BCT (Business Chinese Test) Prep Course (B)
This course is designed for students who have a basic understanding of business Chinese and wish to prepare for the BCT (Business Chinese Test) Prep Course (B). Students taking this level of exam are able to understand and use Chinese for daily communication and basic business tasks. They want to continue learning and master advanced business vocabulary to effectively handle complex business communication tasks. Topics covered in this course include introductions of projects and products, route descriptions, announcements in public places such as airports, train or bus stations, shopping malls, and hospitals, news on radio and TV, communicating work issues with colleagues, and basic communication in activities such as business dinners, etc. The teacher will create a customized study plan based on your Chinese foundation, learning goals, and exam format. The plan will strengthen your weaker areas, fill in knowledge gaps, and provide targeted practice to help you pass the exam on your first attempt.
I. Test Content
The Business Chinese Test (BCT) (B) written test consists of 92 questions, divided into three parts: listening, reading, and writing.
|
Test Item |
Number of Questions |
Duration of Test (minutes) |
||
|
Write down personal information (before the listening section starts) |
5 |
|||
|
1. Listening |
Section One |
20 |
50 |
About 35 |
|
Section Two |
15 |
|||
|
Section Three |
15 |
|||
|
2. Reading |
Section One |
20 |
40 |
60 |
|
Section Two |
10 |
|||
|
Section Three |
10 |
|||
|
3. Writing |
2 |
40 |
||
|
Mark your answers on the Answer Sheet (after the listening section) |
5 |
|||
|
Total |
/ |
92 |
About 145 |
|
The total examination time is about 145 minutes (including 5 minutes for candidates to fill in personal information).
1. Listening
Part one consists of 20 questions. Each question is played once. Each question is a dialogue between two people, and a third person asks a question based on the dialogue. There are four options provided for each question on the test paper, and the candidate selects the answer based on what they hear.
Part two consists of 15 questions. Each question is played once. Each question is a dialogue between two people, with a third person asking a question based on the dialogue. There are four options provided for each question on the test paper, and the candidate selects the answer based on what they hear.
Part three consists of 15 questions. Each question is played once. Five paragraphs are played, each followed by several questions. There are four options provided for each question on the test paper, and the candidate selects the answer based on what they hear.
2. Reading
Part One, consisting of 20 questions. The exam provides a series of reading materials, such as pictures, tables, paragraphs, and passages, each with several questions. Candidates are required to choose the correct answer from four options.
Part Two, consisting of 10 questions. The exam provides two texts, each with 5 blanks. Candidates are required to choose five best answers from seven choices to complete each passage according to the context.
Part Three, consisting of 10 questions. The 10 questions are divided into two groups, each with 5 questions. The exam provides 4 passages and several questions or sentences, and candidates are required to determine which passage the question or sentence is related to.
3. Writing
Part One, consisting of 1 question. The exam provides textual or graphical materials, and candidates are required to write an essay of no less than 80 words based on the requirements of the question.
Part Two, consisting of 1 question. The exam provides textual or graphical materials, and candidates are required to write an essay of no less than 150 words based on the requirements of the question.
II. Competence Description and Content Illustration of BCT (B)
The BCT (B) examines the communicative competence of test takers in realistic situations when using Chinese. The competence description and content illustration are listed in the table below:
|
Sub-test |
Competence Description |
Content Illustration |
|
Listening |
Capable of understanding general introductions in working and living environments |
Brief introductions of other people Introductions of companies of business contacts Introductions of projects and products |
|
Capable of understanding basic instructions in working and living environments |
Information about one’s job Training materials relevant with one’s own job Route descriptions Instructions of commonly used equipment and appliances |
|
|
Capable of understanding notices and schedules in working and living environments |
Notices in daily life such as time and place of an appointment Announcements in public places like airport, train or bus station, shopping mall, and hospital Notices like conference program, working arrangement, and schedule |
|
|
Capable of understanding news in test takers’ familiar fields in media |
News on radio, TV, etc. |
|
|
Capable of understanding conversations for specific purposes |
Leaving a message on the phone or replying to the message Communicating work issues with colleagues Communicating equipment problems with servicemen Communicating issues of product quality and after-sales service; Communicating career planning with one’s boss |
|
|
Capable of understanding formal talks or meetings |
Basic communication in activities like business dinners; Conducting a job interview in one’s own professional or business field |
|
|
Capable of understanding discussion or talk about something or someone in working or living environments |
Discussions by other people on common topics or important current affairs; Giving a simple evaluation of goods and companies Major points of the other side in business negotiations Understanding basic attitudes of clients, such as agreement, opposition and complaint |
|
|
Reading |
Capable of reading signs and labels in working or living environments |
Signs of meeting rooms, shop signs, names of companies and organizations Traffic signs, warning signs on packages, information on name cards |
|
Capable of reading complex language materials of certain lengths; capable of grasping their main idea, as well as important facts and details. |
Searching for necessary information in a given table, such as a schedule, program, menu, directory, list, visa application form, application form for leave, etc. Understanding important information in expository and narrative materials, such as notes, emails, mails, notices, faxes, memos, travel guidebook, itinerary, product instructions, workflow instructions, product descriptions, formal letters like complaint letters, resumes, job application letters, contracts, project reports, work reports, business statements, rules & regulations, etc. |
|
|
Capable of reading language materials of certain lengths, grasping the text structure, and choosing the appropriate linking sentences in terms of passage meaning and structure according to the context |
Choosing, according to the context, the most appropriate sentence from several choices to fill in the blank in the incomplete passage |
|
|
Capable of reading a number of relevant materials and finding out the key information |
Searching and matching information of, such as several hotels |
|
|
Writing |
Capable of describing daily life, work, social topics or tables & diagrams in an objective way, and conveying or expressing appropriate information |
Making lists, and writing schedules, notes, notices, faxes, memos and analysis diagrams |
|
Capable of taking notes or explaining on a given topic, and writing relevant files or instructions; capable of showing the circumstances objectively and correctly and expressing one’s own view accurately |
Writing minutes of a meeting, instructions (such as short route instructions, equipment instructions, workflow instructions), business letters (such as complaint letters, letters of thanks, invitation letters), personal resumes, job application letters, reports (such as, survey reports and work reports), contract texts, or argumentation & analysis on a given topic |
III. Score System
The BCT (B) score report provides test takers with scores for each section as well as a total score, without setting a passing score. The score report also provides ability descriptions for test takers in different score ranges.
The BCT (B) written test includes three sections: listening, reading, and writing, with a total score of 300. For the score system, please refer to the table below:
|
Listening |
Reading |
Writing |
Total |
|
|
Number of questions |
50 |
40 |
2 |
92 |
|
Maximum score of sub-test |
100 |
100 |
100 |
300 |