Basic Communication Certificate in English (BCCE™)

The Basic Communication Certificate in English (BCCE™) examination is designed for students who require certification of their competency in English as a second or other language at an intermediate level. The BCCE™ is aimed at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and was designed to bridge the gap between A2 and B2 level examinations.

The BCCE™ is developed and scored by Hellenic American University. All parts of the examination are written following specific guidelines and test specifications. Items are pre-tested to ensure standardization and validity. Care is taken that the tests are fair and accessible to all examinees.

The BCCE™ tests communicative competency in all four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, as well as their vocabulary and grammar resources.

Uses of the BCCE™

The BCCE™ is used by organizations, firms, public agencies, and academic institutions for a wide range of purposes. The following  is just a sample of possible uses:

  • Corporate users can use the BCCE™ as a useful tool when recruiting a global workforce
  • Government agencies can use the BCCE™ when setting language requirements for migrants
  • Job placement agencies can use the BCCE™ when setting language requirements for non-native speakers of English
The Level of the BCCE™

The BCCE™ aims at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference. At the B1 level, language users:

  • can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
  • can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken
  • can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest
  • can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans