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Brief Introduction to BCT
Business Chinese Test is a state-level standardized test designed to assess the Chinese proficiency of non-native speakers engaged in business activities. BCT is developed by Peking University under the entrustment of the Office of Chinese Language Council International ("Hanban" for short). Its English name is Business Chinese Test ("BCT" for short).
BCT assesses the communicative ability of test takers using Chinese in a wide range of business-related occasions, daily life and social interactions. The test features practicality and communicativeness, which consists of two relatively independent tests: BCT (Listening & Reading) and BCT (Speaking & Writing). Test-takers may sit for one or both at a time. There is no limit to candidates' age, education or length of learning Chinese.
Hanban is the supervisor of the Business Chinese Test, and issuer of the "Business Chinese Test Certificate."
Business Chinese Test is held regularly in China and other countries each year.
I. Test Takers
BCT is held for non-native speakers. Anyone who is a non-native speaker, whether capable of basic communication or skillful communication, may sit for the BCT. There is no limit to candidates' age, education or length of learning Chinese.
II. Test Purposes
BCT is open for the world to serves various institutions and individuals that want to assess the business Chinese proficiency of relevant persons. Its main purposes include:
1.Provide a basis for employers to assess the business Chinese proficiency of relevant persons when making decisions on employee recruitment, placements and promotions;
2.Help relevant teaching and training institutions to assess the business Chinese proficiency of candidates in recruitment and class divisions;
3.Assess practical effects achieved from training of relevant teaching institutions;
4.Provide a certificate of business Chinese proficiency for any person who seeks a job, takes an interview or wants to get promoted;
5. Help Chinese learners to improve their business Chinese ability.
III. Composition and Form of Test
BCT consists of two independent tests: BCT (Listening & Reading) and BCT (Speaking & Writing). Test takers may sit for one or both at a time.
BCT is held in two forms - Paper-based Test and Computer-based Test. BCT Computer-based Test is only held in Singapore at present.
IV. Standards for BCT Levels
BCT has five levels in total to describe the business Chinese proficiency of test takers, namely:
Level 1 Incapable of communication in Chinese in business activities.
Level 2 Capable of basic communication in Chinese in business activities.
Level 3 Capable of fairly effective communication in Chinese in business activities.
Level 4 Capable of fairly skillful communication in Chinese in business activities.
Level 5 Capable of appropriate communication in Chinese in business activities.
V. Test Scores and Certificate
BCT consists of two relatively independent examinations: BCT (Listening & Reading) and BCT (Speaking & Writing). The score for each specific skill (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) is 0-500, 100 for each level. Total score for listening and reading constitutes the overall score of BCT (listening & reading) ranging from 0 to 1,000 points and each level consisting of 200 points. So does the overall score of BCT (speaking & writing).
Any test taker can receive a score report if he attends listening & reading or speaking & writing test in line with requirements. If the total score for listening and reading comes to 201-400 points, Level 2 "BCT Certificate (listening & reading) "will be awarded; if the total score for speaking and writing comes to 201-400 points, Level 2 "BCT Certificate (speaking & writing) "will be awarded. So do Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5 certificates. There is no Level 1 certificate in BCT.
The score shall be valid for two years from the test date.
Hanban shall be responsible for issuing the "Business Chinese Test Certificate."
VI. Test Time and Location
BCT is held regularly in Chinese mainland and other countries and regions each year.
Individual services with respect to BCT can be provided as required by enterprises or organizations.
For test dates and test center information of BCT, please log on the BCT website www.hanban.org, www.bcthome.cn and Chinese test service website www.chinesetesting.cn for reference.
VII. Test Fees
Test fees of BCT are different all over the world. As for details of fees, please consult the local test center.
Test fees for Chinese mainland is 120 yuan RMB for BCT (Listening & Reading) and 180 yuan RMB for BCT (Speaking & Writing).
VIII. Test Content
Test content of BCT covers business activities and business-related daily life and social interaction activities. As for details, see "Business Chinese Communicative Function Items" in "The BCT Outlines". "The BCT Outlines" is a guide book for your preparation, which covers Introduction to Business Chinese Test, level standards, scoring standards, samples, communicative function items and vocabulary, accompanied with the CD of listening test sample.
IX. Test Registration
Test takers may register for the test at the test center or online.
Test center registration:
1.Please bring valid documents (passport or ID) to relevant test center for registration.
2.Fill in personal information form, and obtain login name and password.
3.Submit a photo with size of 40mm × 30mm, or a digital photo.
4.Pay test fees.
5.Print the test admission ticket or receive it at the test center on the stipulated time.
Online Registration:
Test takers can log on the BCT website (www.bcthome.cn) or the Chinese test service website (www.chinesetesting.cn) for online registration.
X Test Room Regulations
On the test date, be sure to bring:
(1) Test admission ticket;
(2) Identification document used for registration (passport or ID). If you do not take such documents, you are not admitted to enter the test room;
(3) 2B pencils and erasers.
If you lost the test admission ticket, please notify the test center at least one day in advance so the test center can help you print it.
1.Tape recorders, cameras, dictionaries, notebooks, textbooks and other articles having nothing to do with the test and you are not allowed to bring them into the test room.
2.Switch off your mobile phone and MP3 and put them in your bag, and place the bag in a designated place after entering the test room.
3.Don't be late. In case of being late for the Listening and Reading test, if the listening test has not begun, you can enter the room to take the test; if listening test has begun, you are not permitted to enter the room until the listening test is finished. In the Speaking and Writing test, if the speaking test has not begun, you can enter the room to take the test; if the speaking test has begun, you are not permitted to enter the room until the speaking test is finished.
Test Regulations
1. After entering the test room, test takers must put their test admission tickets and identification documents on the right upper corner of the desk for checking by the chief examiner and supervisor at any moment.
2. BCT (Listening & Reading) test lasts about 100 minutes; BCT (Speaking & Writing) lasts 50 minutes. Please reasonably allocate your time.
3. Before answering questions, please fill out relevant information on the answer sheet as required.
4. After the examination begins, generally, no test takers are permitted to leave the test room. If there are special reasons, they must obtain the chief examiner's approval.
5. Test takers shall not open papers in advance, tear, change, or copy contents of test papers; nor should candidates bring test papers and answer sheets out of the test room and conduct other methods of cheating.
6. Please abide by test room disciplines. Test takers who are in violation, the chief examiner will give a warning or even disqualify them.
XI Consultation and Services
Division of Testing, Hanban:
Tel: +86 10 5859 5935
Fax: +86 10 5859 5937
Emaill: kaoshi@hanban.org
Chinese Testing International:
Tel: +86 10 8252 0491
Fax: +86 10 8252 0488
Email: kaoshi@chinesetesting.cn
