The Business Chinese Test (BCT) is an international standardised test of Chinese language proficiency to assess non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese language in real business or common working environments. Developed by the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban)  – a public institution affiliated with the Ministry of Education, China, it has been the main assessment tool adopted for the Chinese Workplace Literacy (CWPL) Programme/Business Chinese since its inception in 2006. The International BCT has been adopted by 17 countries worldwide, including China, Korea, Japan, the USA, and Argentina. Many of these test-takers are from the retail, services, finance, and education sectors.

The International BCT, as a test series, consists of three independent tests: BCT (A), BCT (B), and the BCT (Oral iBT) tests. Test-takers will be tested in four skills of the language, namely Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The structure of the three tests is shown in the table below.

* Test Duration refers to the estimated amount of time taken to complete the test, including administrative procedures

Trainees undergoing Chinese Workplace Literacy (CWPL) Programme/Business Chinese training will be advised by their training providers on the type of International BCT they should attempt, based on the skills and level of training covered in the training programmes.

Upon completion of the tests, test-takers will be awarded an e-certificate from Hanban, which is recognised internationally. The e-certificate is a score report which records the test-taker’s sub-test scores and total score, without setting any passing score. The e-certificate will also provide competence descriptions for all levels of test-takers, and indicate the date of the International BCT taken by the test-taker. There is no expiry date for the International BCT e-certificate.

The table below outlines the language proficiency descriptors of the International BCT.

Assessment Centre
The Confucius Institute, Nanyang Technological University (CI-NTU) is the appointed assessment centre for the International BCT.

Signing up for the International BCT

• If you have signed up for training with the appointed training providers, you can register for the International BCT through them. You will be notified by your training provider on the confirmation of the International BCT schedule.
• For individuals who are interested to take the International BCT please approach CI-NTU.

• Test-takers who have not undergone or completed the Chinese Workplace Literacy (CWPL) Programme/Business Chinese training prior to taking the International BCT have to observe a three-month lock-out period between tests. This policy would not apply to those who have attended and completed the recommended CWPL/Business Chinese training.
• Test-takers are subjected to the non-subsidised fee if they re-take the International BCT within 3 months of sitting for the previous test without attending any CWPL/Business Chinese training.

• Please note that all registrations and payments made are strictly non-transferable between different organisations and individuals.
• Requests to reschedule test dates are subjected to compliance with CI-NTU’s policy. CI-NTU reserves the right at all times to request for additional information to support the rescheduling of a test date. A penalty will be imposed for non-compliance with CI-NTU’s policy.

• Prior to registration, please ascertain your eligibility as no refunds will be made.  Similarly, there will be no refund for test-takers who are barred from taking the assessments due to violation of the assessment centre’s rules and regulations.
• For refund and cancellation policy, please contact CI-NTU.

• Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) will enjoy 70% subsidies for the assessment fees.

• For modes of payment and payment policy, please contact CI-NTU.

• The International BCT e-certificate (which contains your test results) will be ready within 3 months of successful completion of the International BCT