Cambridge English Skills Test Business

Make sure your learners have the English skills needed at work

The Cambridge English Skills Test Business is an online, on-demand, modular test of English needed in the workplace for adult learners aged 16+.

It tests all four English skills (Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening) from A1 to C1 on the CEFR, the international scale of English ability. Results are ready in 48 hours.

Developing workplace communication skills

The Cambridge English Skills Test Business supports learners to develop the language communication skills needed to succeed in the workplace.

Higher education institutions

Universities, colleges and private language schools can use the test to place learners onto a business English language course or programme, provide end of course/year testing, for mid-year testing or to check readiness to take IELTS or Linguaskill.

Employers

You may need your employees to be able to understand the sort of English needed in the workplace. Use the Cambridge English Skills Test to establish gaps in their English ability, highlight training needs or place employees on appropriate learning courses

What makes the test right for you?

Make confident decisions

Results are accurate, and reporting clear and in-depth

Suitable for all

The test difficulty adapts to the learner's ability, making it suitable for all levels

Results within 48 hours

AI automarking means fast, reliable results

Simple set-up

Quick, easy set-up saves time and resource

Supporting learners to achieve their best

We provide a range of free familiarisation resources that you can use to prepare learners to take the test.

How the test works

What reporting is available for teachers and academic managers?

Teachers and academic managers will have access to a powerful results dashboard to monitor the performance of groups of candidates, for example, a class or a school. It will allow the comparison of one class with another class, or one class over time, and it can be done by overall CEFR level or by language skill.

What do candidates receive once they have completed the test?

Candidates will receive a Results Report showing the scores they have achieved in each module and overall. The Report features can-do statements, which describe what the learner could be expected to do at their ability level.

How long is the test?

The test is divided into four language skills modules of differing length:

Reading – 30-40 mins* (approx.)

Listening – 30-40 mins* (approx.)

Writing - 45 mins

Speaking - 16 mins

*The Reading and Listening modules are adaptive, which means they end when the algorithm establishes the test-takers level. Maximum test length is 59 mins.

What security is in place to prevent malpractice?

Cambridge will provide standard best practice guidelines for administering the test securely and make periodic checks for systematic malpractice. There will also be integrated AI lite remote invigilation running during the test.

How are the results of the test marked?

Reading and Listening modules are automarked for immediate results. Writing and Speaking are marked by AI and human examiners for results within 48 hours.

What is meant by adaptive testing and how does this work?

Computer adaptive testing is the process by which the test adapts to the performance of the candidate. Future questions become harder or easier depending on whether the candidate answers a question correctly or incorrectly. The test continues until the algorithm is confident that it has determined the candidate’s ability level. Adaptive testing means that one test is suitable for candidates of all levels, making it ideal for mixed-ability groups. It also means that the test is completely personalised for a more motivating test experience, and as each test is unique, malpractice is less likely.

What test administration support is available?

Support is available via our Support Site, where we have interactive articles that cover all administrative functionality and give advice on the use of hardware such as headphones and webcams.

There is also a 24/7 Helpdesk

Are Access Arrangements available for candidates?

Yes. We offer modified materials for access arrangements, including:

Extra time
Braille papers
Enlarged print papers
Brail and written prompts
Hearing impaired versions
Screen reader versions

Ready to get in touch?

Please contact your local Cambridge representative to discuss how the test can help your learners develop better business communication skills.

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