Achieve your ambitions in international business
The Cambridge English Qualifications for Business were, until December 2023, a suite of three qualifications for international business:
- B1 Business Preliminary
- B2 Business Vantage
- C1 Business Higher
These qualifications are no longer being administered, though the certificates are still recognised by a variety of institutions.
Cambridge English
B1 Business Preliminary
Cambridge English
B2 Business Vantage
Cambridge English
C1 Business Higher
They show that you can use English confidently in international business environments.
Useful links
Cambridge English: B1 Business Preliminary
What level is B1 Business Preliminary?
This Cambridge English Qualification is set at Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This is the level of English required for professional and academic settings at an intermediate standard for business. A certificate at this level shows employers that you can read short business messages, interpret charts, write a short business email, follow short telephone conversations and discussions and talk about business-related matters.
What was assessed in B1 Business Preliminary?
The exam was made up of three papers, with the content shown below:
Paper | Reading and Writing | Listening | Speaking |
Time allowed | 1 hour 30 minutes | About 40 minutes, including transfer time | 12 minutes per pair of candidates |
Content | Reading: 7 parts | 4 parts | 3 parts |
Marks | 50% | 25% | 25% |
Purpose | Shows you can read and understand the main points from graphs or charts, messages and emails, and can use vocabulary and structure correctly. You are also required to be able to produce two short pieces of writing: an internal communication, such as a note or a message, and some business correspondence, such as an email or a letter. | Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials including interviews and discussions about everyday life. | Shows your spoken English as you take part in conversation, asking and answering questions, and talking freely about your opinions, for example, when discussing business-related topics. Your Speaking test will be face-to-face with one or two other candidates. |
Useful links
Cambridge English: B2 Business Vantage
What level is B2 Business Vantage?
This qualification is set at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This is the level of English required for professional and academic settings at an intermediate standard. A certificate at this level shows that you can write short pieces of business correspondence, reports or proposals, read extracts from business publications and listen to, understand and contribute to discussions in meetings.
What was assessed in B2 Business Vantage?
The exam was made up of four papers, with the content shown below:
Paper | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
Time allowed | 1 hour | 45 minutes | About 40 minutes, including transfer time | 14 minutes per pair of candidates |
Content | 5 parts | 2 parts | 3 parts | 3 parts |
Marks | 50% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
Purpose | Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as business publications and correspondence. | Requires you to be able to produce two different pieces of writing, such as letters, reports, proposals and emails. | Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as interviews, discussions and presentations. | Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations. You will take the Speaking test with one or two other candidates. |
Useful links
Cambridge English: C1 Business Higher
C1 Business Higher is the third of the three certificates. It is an advanced level exam. This certificate shows 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 international business situations.
What level is C1 Business Higher?
The level is set at C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This is the level of English required for demanding professional and academic settings and shows employers 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.
What was assessed in C1 Business Higher?
The exam was made up of four papers, with the content shown below:
Paper | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
Time allowed | 1 hour | 1 hour 15 minutes | About 40 minutes, including transfer time | 16 minutes per pair of candidates |
Content | 6 parts | 2 parts | 3 parts | 3 parts |
Marks | 50% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
Purpose | Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text. | You need to be able to write a variety of different items such as memos, letters, emails, reports and proposals. | You need to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as presentations, interviews and discussions. | Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations. Your Speaking test will be face-to-face with one or two other candidates. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. |
Useful links
