- Available for four language skills – Reading and Listening, Speaking and Writing.
- Reading and Listening tests available in four languages – English, French, German and Spanish.
- Speaking and Writing tests available in English.
- All tasks and topics set in real-life work contexts.
- Tests can be taken together or in any combination.
- Tests can be taken at any computer, any time.
- Rapid results and instant test report forms.
- Aligned with ALTE and CEFR levels.
Business Language Testing Service (BULATS) Online tests can be taken at any computer with a fast internet connection. No software needs to be downloaded or installed. A tutorial and demonstration test are available for candidates to familiarise themselves with the task types. On-screen help guides are available throughout the tests and information for candidates handbooks are also available.
BULATS Online Reading and Listening test
- Assesses listening and reading skills, and knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.
- Lasts about one hour.
- Available in English, French, German and Spanish. Test questions and instructions are in the same language as the test.
- Divided into two sections – Listening; Reading and Language Knowledge.
- Pinpoints ability quickly and accurately by using adaptive testing techniques. As you progress through the test, the computer selects and presents each question on the basis of the previous answer.
- Result is available at the end of the test.
BULATS Online Speaking test
- Assesses speaking in a foreign language in a business context.
- Lasts about 15 minutes.
- Available in English and will be available in French, German and Spanish in the future.
- Questions are presented via the computer screen.
- Topics include:
- buying and selling
- products and services
- the economy and the stock market
- the office and general business environment
- entertainment of business clients
- business travel
- human resources
- training and development.
- Consists of five parts:
- Part 1: Interview – you answer eight questions about yourself and your background/work/future plans (e.g. What is your job?).
- Part 2: Reading aloud – you read eight sentences aloud.
- Part 3: Presentation – you are given a work-related topic (e.g. the perfect office) to talk about for one minute.
- Part 4: Presentation with graphic – you are given one or more graphics (e.g. pie charts, line graphs) with a business focus (e.g. company exports) to talk about for one minute.
- Part 5: Communication activity – you give your opinion on five questions related to one scenario (e.g. planning a conference).
- Responses are recorded and assessed online by one or more examiners.
BULATS Online Writing test
- Assesses writing skills, and knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.
- Lasts 45 minutes.
- Available in English and will be available in French, German and Spanish in the future.
- Writing tasks are presented via the computer screen.
- Topics include:
- buying and selling
- products and services
- the office and general business environment
- entertainment of business clients
- business travel
- human resources
- training and development
- marketing.
- Consists of two parts:
- Part 1: You type a short email/letter/message of 50–60 words. Part 1 is a compulsory task and contributes one-third of the final mark.
- Part 2: You type a report or a letter of 180–200 words following instructions. There is a choice of tasks for Part 2 and it contributes two-thirds of the final mark.