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Information for Candidates

BULATS inf or mat ion f or candidat es 1

Contents W h a t is BULATS?

W h a t leve l is BULATS?

W h o is BULATS su itable for?

W h y ta k e a Ca m brid ge ESOL e x a m ?

Deve lop e ffect ive com m u n ica t ion skills

Worldw id e recogn it ion

Qu a lity you ca n t ru s t

BULATS edu ca t ion a l m iss ion

How to u s e th is book le t

Glossa ry of BULATS ta sk typ es

Th e BULATS Sta n d a rd te s t

W h a t d oes th e BULATS Sta n d a rd tes t in volve?

Lis ten in g

Rea d in g a n d La n gu age Kn ow led ge

Th e BULATS Com p u te r-ba s e d te s t

W h a t d oes th e BULATS Com p u te r-based tes t in volve?

Rea d in g a n d La n gu age Kn ow led ge

Lis ten in g

Th e BULATS W rit in g te s t

W h a t d oes th e BULATS W rit in g tes t in volve?

W rit in g

Th e BULATS On lin e W ritin g te s t

W h a t d oes th e On lin e W rit in g tes t in volve?

Th e BULATS Sp e a k in g te s t

W h a t d oes th e BULATS Sp ea kin g tes t in volve?

Sp ea kin g

Th e BULATS On lin e Sp e a k in g te s t

W h a t d oes th e On lin e Sp ea kin g tes t in volve?

Pre p a r in g fo r BULATS

Ne x t s te p s

Com p a n ie s w h o u s e BULATS

Note s

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Th e Bu s in ess La n gu age Tes t in g Service (BULATS) is d es ign ed to eva lu a te th e leve l of

la n gu age skills of ca n d id a te s w h o n eed to u se a fore ign la n gu age (En glish , Fren ch , Germ a n

or Sp a n ish ) in th e ir w ork.

It is a lso su itable for s tu d en ts a n d em p loyees on la n gu age cou rses or on p rofess ion a l/

bu s in ess cou rses w h ere fore ign la n gu age ability is a n im p orta n t pa rt of th e cou rse.

BULATS is d es ign ed a n d d e livered by Ca m brid ge ESOL in collabora t ion w ith lea d in g exp ert s

in th e a ssessm en t of Fren ch , Germ a n a n d Sp a n ish :

�� Allia n ce Fra n ça ise (Fren ch )

�� Goeth e-In s t itu t (Germ a n )

�� Un ivers ida d d e Sa la m a n ca (Sp a n ish ).

��W h a t leve l is BULATS?

BULATS p rovid es t es t s a t a ll leve ls for lea rn ers . Th e re is n o ‘p a ss ’ m a rk. In s tea d , you r

BULATS score w ill t e ll you a n d you r em p loyer, w h ich of s ix leve ls you h ave rea ch ed . Th e

table be low exp la in s th e d iffe ren t leve ls . Th ey a re exp ressed a s ALTE (Associa t ion of

La n gu age Tes te rs in Eu rop e) leve ls , w h ich a re lin ked to th e Cou n cil of Eu rop e ’s Com m on

Eu rop ea n Fra m ew ork of Refe ren ce for La n gu ages (CEFR).

��W h o is BULATS s u ita b le for?

BULATS is ca re fu lly d es ign ed to be su itable for a w id e ra n ge of p eop le a t w ork or s tu d en ts

s tu dyin g bu s in ess cou rses . It d oes n ot req u ire a n y p reviou s bu s in ess exp erien ce.

What is BULATS?

ALTE leve ls

Cou n cil of Eu rop e

(CEFR) leve ls

BULATS

s core s Leve l d e s cr ip tion

Ca m brid ge ESOL

ce rtifica te d e x a m in a tion s

a t th e s e leve ls

Leve l 5 C2 90–100 Up per a dva n ced CPE

Level 4 C1 75–89 Adva n ced CAE/BEC High er

Leve l 3 B2 60–74 Up per-in te rm ed ia te FCE/BEC Va n tage

Level 2 B1 40–59 In te rm ed ia te PET/BEC Pre lim in a ry

Leve l 1 A2 20–39 Elem en ta ry KET

Level 0 A1 10–19 Begin n er —


Un ivers ity of Ca m brid ge ESOL Exa m in a t ion s (Ca m brid ge ESOL) offe rs th e w orld ’s lea d in g

ra n ge of q u a lifica t ion s for lea rn e rs a n d tea ch ers of En glish . It s exa m s a re t a ken by m ore

th a n 3 m illion p eop le in 130 cou n t r ies ea ch yea r.

��Deve lop e ffe ctive com m u n ica tion s k ills

T h e Ca m brid ge ESOL exa m in a t ion s cove r a ll fou r la n gu a ge skills – lis t en in g, sp ea kin g,

rea d in g a n d w rit in g. Th ey in clu d e a ra n ge of t a sks w h ich a ssess you r ability to u se En glish ,

so th a t you d eve lop th e fu ll ra n ge of skills you n eed to com m u n ica te e ffect ive ly in a va rie ty

of con text s .

��Worldw id e re cogn it ion

Un ivers it ie s a n d em p loyers a ll over th e w orld recogn ise Ca m brid ge ESOL exa m s , so a

Ca m brid ge ESOL exa m in a t ion is a va lu able q u a lifica t ion .

