BCCE™ Format & Content

 

Section

Time

Short Description

Number of items

Listening

 

 

Approx. 30 minutes

Part 1(multiple choice)

A short recorded conversation is followed by a question. The answer choices are shown as pictures.

 

10

Part 2(multiple choice)

A short recorded message or announcement is followed by a question that is also printed in the test booklet.

 

9

Part 3(multiple choice)

A recorded radio interview is broken into three segments. Two questions follow each segment. The questions are also printed in the test booklet.

 

6

Part 4 (multiple choice)

A short recorded talk is followed by five questions that are also printed in the test booklet.

 

5

Grammar,

Vocabulary,

Reading(GVR)

 

70 minutes

Grammar (multiple choice)

An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of words or phrases to complete it. Only one choice is grammatically correct.

 

25

Vocabulary(multiple choice)

An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of words or phrases to complete it. Only one choice is semantically correct.

 

25

Reading Part 1 (multiple choice)

Four short related texts presented as advertisements or reviews are accompanied by ten questions.

 

10

 

Reading Part 2(multiple choice)

A short argumentative text is accompanied by five questions.

 

5

Reading Part 3(multiple choice)

A short informal email is accompanied by five questions.

 

5

Reading Part 4 (multiple choice)

A short text is accompanied by five questions.

 

5

Writing

50 minutes

Task A: Email 1

Candidates write an informal email using provided information.

 

2 tasks

 

Task B: Email 2

Candidates write a competition entry email using provided information.

Speaking

10 – 15 minutes

Task 1:Warm Up

Candidates answer non-sensitive personal questions.

 

4 tasks

Task 2:Picture-related questions

Candidates are presented with a picture and are asked to answer picture-related questions.

Task 3:Role Play

Candidates take part in a role-play activity.

Task 4:General Questions

Candidates answer general questions related to the role play.

 

Listening Section

The listening section tests English listening skills and is delivered via an audio recording. It consists of four parts and lasts approximately 30 minutes. The recording uses normal rates of speech delivery and there is no background noise. All questions are printed in the candidate’s test booklet.

Part 1

In Part 1, candidates hear ten short conversations. After each conversation, candidates hear a question that is also written in their test booklets. Candidates choose the correct response from the three pictured answer choices. All conversations and questions are heard only once.

Part 2

In Part 2, candidates hear nine short messages. After each message or announcement, candidates hear a question that is also written in their test booklets. Candidates must choose the correct answer from the three choices A, B, or C to answer each question. All messages or announcements are heard only once.

Part 3

In Part 3, candidates hear an interview broken into three parts. After each part, candidates hear two questions that are also written in their test booklets. Candidates must choose the correct answer from the three choices, A, B, or C to answer each question. The interview and questions are heard only once.

Part 4

In Part 4, candidates hear a short talk. The talk is heard twice and candidates may take notes. After the second listening, the candidates hear five questions that are also written in their test booklets. Candidates must choose the correct answer from the three choices, A, B, or C to answer each question.

Grammar, Vocabulary and Reading (GVR) Section

Grammar

In the grammar part of the GVR section, candidates read an incomplete sentence that is followed by a choice of words or phrases. Candidates choose A, B, C, or D to complete the sentence. Only one choice is grammatically correct. There are 25 grammar questions in the GVR section.

Vocabulary

In the vocabulary part of the GVR section, candidates read an incomplete sentence that is followed by a choice of words or phrases. Candidates choose A, B, C, or D to complete the sentence. Only one choice fits the context of the sentence correctly. There are 25 vocabulary questions in the GVR section.

Reading Part 1

In Reading Part 1, candidates read four short related advertisements or reviews. Candidates answer the ten questions that follow by choosing the best answer from A, B, C, or D based on the information in the texts.

Reading Part 2

In Reading Part 2, candidates read a short argumentative text. Candidates answer the five questions that follow by choosing the best answer from A, B, C, or D based on the information in the text.

Reading Part 3

In Reading Part 3, candidates read a short informal email. Candidates answer the five questions that follow by choosing the best answer from A, B, C, or D based on the information in the text.

Reading Part 4

In Reading Part 4, candidates read a short expository text. Candidates answer the five questions that follow by choosing the best answer from A, B, C, or D based on the information in the text.

Writing Section

The Writing Section of the BCCE™ consists of two tasks. Candidates are given 50 minutes to complete both tasks.

In Task A, candidates write an informal email.
In Task B, candidates write an email competition entry.
In both tasks, candidates are provided with information that they must use and elaborate on. Candidates are expected to write between 80 and 100 words for each task

Speaking Section

The Speaking Section of the BCCE™ consists of four tasks covering more than one theme.
In Task One, candidates answer non-sensitive personal questions and talk about their general likes and dislikes.
In Task Two, candidates are presented with a picture and are asked to answer questions based on it. Candidates are also asked to describe an experience that is similar to the one shown in the picture.
Task Three is a role-play activity in which candidates are presented with specific communicative goals to carry out during the activity.
In Task Four, candidates are presented with a series of general questions related to the theme of the role play.
The Speaking section lasts 10 – 15 minutes and may take place on a date either before or after the administration of the written part of the test.