The Business Chinese Test (BCT) is a national standardized exam designed to evaluate the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers in business contexts. Its level classification is primarily based on examinees' language application abilities in business scenarios, divided into three tiers: Basic Level, Intermediate Level, and Advanced Level. Each tier corresponds to different business communication needs and language complexity. Here is the detailed classification:

1. Basic Level (BCT Level 1)

Ability Description:

Can conduct basic communication in simple business scenarios, understand and use common business vocabulary and short sentences, and complete daily transactional tasks.

Applicable Scenarios:

Basic business greetings, self-introductions, simple inquiries, and responses.

Understanding basic business notices, memos, and simple emails.

Engaging in fundamental communication in daily office work (e.g., scheduling meetings, asking about work procedures).

Exam Content:

Listening: Short dialogues in daily business scenarios (e.g., reception, ordering meals, shopping).

Reading: Simple business announcements, form information, product descriptions, etc.

Writing: Filling out forms, writing short messages or notices.

2. Intermediate Level (BCT Level 2)

Ability Description:

Can effectively communicate in general business activities, handle common business matters, understand moderately difficult business materials, and deliver coherent verbal and written expressions.

Applicable Scenarios:

Business negotiations, product introductions, market research communication.

Reading business reports, contract clauses, market analysis materials.

Writing business emails, meeting minutes, product promotion copies, etc.

Exam Content:

Listening: Medium-length audio materials such as business meetings, negotiation dialogues, and industry lectures.

Reading: Business contract summaries, market analysis reports, corporate promotional materials, etc.

Writing: Drafting business letters, complaint letters, letters of intent for cooperation, etc., based on prompts.

 3. Advanced Level (BCT Level 3)

 Ability Description:

Can skillfully use Chinese in complex business environments, accurately understand professional business content, conduct in-depth communication and strategic expression, and adapt to high-level business decision-making and cross-cultural management needs.

Applicable Scenarios:

High-level business negotiations, industry forum speeches, policy interpretation and analysis.

Reading professional financial reports, academic industry research reports.

Writing high-level strategic reports, investment analysis plans, corporate development plans, etc.

Exam Content:

Listening: Long audio materials such as professional business seminars, international forum speeches, and executive interviews.

Reading: In-depth financial news reports, legal documents, annual reports of multinational enterprises, etc.

Writing: Drafting proposals, feasibility studies, business speeches, etc., based on complex business scenarios.

Additional Notes:

1. Scoring Criteria:

The BCT uses a quantitative scoring system, with each level corresponding to different score ranges (e.g., the Basic Level has a full score of 100, and scoring 60 or above is considered passing; the full score for both Intermediate and Advanced Levels is 100, with potentially higher passing thresholds).

2. Exam Features:

Focuses on business scenarios, emphasizing the practical and professional use of language.

Complements the HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test), as HSK focuses on daily and academic Chinese, while BCT focuses on business contexts.

3. Target Audience:

Non-native Chinese speakers engaged in or planning to engage in business activities (e.g., multinational enterprise employees, business professionals, international students).