��Qu a lity you ca n tru s t

We d o exten s ive resea rch a n d t r ia llin g to m a ke su re th a t you ge t th e fa ires t , m os t a ccu ra te

a ssessm en t of you r ability a n d th a t ou r exa m s a re m ost re leva n t to th e ra n ge of u ses for

w h ich you n eed En glish .

��BULATS e d u ca tion a l m is s ion

BULATS form s a n in tegra l p a rt of Ca m brid ge ESOL’s ed u ca t ion a l m iss ion , su p p ort in g

e ffect ive la n gu age lea rn in g for a n d in bu s in ess con text s a s a key tool for econ om ic, socia l

a n d p erson a l d eve lop m en t .

To su p p ort th is e th os , Ca m brid ge ESOL p rovid es exten s ive su p p ort to h e lp lea rn ers

to p rep a re for th e BULATS tes t s , a n d p a rt icip a tes in n u m erou s in te rn a t ion a l p roject s

w h ere BULATS is u sed a s a tool for ben ch m a rkin g a n d m on itorin g la n gu age skills in

th e com m ercia l, ed u ca t ion a l a n d p u blic sectors . Th is p rovid es a ba s is for p rogra m m es

d es ign ed to ra ise s ta n d a rd s of la n gu age a n d com m u n ica t ion skills .

Th rou gh it s lin k to th e Common European Framework of Reference for Language: lea rning,

teaching and assessment, BULATS a lso p rovid es su p p ort for th e Cou n cil of Eu rop e’s w ork in

im p lem en t in g con s is ten t leve ls for la n gu age lea rn in g.

For m ore in form a t ion p lea se vis it : w w w .BULATS.org

Why take a Cambridge ESOL exam?


Th e BULATS Information for Candida tes bookle t h e lp s you r exa m in a t ion p rep a ra t ion by

givin g you exam p les of th e typ e of q u est ion s you w ill en cou n te r w h en you ta ke th e

BULATS tes t . Th ere is a lso a n overview of th e t es t sect ion s coverin g Lis ten in g, Rea d in g a n d

La n gu age Kn ow led ge, Sp ea kin g a n d W rit in g.

BULATS tes t s a re offe red in both p a p er-ba sed (Sta n d a rd tes t ) a n d com p u ter-ba sed (On lin e

or CD-ROM) form a ts . Th e re a re sep a ra te sect ion s for both th ese form a ts d e ta ilin g exa m p les

of th e Lis ten in g te s t a n d th e Rea d in g a n d La n gu age Kn ow led ge tes t .

Th e W rit in g an d Sp ea kin g tes t s a re d e live red a s On lin e a n d Pa p er-ba sed vers ion s .

In form a t ion on th ese t es t s ca n be fou n d in th e ir ow n sect ion s on p ages 20 a n d 22.

��Glos s a ry of BULATS ta s k typ e s

Mu ltip le ch o ice – You rea d a t ext or lis t en to a record in g a n d th en a n sw er q u es t ion s . Ea ch

q u es t ion h a s th ree or fou r op t ion s , on ly on e of w h ich is correct .

Cloze – You a re given a t ext w ith ga p s , w h ere w ord s or p h ra ses a re m iss in g. Th ere a re tw o

typ es of ‘cloze’; m u lt ip le -ch oice cloze, w h ere you ch oose from th e fou r op t ion s given a n d

op en cloze, w h ere you h ave to th in k of th e righ t w ord for th e ga p .

Ga p p e d s e n te n ce s – You a re given in d ivid u a l sen ten ces ea ch w ith on e w ord m iss in g. You

ch oose th e correct w ord to fill th e ga p from th e fou r op t ion s given .

How to use this booklet


What does the BULATS Standard test involve? Th is sect ion is a brie f in t rod u ct ion to th e BULATS Sta n d a rd t es t . We sh ow exa m p les from

ea ch p a rt of th e exa m , bu t in som e ca ses w e d o n ot sh ow th e fu ll t ext or a ll th e q u es t ion s .

If you w ou ld like to see a fu ll sa m p le p ap er for BULATS you ca n dow n loa d on e, toge th er

w ith m p 3 file s of th e lis t en in g m a te ria l, from ou r w ebsite a t : w w w .bu la ts .o rg

Th e BULATS Sta n d a rd te s t la s t s 110 m in u te s : 50 m in u te s for Lis ten in g a n d 60 m in u tes for

Rea d in g a n d La n gu age Kn ow led ge. It t es t s lis t en in g a n d rea d in g skills , a n d kn ow led ge of

gra m m a r a n d vocabu la ry.

Th e Rea d in g a n d La n gu age Kn ow led ge p a p er is d ivid ed in to tw o pa rt s . Pa rt 1 con ta in s fou r

sect ion s . Pa rt 2 con s is t s of s ix sect ion s a n d th e t a sks a re a t a h igh e r leve l th a n in Pa rt 1.

Lis ten in g

Rea d in g a n d La n gu age Kn ow ledge

Part 1

Part 2

The BULATS Standard test

Con te n t Typ e o f ta s k

Nu m be r o f

q u e s t ion s

Pa rt 1 Un d ers ta n d in g sh ort con versa t ion s or m on ologu es . 10

Pa rt 2 Ta kin g d ow n ph on e m essages ord ers , n otes , e tc. 12

Pa rt 3Lis ten in g for gis t , id en t ifyin g top ic, con text or fu n ct ion . Sh ort m on ologu es /

d ia logu es .10

Pa rt 4 Lis ten in g to exten d speech for de ta il a n d in fe ren ce. Mon ologu e /d ia logu e. 18

Con te n t Typ e o f ta s k

Nu m be r o f

q u e s t ion s

Sect ion 1Un d ers ta n d in g n ot ices , m essages , t im etables , a dverts , leaflet s , gra p h s , e tc.

