The Format & Content of the BCCE Examination
The Hellenic American University Basic Communication Certificate in English (BCCE™) examination comprises four sections: a Listening Section with 25 items, a Reading and Use of Language (RUL) Section with 45 items testing grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension, a Writing Section with a choice of one out of two tasks, and a Speaking Section with three tasks.
The examination begins with the Listening and RUL Sections. Candidates then have a short break before the Writing Section. The Speaking Section is administered separately.
All Parts of the Listening Section are heard twice. Candidates have one minute before each Part begins in order to read the questions and answer choices.
Candidates may mark their answers for the Listening Section on their test booklet, and five minutes is allowed at the end of the Section for candidates to transfer their answers to their separate answer sheet.
| Section | Time | Short Description | Number of items |
| Listening |
35 minutes approx. |
Part 1: Listening for main idea / specific information / opinion. Conversations: Eight short dialogues heard twice with one question per dialogue. Candidates choose the correct answer choice from three short written options. |
8 |
|
Part 2: Listening for specific information. Messages: Five short monologues with one question per monologue. Candidates choose the correct answer choice from three short written options |
5 | ||
|
Part 3: Listening for main idea of each part of interview. Interview: One dialogue between two speakers heard twice with six questions. Candidates choose the correct answer choice from three short written options. |
6 | ||
|
Part 4: Listening for main idea of text and specific information. Presentation/talk: One long monologue heard twice with six questions. Candidates choose the correct answer choice from three short written options. |
6 | ||
| Reading & Use of Language (RUL) |
60 minutes |
Grammar Resources. Fifteen short sentences with a gap. For each sentence, candidates choose the best answer choice from four answer choices. |
15 |
|
Vocabulary Resources. Ten short sentences with a gap. For each sentence, candidates choose the best answer choice from four answer choices. |
10 | ||
|
Reading 1: Skimming & scanning. Four short texts about a topic with eight questions. Candidates choose the best answer choice for each question from four answer choices. |
8 | ||
|
Reading 2: Reading for main idea & identifying meaning of a word or phrase. Four social media posts, comprising a post with a question and three posts with answers. Candidates choose the best answer to six questions, each with four answer choices. |
6 | ||
|
Reading 3: Reading for detail, identifying connectors & references. One long text with four paragraphs. Candidates choose the best answer to six questions, each with four answer choices. |
6 | ||
| Writing | 30 minutes | Candidates choose one from a choice of two possible tasks. Candidates choose either to provide a description or to write an email giving advice and should write about 100-120 words. Prompts to help the candidates are given. | 1 task |
| Speaking | 8 minutes approx. |
Task 1: Warm Up Candidates answer non-sensitive personal questions. |
3 tasks |
|
Task 2: Information gap activity Candidates are expected to understand and provide information to the examiner in a role-play activity. |
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Task 3: Topic questions Candidates answer general questions about the topic. |