BCCE™

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.

The Listening and GVR sections are scored by computer and the application of specialized software, using the principles of Item Response Theory.

Using scales and procedures established by Hellenic American University, the Writing section is scored by two independent raters. In the case of significant difference between the scores of the two raters, a third rater is called to determine the final score. The raters have been trained and certified according to Hellenic American University standards.

The Speaking section is scored using scales and procedures established by Hellenic American University. The oral examiners have been trained and certified according to Hellenic American University standards. All tests are recorded.

Each of the BCCE sections is marked on a scale of 0 to 1000; each section carries equal weight in determining the final grade.
The passing score for each section is 650 out of 1000. The scores for each section are combined and averaged to give a total possible average scale score of 1000 for all four sections.
Candidates whose average score for all four sections is equal to 650 or higher are awarded the BCCE.
Candidates whose average score for all four sections is below 650 are not awarded the BCCE.
Candidates who have been absent from one or more sections are not awarded the BCCE. Any passing score they may have received for whichever section they were not absent from does not affect the final result.
Hellenic American University allows candidates with disabilities to request for special examination accommodations or modifications.