Mu lt ip le -ch oice ta sk.7

Sect ion 2 Gra m m a r a n d vocabu la ry. Ga p ped sen ten ces w ith m u lt ip le -ch oice t a sk. 6

Sect ion 3New sp a p er or m aga zin e a rt icle, a dvert , leafle t , e tc. Lon g text w ith m u lt ip le -

ch oice t a sk.6

Sect ion 4 Gra m m a r. Med iu m -len gth text , op en cloze. 5

Con te n t Typ e of ta s k

Nu m be r of

q u e s tion s

Sect ion 1 Rea d in g for sp ecific in form a t ion . Fou r sh ort texts w ith m a tch in g text . 7

Sect ion 2 Gra m m a r a n d vocabu la ry. Med iu m -len gth text w ith m u lt ip le-ch oice cloze. 5

Sect ion 3 Gra m m a r. Med iu m -len gth t ext , open -cloze. 5

Sect ion 4 Gra m m a r a n d vocabu la ry. Ga p ped sen ten ce w ith m u lt ip le -ch oice t a sk. 6

Sect ion 5Rea d in g for gis t a n d specific in form a t ion . New sp a p er or m aga zin e a rt icle,

rep ort , e tc. Lon g text w ith m u lt ip le -ch oice ta sk.6

Sect ion 6 Error correct ion t a sk. Med iu m -len gth text . 7


Lis te n in g

Part 1: Understanding short extracts (10 questions)

You lis t en to 10 sh ort record in gs (ea ch abou t 20 secon d s lon g) a n d t ry to u n d ers ta n d w h a t

th e p eop le a re ta lkin g abou t , or w h o is ta lkin g or w h a t th ey a re t ryin g to say in ea ch on e.

You h ave to ch oose th e correct a n sw er from th ree op t ion s (A, B or C). For th e firs t five

q u es t ion s th e th ree op t ion s a re p ictu res . You w ill h ea r th e record in gs tw ice.

In th e exa m ple be low, you h ave to lis t en a n d d ecid e w h ich gra p h th e sp ea ker is t a lkin g

abou t .

Part 2: Taking down messages, notes, etc. (12 questions)

In Pa rt 2 you lis t en to th ree record in gs . For ea ch on e, you h ave a form , a n ote or n ote s to

com p le te , u s in g th e in form a t ion you h ea r. You n eed to lis t en ca refu lly, a s you w ill h ea r

ea ch record in g on ly on ce.

In th e exa m ple be low, you h ea r a m a n te lep h on in g to p la ce a n order. You h ave to lis t en for

th e n a m e of th e cu s tom er, h is a ccou n t n u m ber, th e a d d ress for th e d e livery a n d th e t it le of

th e book. In th e rea l t es t , th e re w ill be tw o m ore t a sks like th is on e.


Part 3: Understanding short extracts (10 questions)

Pa rt 3 con s is ts of tw o record in gs a n d th e re a re five q u es t ion s in ea ch on e. Ea ch q u es t ion is

abou t 20 secon d s lon g. Th e w h ole record in g is 2 m in u te s lon g. You h ave to lis t en a n d t ry to

u n d ers ta n d w h a t th e p eop le a re t a lkin g abou t , or w h o is t a lkin g or w h a t th ey a re t ryin g to

say in ea ch on e.

In th e exa m ple be low, you h ea r five p eop le t a lkin g abou t a recen t s itu a t ion th ey w ere

in volved in a t w ork. Th ere a re n in e d ifferen t op t ion s to ch oose from (A-I). You h ave to

lis t en to ea ch p erson ta lkin g a n d d ecid e w h ich s itu a t ion th ey w ere in volved in . You n eed to

lis t en ca re fu lly a s you w ill h ea r th e five p ieces on ce on ly. In th e rea l t e s t , th e re is a secon d

ta sk like th is on e.

Part 4: Understanding a longer recording (18 questions)

Pa rt 4 con s is ts of th ree sect ion s . In ea ch on e, you lis t en to a lon ger con versa t ion or

p resen ta t ion a n d you h ave to a n sw er d eta iled q u es t ion s abou t w h a t th e p eop le a re sayin g.

Th e re a re s ix q u es t ion s for ea ch record in g, a n d for ea ch q u es t ion you ch oose from th ree

op t ion s (A, B or C). You h ea r th e record in gs for Pa rt 4 tw ice.

In th e exa m ple be low, a w eb d es ign er ca lled Pa u l Doh erty is givin g a dvice abou t crea t in g

a w ebs ite to a grou p of p eop le w h o ow n a sm a ll bu s in ess . Here a re th e firs t th ree q u es t ion s

for th is record in g. Rem em ber th a t th e re w ill be th ree m ore q u es t ion s to a n sw er for th is

sect ion a n d tw o m ore record in gs to lis t en to, ea ch w ith s ix q u es t ion s w h ich you h ave

to a n sw er.


Re a d in g a n d La n gu a ge Kn ow le d ge

Pa rt 1

Section 1: Understanding notices and short extracts (7 questions)

You rea d som e com m on n ot ices or ext ra ct s from le t t e rs , form s , a dvert s , leafle t s , e tc. You

a n sw er on e qu es t ion abou t ea ch on e.

