The BCT, as an international, standardized test of Chinese language proficiency, focuses on assessing non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities to use the Chinese language in real business or common working environments.
The BCT consists of a writing test and a speaking test, which are independent of each other. The writing test is divided into two levels, namely, the BCT (A), and the BCT (B). The different levels of the BCT can meet some of the levels in the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF):
| BCT | Vocabulary | CLPS | CEF |
| BCT（B） | Over 5,000 | Level V | C2 |
| 2,500 | C1 | ||
| 1,200 | Level IV | B2 | |
| BCT（A） | 600 | Level III | B1 |
| 300 | Level II | A2 | |
| 150 | Level I | A1 |
I. Capability Description
Test takers who are able to pass the BCT (A) can understand and use Chinese language to accomplish the tasks of daily communication and basic business communication.
Test takers who are able to pass the BCT (B) can understand and use the Chinese language to complete more complex business communication tasks.
Test takers who took the BCT (Oral), can understand and use the Chinese language to complete kinds of different business communication tasks, and therefore their language competence can be divided into five proficiency levels.
II. Test Principles
Promote learning through examination: encourage Chinese language learners’ interest and confidence, and further broaden the scope of the test in accordance with the actual demands of overseas Business Chinese learners and Chinese speakers in a general working environment.
Promote teaching through examination: provide teachers and self-learners with graded, task-based teaching resources and suggestions related to business Chinese, and help teaching and training institutions systematically and effectively improve business Chinese learners and speakers’ abilities to use the Chinese language in real business or common working environments.
Provide positive feedback for test takers: evaluate test takers’ ability to complete various language tasks by asking them to carry out a series of typical business language tasks and provide positive feedback for Chinese language learners to plan their future studies.
III. Test Purposes
BCT test results provide reference to following purposes:
- Provide a basis for employers to assess non-native Chinese speakers’ (candidates) Chinese competence in daily work. Test scores can be used as a reference for employee recruitment, selection, placement and promotion.
- Help relevant teaching and training institutions to assess students’ business Chinese proficiency in recruitment, class divisions, and granting credits.
- Help learners to improve and evaluate and improve their business Chinese competence.
IV. Results Certificate
Test takers will receive their test results for the BCT issued by Center for Language Education and Cooperation after one month after the test. In the meantime, test takers will be allowed to inquire their scores on the following website www.chinesetest.cn.
