The Basic Communication Certificate in English (BCCE™) is a standardized 4-skill test at the basic level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR B1). It is a secure exam developed by the Hellenic American University and administered by authorized test centers worldwide.

The BCCE™ provides recognized certification that the holder can communicate at B1 level in English, as outlined by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). It is administered internationally and is developed by the Hellenic American University, a non-profit institution of higher education chartered in the state of New Hampshire, USA, in cooperation with external experts and bodies both in Europe and the United States.

The BCCE™ is ideally suited for adolescents and adults who wish to demonstrate that they can successfully manage essential communicative tasks in the English language, but who may not yet be ready for an intermediate-level language examination. Candidates who are successful in the BCCE™ examination obtain a certificate which documents their level of English for educational, occupational, public or personal purposes.

The BCCE™ is officially recognized in Greece by the state (Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection) as a B1 level certification of English language competence. The BCCE™ certificate can also be used as proof of basic language competence for obtaining employment in the private sector and for further studies.

Listening (30 items)

Part 1 (10 items) (multiple choice): A short recorded conversation is followed by a question. The answer choices are shown as pictures. Part 1 is heard once.

Part 2 (9 items) (multiple choice): A short recorded message or announcement is followed by a question that is also printed in the test booklet. Part 2 is heard once.

Part 3 (6 items) (multiple choice): A recorded radio interview is broken into three segments. Two questions follow each segment. The questions are also printed in the test booklet. Part 3 is heard once.

Part 4 (5 items) (multiple choice): A short recorded talk is followed by five questions that are also printed in the test booklet. Part 1 is heard twice.

Listening section duration: 30 min. (approx.)

GVR (Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading) (75 items)

Grammar (25 items) (multiple choice): An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of words or phrases to complete it. Only one choice is grammatically correct.

Vocabulary (25 items) (multiple choice): An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of words or phrases to complete it. Only one choice is semantically correct.

Reading Part 1 (10 items) (multiple choice): Four short related texts presented as advertisements or reviews are accompanied by ten questions.

Reading Part 2 (5 items) (multiple choice): A short argumentative text is accompanied by five questions

Reading Part 3 (5 items) (multiple choice): A short informal email is accompanied by five questions

Reading Part 4 (5 items) (multiple choice): A short text is accompanied by five questions.

GVR section duration: 70 min.

Writing (2 tasks)

Task A: Email 1: Candidates write an informal email using provided information.

Task B: Email 2: Candidates write a competition entry email using provided information.

Writing section duration: 50 min.

Speaking (4 tasks)

Task 1: Warm Up: Candidates answer non-sensitive personal questions.

Task 2: Picture-related questions: Candidates are presented with a picture and are asked to answer picture-related questions.

Task 3: Role Play: Candidates take part in a role-play activity.

Task 4: General Questions: Candidates answer general questions related to the role play.

Speaking section duration: 10-15 min.

https://www.hau.gr/el-gr/exams/language-certifications/hellenic-american-university/bcce

State language certificate level C1-C2

The state language certificate is a certificate administered by the Greek Ministry of Education and it is recognized by ASEP.

The state language certificate exams fully conform to the principles of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages of the European Council.

The exams take place with uniform, graded tests. “Graded” test means that both levels of are examined in a uniform exam giving the candidates the opportunity to be tested in 2 levels at the same time paying only for one level. The state language exam exams take place twice a year. The first exam period is usually the first fortnight of May (A’ exam period) and the second exam period takes place the first fortnight of November (Β’ exam period).

The state language certificate candidates are assessed in the comprehension and production of speaking and writing. They are also assessed in the ability to convey informatio from Greek to the language they want to be certified.

The exam is composed of four sections:

Section 1: Reading comprehension and linguistic awareness

Section 2: Writing and written mediation

Section 3: Listening

Section 4:Speaking and oral mediation

The maximum total score is 200 and the “passing score” is 60. The minimum score is 30% in each section.

In section 1, the candidates answer 70 questionsin 2 hours, of which 50 are multiple choice and 20 filling gaps. In section 2, the candidates write 2 texts in 2 hours (based on instructions or/and a foreign or greek text).In section 3, the candidates answer 30 questions in 30 minutes, of which 20 are multiple choice and 10 filling gaps. In section 4, the candidates are examined in three tasks in 30 minutes, familiriazation questions, development of opposing views, mediation.

https://www.pdv.org.gr/img/KPG_muendlich.pdf

https://rcel2.enl.uoa.gr/kpg/files/KPG_Prodiagrafes.pdf