In th e exa m ple be low, you h ave to m a tch th e correct exp la n a t ion (A, B or C) to th e

sen ten ce.

Section 2: Sentences with a gap (6 questions)

You h ave to com p le te ea ch sen ten ce u s in g on ly on e of th e fou r ch oices (A, B, C or D).

In th e exa m ples be low, you h ave to ch oose th e w ord w h ich bes t com p le tes ea ch sen ten ce.


Section 3: Longer text with multiple-choice questions (6 questions)

In th is p a rt of th e t es t , you h ave to rea d a lon ger t ext a n d a n sw er s ix m u lt ip le -ch oice

q u es t ion s . Th e q u es t ion s t es t you r gen era l u n d ers ta n d in g of th e text a n d you r ability to

fin d sp ecific in form a t ion .

Th e exa m p le be low is abou t ‘Fin a n cin g Bu sin ess Sta rt -u p s ’. Rea d th e t ext a n d see if you

ca n a n sw er th e tw o q u es t ion s . In th e rea l t es t th e t ext w ill be lon ge r a n d you w ill h ave fou r

m ore q u es t ion s to a n sw er.

Section 4: Filling gaps in a text (5 questions)

In th is sect ion , you h ave to rea d a text in w h ich th e re a re som e m iss in g w ord s (ga p s). For

ea ch ga p, you h ave to w rite th e correct w ord to com p le te th e sen ten ce. You m u s t w rite

on ly on e w ord in ea ch sp a ce. Th is sect ion tes t s you r gra m m a t ica l kn ow led ge of En glish .

You h ave to decid e w h a t p a rt of sp eech is n eed ed a n d in w h ich form to com p le te th e t ext .

In th e exa m ple be low, th e t ext is abou t a com p a n y w h ich ca n p rovid e m obile a n d

broa d ba n d services to com p a n ies .


Pa rt 2

Section 1: Finding information in short texts (7 questions)

You rea d fou r sh ort t ext s , su ch a s a dve rt s , p rod u ct d escrip t ion s , e tc. Th en you m a tch

d iffe ren t sen ten ces w ith ea ch of th ose text s . Th ere a re seven sen ten ces a n d fou r text s (A,

B, C or D), so you m ay h ave to u se ea ch text m ore th a n on ce.

In th e exa m ple be low, you h ave to rea d th e sen ten ces a n d m a tch ea ch on e to on e of th e

t ext s . In th e rea l exa m , th ere w ill be tw o m ore t ext s a n d fou r m ore sen ten ces .



Th is sect ion te s t s you r kn ow led ge of gra m m a r a n d vocabu la ry. You h ave to rea d a t ext w ith

five w ord s m iss in g. Th ere is a ch oice of fou r w ord s (A, B, C or D) for ea ch ga p a n d you h ave

to ch oose th e bes t on e.

Th e exa m p le be low is p a rt of a n ext ra ct givin g d e ta ils abou t a m arke t in g cou rse a n d th ree

of th e five q u es t ion s . Ch oose th e bes t word to fill ea ch sp a ce from th e fou r ch oices given

for ea ch ga p .


Sect ion s 3 a n d 4 a re s im ila r t a sk typ es to Pa rt 1, Sect ion s 2 a n d 4 bu t a t a h igh er leve l.

You h ave to rea d a t ext in w h ich five w ord s a re m iss in g a n d th in k of a w ord to fi ll e a ch ga p .

Th e exa m p le be low sh ow s you a t ext abou t th e fu tu re n eed s of com p a n ies . Rea d th e t ext

a n d t ry to th in k of th e r igh t w ord to fill ea ch of th e ga p s .


Section 4: Sentences with a gap (6 questions)

In th is sect ion , you h ave to ch oose th e righ t w ord or p h ra se to fill a ga p in a sen ten ce.

Th e re a re fou r ch oices (A, B, C or D) for ea ch q u es t ion .

Have a look a t th e tw o q u es t ion s be low a n d see if you ca n d ecid e w h ich w ord you n eed to

com p le te ea ch sen ten ce. In th e rea l exam , th ere w ill be fou r m ore q u es t ion s like th ese for

you to a n sw er.

Section 5: Understanding a longer text (6 questions)

You rea d a lon ger t ext , su ch a s p a rt of a bu s in ess rep ort , a n ew sp ap er a r t icle , e tc. Th en you

a n sw er som e d e ta iled q u es t ion s on it . You h ave to ch oose from fou r op t ion s (A, B, C or D)

for ea ch q u es t ion .

Th e exa m p le be low sh ow s you p a rt of a n a rt icle abou t m ergers a n d tw o of th e s ix

q u es t ion s . Rem em ber th a t th e re w ill be fou r m ore q u es t ion s like th ese in th e rea l exa m .


Section 6: Correcting errors in a text (7 questions)

In th is sect ion , you h ave to rea d a text w h ich is a t lea s t seven lin es lon g. Som e lin es h ave

e rrors in th em . If th e lin e is correct , you p u t a t ick (�) on you r a n sw er sh ee t . If th e re is a

w ron g w ord in th e lin e, you w rite th e correct w ord on you r a n sw er sh ee t .

Th e exa m p le be low sh ow s you th e firs t p a rt of a job a dvert isem en t w h ich you h ave to

ch eck for a colleagu e. See if you ca n fin d a n y e rrors in lin es 104–106. Rem em ber th a t th e re

w ill be fou r m ore lin es to ch eck in th e rea l exa m .


