. Candidates should be encouraged to change partners in class so that they grow accustomed to interacting with a variety of people, some of whom they don't know well.

Are the candidates compared to each other when they're marked?
No, each candidate is marked on the basis of their individual performance.

Does the interview always have a 2:2 format?
No, if there is an uneven number of candidates, a group of three is allowed.

Is it necessary to pass all parts of the exam to pass overall?
No. the BEC Higher Speaking test represents 25% of the total marks available. A candidate's overall grade is based on the total score gained in all papers. It is not necessary to achieve a satisfactory level in each paper in order to pass the examination.