Performance descriptors outline what criteria the candidate has to meet to pass an examination at a particular level. All the performance descriptors for both English exams and for Business English exams are detailed below.

General English examination levels: Performance discriptors

First step level

The student.....
- has a basic vocabulary recognition of about 100 words
- can read and follow simple instructions
- can understand the language of basic identification

Junior level

The student.....
- has a basic vocabulary recognition of about 200 words.
- knows how to describe present actions.
- can identify and describe basic location and position.
- can follow a short, simple written text.

Primary level

The student.....
- has a basic active vocabulary of about 300 words.
- can tell the time.
- can describe present actions, give personal and family information, describe habits, routines and everyday activities.
- can communicate about when and how often an action or event takes place.
- can form questions and negatives.

Preliminary level

The student.....
- has a basic active vocabulary of about 400 words.
- can communicate about present and past events, recently completed actions and life experiences.
- can communicate about where things are and when things happen.
- can express opposites, comparisons and ownership.
- can ask questions, answer questions, and write full sentences.

Elementary level

The student has sufficient active vocabulary and structural understanding to.....
- write a short connected text on descriptive or narrative topics.
- read and understand a text from a familiar range of topics.
- ask and answer questions about past or present events.
- distinguish between and use a variety of tenses in familiar contexts: past, present and future.
- express basic intention, purpose, obligation, preference and advice.

Pre - intermediate level

The student has sufficient active vocabulary and structural understanding to.....
- write a short connected text on descriptive, narrative or imaginary topics.
- read and understand a text from a familiar range of topics.
- distinguish between and use a variety of tenses: past present and future.
- ask and answer questions about past or present or future events.
- express basic intention, purpose, obligation, preference, advice, agreement and
disagreement, hypothesis and process.

Intermediate level

The student has sufficient active vocabulary and structural understanding to.....
- write a short connected text on descriptive, narrative or imaginary topics.
- read and understand texts from both concrete or abstract topics.
- distinguish between and use a variety of tenses: past present and future.
- ask and answer questions about past or present or future events.
- express basic intention, purpose, obligation, preference, advice, agreement and
disagreement process and hypothesis including regret and consequence.
- repeat messages, pass on information, check facts.

Advanced level

The student has a good active vocabulary and structural understanding, and can.....
- write clear connected text on descriptive, narrative, imaginary or discursive topics.
- write letters, both formal and informal.
- understand and respond to the main points of a text on any topic, concrete or
abstract.
- use language to perform any function likely to arise in a normal social or learning
context.
- manipulate structures to create emphasis, and vary style and idiom.
- listen and respond to passages and questions in a variety of forms delivered at a measured speaking pace.

AcCEPT Proficiency level

The student has a very good active vocabulary and structural understanding, and can therefore undertake a course of study in English in further or higher education. The student can successfully.....
- write clear, organised text on descriptive, narrative, or discursive topics, including giving opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of a given issue.
- write letters, both formal and informal.
- read and respond to a longer text on any topic, concrete or abstract.
- provide an accurate summary of a text.
- use language to perform any function likely to arise in a normal social or learning context.
- manipulate structures to create emphasis, and vary style and idiom.
- listen and respond accurately to passages and questions in a variety of forms and contexts, delivered at a normal speaking pace.

Masters level

The student can confidently manipulate the language and use it both for any study or professional purpose. Building on proficiency level, the student can successfully.....
- take notes while listening to information given at normal speaking pace and then
use those notes for a targeted task.
- take notes from a long text on any topic and use those notes to argue a case in
clear, organised written text.
- show understanding of a variety of texts in both a detailed and global way.
- understand and produce language in a variety of styles and idioms.

Business English examination levels: Performance indicators

Level 1

In a typical office or workplace context, the student can.....
- listen to, understand and record practical factual information given in message
form.
- deal with basic social situations, such as making introductions, asking/giving
permission, showing gratitude.
- deal with the basic methods of modern office communication i.e. write an accurate
fax from information provided; write an appropriate email response to an enquiry.

Level 2

In a typical business or work-related environment, the student can.....
- pick out relevant information from a conversation or exchange and accurately
record it.
- deal with the common exchanges of a business environment, both functional and
social such as making an arrangement, confirming an appointment, making
introductions.
- manipulate basic data.
- deal with the basic methods of modern office communication i.e. write a plausible
and coherent fax; respond to an email.

Level 3

In a typical business environment, the student can.....
- listen to, pick out and record relevant information from an authentic context.
- read and manipulate a variety of written forms of business communication
including letter, memo, note, fax, email, newspaper article.
- deal with a longer business-related text; provide an accurate summary of key
points.
- respond appropriately in a typical business conversation or exchange.

Level 4

In a typical business environment, the student can.....
- follow presentations or exchanges typical of business meetings and accurately.
- convert information from them into an acceptable graphic representation.
- summarise information from a wide range of spoken and written sources.
- deal with longer, complex business texts.
- write a coherent, structured report.
- control the language of business and manipulate it for specific purposes.