What does the BULATS Computer-based test involve? Th is sect ion is a brie f in t rod u ct ion to th e BULATS Com p u ter-ba sed tes t (ava ilable On lin e

a n d on CD–ROM).

Th e tes t th a t th e ca n d id a te sees is th e sa m e for both On lin e a n d CD–ROM bu t d e livered in

d iffe ren t w ays . We sh ow exa m p les from ea ch of th e exercise typ es in th e t e s t , bu t in som e

ca ses w e d o n ot sh ow th e fu ll t ext or a ll th e q u es t ion s . If you w ou ld like to t ry th e fu ll

d em o for BULATS Com p u te r-ba sed , p lease vis it th e BULATS w ebsite a t : w w w .bu la ts .o rg

Th ere is a sh ort d em o a t th e begin n in g of th e t es t to exp la in w h a t you sh ou ld d o. If you

s ta r t a n ew typ e of exercise a n d you d on ’t u n d e rs ta n d w h a t you h ave to d o on a p a rt icu la r

screen , click on th e q u es t ion m a rk bu t ton a t th e top of th e screen to ge t h e lp .

Qu es t ion s a p pea r on a screen a n d you a n sw er th em by clickin g on a p a rt icu la r a n sw er or

by typ in g in w ord s or p h ra ses . Th ere a re e igh t d iffe ren t typ es of qu es t ion a n d th ey a ssess

lis t en in g, rea d in g a n d gra m m a r/vocabu la ry skills .

Th e BULATS Com p u ter-ba sed tes t is a n a d a p t ive t es t : d ep en d in g on you r a n sw er to ea ch

q u es t ion , th e softw a re d ecid es w h e th e r to offe r you a m ore d ifficu lt q u es t ion of th e sa m e

typ e or to give you a d iffe ren t typ e of q u es t ion . It d oes th is u n t il it h a s en ou gh d a ta to

d ecid e w h ich leve l you h ave rea ch ed . Alte rn a t ive ly, you r em p loyer w ill se t a t im e lim it

a n d you w ork th rou gh th e d iffe ren t q u es t ion s u n t il th e t im e is u p. As th e te s t is a d a p t ive

th e len gth of th e t es t w ill d ep en d on th e ca n d id a te ’s leve l of ability bu t it is u su a lly

a p p roxim a te ly 60 m in u tes lon g.

The BULATS Computer-based test

Re a d in g a n d La n gu a ge Kn ow le d ge Lis te n in g

Rea d a n d se lect

Ga p ped sen ten ces

Mu lt ip le -ch oice ga p -fill

Open ga p -fill

Exten d ed rea d in g

Lis ten a n d se lect

Lis ten a n d se lect (Grap h ic)

Exten d ed lis t en in g


Re a d in g a n d La n gu a ge Kn ow le d ge

Read and select

In th is typ e of q u es t ion , you h ave to rea d a n ot ice, d iagra m , labe l, m em o or le t t e r

con ta in in g a sh ort t ext . You th en ch oose from th ree p oss ible a n sw ers , th e sen ten ce or

p h ra se w h ich m os t close ly m a tch es th e m ea n in g of th e t ext .

In th e exa m ple be low, th e t ext is p a rt of a le t t e r from a fu rn itu re com p a n y to a cu s tom er.

Rea d th e le t t er a n d d ecid e w h ich of th e th ree sen ten ces h a s th e sa m e m ea n in g.

Gapped sentences

You h ave to rea d a sen ten ce in w h ich th ere is a ga p (m iss in g w ord ) a n d ch oose th e correct

w ord from a ch oice of fou r to fill it .


Multiple-choice gap-fill

You h ave to rea d a t ext in w h ich th e re a re som e ga p s . Th ere a re fou r ch oices for ea ch ga p

a n d you h ave to ch oose th e r igh t on e.

In th e exa m ple be low, Jim Bla ken ey is w rit in g to a cu s tom er (Mr Ma d d ox) to a p ologise

abou t th e d ifficu lt ie s Mr Ma d d ox h a s been h avin g in con ta ct in g h im .

Open gap-fill

You h ave to rea d a sh ort t ext in w h ich th e re a re som e ga p s a n d fill in th e m iss in g w ord for

ea ch ga p.

In th e exa m ple be low, you h ave to rea d a sh ort t ext abou t Eu roch eq u es a n d fin d th e correct

m iss in g w ord for ea ch ga p .


Extended reading

In th is p a rt of th e t es t , you h ave to rea d a lon ger t ext a n d a n sw er a se ries of m u lt ip le -

ch oice q u es t ion s ba sed on it . Th e q u es t ion s a re in th e sa m e ord er a s th e in form a t ion in

th e t ext .

Th e text be low is abou t th e w ork of a t ra n s la tor. Rea d th is p a rt of th e t ext a n d t ry to

d ecid e w h ich of th e fou r op t ion s for com p le t in g th e sen ten ce (‘Th e sou rce la n gu age sh ou ld

be …’) is th e correct on e. Th ere a re th ree m ore q u es t ion s for th is text a n d you scroll d ow n

th e screen to rea d th e re s t of th e t ext .


Lis te n in g

Listen and select

You h ave to lis t en to a sh ort record in g an d a n sw er a m u lt ip le -ch oice q u es t ion . You ch oose

th e correct a n sw er from th ree op t ion s .

