About BCT (Business Chinese Test) 

The BCT is a quite different examination from the academically-leaning HSK. Focusing on practical application rather than grammatical understanding, the BCT aims to measure a candidate's proficiency in using Chinese to carry out business activities. The examination contains lots of graphs, advertisements and emails. Vocabulary is more important for the BCT than for the HSK.

There are five levels of BCT certification:

Level 1 - Incapable of communication in Chinese in business

Level 2 - Capable of basic communication in Chinese in business environments.

Level 3 - Capable of fairly effective communication in Chinese in business environments

Level 4 - Capable of fairly skillful communication in Chinese in business environments.

Level 5 - Capable of appropriate communication in Chinese in business environments

The exam is split into two sections. The first tests listening and reading skills. The second tests speaking and writing skills. Successful candidates can receive separate certificates for both of these sections of the exam.

Although the BCT is not as well known as the well-established HSK, it is more relevant for individuals who want to work in China. It is a better reference for companies looking to hire employees with practical Chinese language skills. The BCT is not as thorough an examination of an individual's knowledge of the language, but of their practical application of it.