BCT explained: the Business Chinese Test's A and B papers, the separate speaking test, and what its publisher does not state
BCT is the Chinese Proficiency Test (Business), for people who use Chinese as a second language at work. It is not one exam. There are two written papers, BCT (A) and BCT (B), and a separate oral test.
Everything below is from the publisher's own pages on chinesetest.cn, read on 6 November 2026. Those pages do not state a pass mark or a fee, so ask your test centre for both.
The three tests side by side
A and B test the same three skills at different lengths. The Oral is booked as its own test, so a written score says nothing about your speaking.
- BCT (A)70 questions, about 70 minutesListening, reading, writing; 300 points
- BCT (B)92 questions, about 140 minutesListening, reading, writing; 300 points
- BCT (Oral)15 questions, about 25 minutesFive sections, including about 5 minutes of set-up
How BCT (A) is divided
Listening: 30 questions in three sections of 10, about 20 minutes. Reading: 30 questions, 30 minutes. Writing: 10 questions, 10 minutes.
How BCT (B) is divided
Listening: 50 questions, about 35 minutes, plus 5 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. Reading: 40 questions, 60 minutes. Writing: 2 tasks, 40 minutes.
Our reading: the writing paper is where B and A differ most. A asks for 10 short items in 10 minutes, and B asks for 2 tasks in 40. If your job involves writing emails or reports in Chinese, B is closer to that work, but ask whoever wants the certificate which one they accept.
The Oral test
Five sections, 15 questions. The first two have 4 questions each and take 2 minutes each. The next two have 3 questions each and take 5 minutes each. The last is one question over 6 minutes.
Our reading: the time per answer rises sharply. Section 1 allows about 30 seconds a question, and Section 5 gives one question 6 minutes. Those are different skills, so practise both.
Booking and results
Written tests start at 09:00 local time on the listed dates. The site lets you search by paper-based, centre-based internet, and at-home internet tests, so check which your centre offers.
You can download an electronic score report with your admission ticket number and name once results are declared.
The publisher also offers a mock test from each test's page, which shows the format directly.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Saying you have "passed BCT" without naming the test.
Stating which of A, B or Oral you took, and your score.
They are separate tests of very different lengths.
Assuming a written score covers speaking.
Booking the Oral if speaking matters to the employer.
The written papers cover listening, reading and writing only.
Questions
What is the difference between BCT A and BCT B?
A has 70 questions and takes about 70 minutes. B has 92 and takes about 140. Both cover listening, reading and writing and are scored out of 300.
Does BCT include speaking?
Not in the written papers. BCT (Oral) is a separate test of 15 questions and about 25 minutes.
What is the pass mark for BCT?
The publisher's BCT pages we read do not state one. Ask your test centre or the organisation that wants the result.
Can I take BCT at home?
The publisher's search lists at-home internet tests as a type alongside paper and centre tests. Check what is offered for your date and country.
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