In th is exa m ple, you a re w a it in g to see Mrs Brow n in g abou t a job. Un fortu n a te ly Mrs

Brow n in g ca n ’t see you n ow a n d h er a ss is ta n t com es to exp la in w h y. In th e t es t you lis t en

to th e record in g of Mrs Brow n in g’s a ss is ta n t t a lkin g to you a n d d ecid e w h ich , of th e th ree

op t ion s is th e correct rea son w h y Mrs Brow n in g ca n ’t see you n ow.

Listen and select (Graphic)

In th is typ e of lis t en in g ta sk you ch oose th e correct a n sw er from a ch oice of th ree p ictu re s

or im ages .

In th e exa m ple be low, th e record in g is abou t a m a n w h o is ch oos in g a w a tch . In th e t es t

you lis t en to th e record in g a n d d ecid e w h ich w a tch h e ch ooses to bu y.


Extended listening

For th is p a rt of th e t es t , you h ave to lis ten to a lon ger record in g a n d a n sw er a se ries

of m u lt ip le -ch oice q u es t ion s ba sed on it . Th e q u es t ion s a re in th e sa m e ord er a s th e

in form a t ion you h ea r in th e record in g.


What does the BULATS Writing test involve?You m ay d ecid e to a ssess you r w rit in g u s in g th e BULATS W rit in g tes t . Th e table be low

sh ow s you w h a t th e W rit in g tes t in volves :

Th e W rit in g tes t la s t s for 45 m in u tes . It is su gges ted th a t you sp en d 15 m in u tes on Pa rt 1

a n d 30 m in u tes on Pa rt 2.

Part 1

In Pa rt 1 of th e t es t you h ave to w rite a sh ort m essage, fa x, le t t e r or em a il u s in g th e

in form a t ion given . It is im p orta n t to cover a ll th e p oin t s given in th e in s t ru ct ion s . You

sh ou ld w rite 50–60 w ord s for you r a n sw er.

In th e Pa rt 1 exa m p le be low, you h ave rece ived a le t t e r from a loca l bu s in ess college. In th e

t es t you h ave to w rite a rep ly to Sa m Willia m s.

The BULATS Writing test

Con te n t W ritin g Tim e

Pa rt 1 Sh ort m essage/fa x/le t t e r/em a il (50–60 w ord s) 15 m in u tes

Pa rt 2 Rep ort or le t t e r (180–200 words) 30 m in u tes


Part 2

A le t t e r or a rep ort form a t m ay be req u ired for e ith er t a sk. Aga in , you n eed to cover a ll th e

p oin t s given in th e in s t ru ct ion s , bu t th is t im e th e a n sw er sh ou ld be lon ger (180–200 w ord s)

a n d n eed s to be w rit t en in a n a p p rop ria te s tyle .

Have a look a t th e tw o ta sks be low a n d th in k abou t th e a n sw ers you cou ld w rite .

The BULATS Online Writing test

What does the BULATS Online Writing test involve?BULATS On lin e W rit in g is a com p u te r-ba sed tes t . W rit in g ta sks a re p resen ted to you on th e

com p u te r screen . You typ e you r a n sw ers on -screen a n d th e com pu te r saves you r a n sw ers .

Th e re is a tu toria l w h ich you ca n w a tch before you ta ke th e On lin e W rit in g te s t . Th e

tu toria l gives you in s t ru ct ion s of h ow to d o th e t es t .

Th e con ten t of th e On lin e W rit in g tes t is s im ila r to th e p a p er-ba sed W rit in g te s t .

Con te n t On lin e W ritin g Tim e

Pa rt 1 Sh ort m essage /fa x/le t t e r/em a il (50–60 w ord s) 15 m in u tes

Pa rt 2 Rep ort or le t t er (180–200 words) 30 m in u tes

Th e On lin e Writ in g tes t la s t s for 45 m in u tes . It is su gges ted th a t you sp en d 15 m in u te s on

Pa rt 1 a n d 30 m in u tes on Pa rt 2.

Th e On lin e W ritin g te s t is a va ila b le in En glis h on ly.


What does the BULATS Speaking test involve? You m ay a lso d ecid e to a ssess you r sp ea kin g u s in g th e BULATS Spea kin g tes t . Th e table

be low sh ow s you w h a t th e Sp ea kin g tes t in volves :

Pa rt 1

For Pa rt 1, you n eed to be able to t a lk abou t you r ba ckgrou n d , ed u ca t ion , job, s tu d ie s , ca reer

p la n s a n d p erson a l in te res t s .

Pa rt 2

In Pa rt 2, you h ave to give a sh ort p resen ta t ion abou t a w ork-re la ted top ic. You h ave to

ch oose on e of th ree top ics w h ich th e exa m in er w ill give you a n d ta lk for 1 m in u te. You

h ave 1 m in u te to rea d th e th ree top ics , ch oose on e a n d m a ke som e n otes abou t w h a t you

w a n t to say. Th e exa m in er w ill a sk you a q u es t ion a fte r you h ave fin ish ed sp ea kin g.

Below a re som e exa m p les of th e kin d of top ics you m igh t ge t in Pa rt 2.

The BULATS Speaking test

Con te n t Sp e a k in g Tim e

Pa rt 1 In te rview abou t 4 m in u tes

Pa rt 2 Presen ta t ion abou t 4 m in u tes

Pa rt 3 In form a t ion Exch a n ge a n d Discu ss ion abou t 4 m in u tes


Part 3

In Pa rt 3, you h ave to role -p lay a s itu a t ion w ith th e exa m in er a n d th en p a rt icip a te in a

d iscu ss ion on a s im ila r top ic. Th e exa m in er w ill give you som e in s t ru ct ion s abou t th e

t a sk a n d you h ave 1 m in u te to rea d th em . If you d on ’t kn ow so m u ch abou t th e top ic, you

sh ou ld rem em ber th a t th e im p orta n t th in g is to d em on s t ra te you r En glish ability in Pa rt 3.

Look a t th e exa m p le of a Pa rt 3 t a sk be low a n d th in k abou t h ow you w ou ld a sk th e

Con feren ce Orga n ise r for th e in form a t ion you n eed .

The BULATS Online Speaking test

What does the BULATS Online Speaking test involve?You m ay d ecid e to a ssess you r sp ea kin g u s in g th e BULATS On lin e Sp ea kin g tes t . Th e tes t

is com p u te r ba sed a n d a ll q u es t ion s a re p resen ted to you or h ea rd by you th rou gh th e

com p u te r or com p u te r screen . You w ea r a h ea d se t for th e t e s t a n d th e m icrop h on e record s

you r a n sw ers to th e q u es t ion s . Th e re is a t im er on screen w h ich sh ow s h ow lon g you h ave

to give you r an sw ers .

Th e re is a tu toria l w h ich you ca n w a tch before you d o th e On lin e Sp ea kin g te s t . Th e

tu toria l gives you in s t ru ct ion s of h ow to d o th e t es t .

Th e table be low sh ow s you w h a t th e On lin e Sp ea kin g tes t in volves :

Con te n t On lin e Sp e a k in g

Pa rt 1 In te rview

Pa rt 2 Rea d in g Alou d

Pa rt 3 Presen ta t ion

Pa rt 4 Presen ta t ion w ith Gra p h ics

Pa rt 5 Com m u n ica t ion Act ivity

Th e On lin e Sp e a k in g Te s t is a va ila b le in En glis h on ly.

Part 1

In Pa rt 1, you n eed to be able to a n sw er q u es t ion s abou t you r ba ckgrou n d , ed u ca t ion , job,

s tu d ie s , ca reer p la n s a n d p e rson a l in te res t s .


Part 2

In Pa rt 2, you h ave to rea d a lou d e igh t sen ten ces or q u es t ion s w h ich a p p ea r on th e screen .

Be low is a n exa m p le of Pa rt 2.

Qu es t ion 1 Th is is th e la tes t vers ion of th e p la n .

Qu es t ion 2 Th ese a re th e m in u tes of th e la s t com m it tee m ee t in g.

Qu es t ion 3 Sa les h ave r isen fa s ter th a n exp ected over th e la s t q u a rte r.

Qu es t ion 4 I w ill give you a su m m a ry of th e figu res a t th e en d of m y ta lk.

Qu es t ion 5 Mr Bon d a p ologise s for n ot be in g able to a t t en d th e recep t ion .

Qu es t ion 6 Perm iss ion to d eve lop th e la n d m u st be ga in ed in a dva n ce.

Qu es t ion 7 Dr Cla rk w ou ld like you to p h on e h er ba ck before 3 o’clock.

Qu es t ion 8 Th e d es ign sh ou ld follow th e gu id e lin es se t ou t in th e t en d er

sp ecifica t ion s .

Part 3

In Pa rt 3, you h ave to give a sh ort p resen ta t ion abou t a w ork-re la ted top ic w h ich a p p ea rs

on screen . Th ere is n o ch oice of top ic. You h ave 40 secon d s to rea d th e top ic a n d th in k

abou t w h a t you a re goin g to say. You th en h ave on e m in u te to sp ea k abou t th e top ic. Be low

is a n exa m p le of Pa rt 3.

Ta lk abou t you r id ea of th e p erfect office to w ork in . You sh ou ld say:

�� w h ere th is office sh ou ld be

�� w h a t th e office sh ou ld look like

�� w h a t fa cilit ie s th is office sh ou ld h ave.

Part 4

In Pa rt 4, you h ave to t a lk abou t som e visu a l in form a t ion w h ich a p p ea rs on screen . You

h ave on e m in u te to look a t th e visu a l a n d th in k abou t w h a t you a re goin g to say. You th en

h ave on e m in u te to sp ea k abou t th e visu a l. Be low is a n exa m p le of Pa rt 4.


Part 5

In Pa rt 5, you rea d in form a t ion on screen abou t a s itu a t ion . You h ave 40 secon d s to th in k

abou t w h a t is d escribed . You th en h ea r five q u es t ion s abou t th e s itu a t ion on w h ich you

h ave to give you r op in ion .

Below is a n exa m p le of Pa rt 5.


BULATS tes t s rea d in g, lis t en in g, sp ea kin g a n d w rit in g skills th a t a re req u ired for m os t

p u rp oses – n ot on ly in bu s in ess . So exa m p rep a ra t ion is va lu able, even for som eon e n ot

t a kin g th e exa m , a s it w ill h e lp you to im p rove th e En glish you n eed to u se a t w ork.

If you a re follow in g a gen era l En glish cou rse or p rep a rin g on you r ow n to t a ke BULATS,

h ave a look a t th e follow in g lis t of top ics a n d s itu a t ion s w h ich cou ld be covered . Try to rea d

or lis t en to m a te ria l on th ese top ics , a s th is w ill h e lp you to p rep a re m ore e ffect ive ly, so

th a t you ca n fee l con fid en t w h en you ta ke th e te s t .

��W h a t top ics a n d s itu a tion s a re cove re d ?

Person a l in form a t ion

� Askin g for a n d givin g p erson a l d e ta ils (n a m e, occu p a t ion , e tc.)

� Askin g abou t a n d d escribin g jobs a n d resp on s ibilit ie s

� Askin g abou t a n d d escribin g a com p a n y a n d it s orga n isa t ion

Th e office, gen era l bu s in ess en viron m en t a n d rou t in e

� Arra n gin g a p p oin tm en ts /m ee t in gs

� Pla n n in g fu tu re even ts a n d ta sks

� Askin g for a n d givin g p erm iss ion

� Givin g a n d rece ivin g in s t ru ct ion s

� Pred ict in g a n d d escribin g fu tu re p oss ibilit ie s

� Askin g for a n d givin g op in ion s

� Agree in g a n d d isagree in g

� Ma kin g, a ccep t in g a n d re ject in g su gges t ion s

� Exp ress in g n eed s a n d w a n ts

� Discu ss in g p roblem s

� Ma kin g recom m en d a t ion s

� Ju s t ifyin g decis ion s a n d p a s t a ct ion s

En te rta in m en t of clien ts , free t im e, re la t ion sh ip s w ith colleagu es a n d clien ts

� Discu ss in g in te res t s a n d le isu re a ct ivit ies

� In vit in g, a ccep t in g a n d re fu s in g offe rs a n d in vita t ion s

� Th a n kin g an d exp ress in g a p p recia t ion

� Ap ologis in g a n d a ccep t in g a p ologies

Trave l

� Ma kin g en q u ir ie s , rese rva t ion s , req u es t s a n d com p la in t s

Preparing for BULATS


Hea lth

� Hea lth a n d sa fe ty ru les in th e w orkp la ce

� Leisu re a ct ivit ie s , in te res t s a n d sp orts

Bu yin g a n d se llin g

� Un d ers ta n d in g a n d d iscu ss in g p rices a n d d e livery d a tes , offe rs a n d agreem en ts

Prod u cts a n d services

� Askin g for a n d givin g in form a t ion abou t a p rod u ct or se rvice

� Ma kin g com p a rison s , exp ress in g op in ion s , p re fe ren ces , e tc.

� Ma kin g a n d rece ivin g com p la in ts

Resu lt s a n d a ch ievem en ts

� Descrip t ion s a n d exp la n a t ion s of com p a n y p erform a n ce a n d resu lt s , t ren d s , even ts a n d

ch a n ges

Oth er top ic a rea s

� A n u m ber of oth er top ics in a rea s of gen era l in te res t , su ch a s food a n d d rin k, ed u ca t ion

(t ra in in g, cou rses ), con su m er good s , sh op p in g a n d p rices , e tc. m ay be in clu d ed .


We w ish you every su ccess in t a kin g BULATS a n d w e h op e th a t you w ill t a ke oth er

Ca m brid ge ESOL exa m s in fu tu re.

More th a n ever, a good kn ow led ge of En glish is n eed ed to su cceed in in te rn a t ion a l

bu s in ess a n d com m erce. If you ca n sh ow you h ave re leva n t la n gu age skills , you ’ll h ave

a grea t a dva n tage in th e jobs m a rke t a n d m u ch grea te r flexibility if you w a n t to w ork or

s tu dy abroa d .

Recogn it ion of BULATS is in crea s in g ra p id ly a s a grow in g n u m ber of com p a n ies a re u s in g

th e exa m in a t ion a s a focu s for in -com pa n y t ra in in g cou rses .

Abu Dh abi Na t ion a l Oil Com p a n y

(ADNOC)

Ad id a s

Alca te l

BP

Brit ish Am erica n Toba cco

Ca d bu ry

Ch in a Person n e l Tes t in g Au th ority

Cit iba n k

Colga te -Pa lm olive

Com p a q

De loit t e & Tou ch e

DHL

Disn ey

Dow AgroScien ces

EADS/Airbu s

Em ira tes Grou p

Esso

Gen era l Elect ric

Gen era l Motors

Gla xoSm ith Klin e

Gu in n ess

Hein z

HSBC

IBM

Ita lia Lavoro

Joh n son & Joh n son

Kod a k

KPMG

L’Ore�a l

Lloyd s Ba n k

Motorola

Nes t le�

Nokia

Pfizer

Ph ilip s

Pricew a te rh ou seCoop ers

Procte r & Ga m ble

RASCO Ra s La n u f Oil a n d Ga s

Ren a u lt

Reu te rs

Roch e

Sh a n gh a i Profess ion a l Tes t in g Au th ority

Sh e ll

Vod a fon e

Volvo

W rigley

Wyeth

Next steps

You ca n fin d a fu ll lis t of com p a n ies th a t u se th e BULATS exa m in a t ion s for a va rie ty of

p u rp oses in clu d in g recru itm en t a t : w w w .bu la ts .o rg

Companies who use BULATS


Notes

Un ivers ity of Ca m brid ge

ESOL Exa m in a t ion s

1 Hills Roa d

Ca m brid ge

CB1 2EU

Un ited Kin gd om

Tel: +44 1223 553997

Em a il: ESOLh e lp d esk@Ca m brid geESOL.org

w w w.bu la t s .org

© UCLES 2011 EMC | 5473 | 1Y07 NOT FOR RESALE

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