Student

Guide
for the

CEMS Language Tests

for
Communication in Management
 JANUARY 2006

Dear CEMS student,

This guide has been developed to help you understand and fulfil the CEMS
graduation requirements for foreign language business communication.

The Language Tests for Communication in Management are NOT like

the tests you took in secondary school and/or at university. There are no
grammar exercises or translation activities. The tests are developed to
assess your ability to manipulate the target language in a managerial con-
text. This means that you will need to use the language to communicate a
message. Thus, regardless of your proficiency, you should be sure that you
are familiar with both oral and written communication skills (making busi-
ness presentations, participating in meetings, writing memos, reports,
etc.). There are a plethora of materials available both on the web and in the
libraries to guide you in these areas if you do not have access to formal
courses. In addition, we have posted some retired tests with sample
answers on www.cems.org that you can use for reference.

Please bear in mind, the availability of training and supervision unfortu-

nately varies greatly from school to school. There is no overall central lan-
guage training scheme for the CEMS MIM. The requirements for gradua-
tion are spelled out quite clearly in both this guide and the general student
handbook. Thus, the onus is on you to meet these requirements in order to
receive your CEMS MIM degree. Please check www.cems.org for an updat-
ed list of courses offered for credit and exemption at the CEMS schools.
Certain schools also organize test preparation courses and seminars (to
assist you in doing your best on the test and helping you to identify your
areas of strength and weakness). Do take advantage of these opportunities
as they can make a huge difference in your success on the tests. Again,
check with your coordinator for local availability.

If you have any questions regarding the information you find in the
guide or your own personal situation, please contact either the
Coordinator or the Languages for Communication in Management Sub-
committee member at your school (see list on back inside cover).

Good luck!

Joyce Kling
Chair,
Languages for Communication in Management Sub-committee

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 STUDENT GUIDE — CEMS LANGUAGE TESTS FOR COMMUNICATION IN MANAGEMENT

A. Language Requirements & Testing Procedures

1) The Language Test

Fluency and communication skills in two foreign languages are tested
before graduation, by means of oral and written tests.
Overall, you are expected to demonstrate possession of adequate linguis-
tic and communication skills to function effectively in a professional envi-
ronment where the target language is used.
R In the written test, this typically means assimilating oral and written
information and using it to perform a specific communication task.
R In the oral test, the candidate has to make a formal presentation and
take part in an interaction, both of which concern business topics.

2) Language Combinations
After declaring one mother tongue, students must declare two foreign lan-
guages from the following CEMS languages:

Czech German Swedish

Danish Hungarian Polish
Dutch Irish Portuguese
English* Italian Russian
Finnish Norwegian
French Spanish

Please note:
* All non-native English speakers must declare English as their first for-
eign language.
In extreme cases, oral tests in certain CEMS languages may involve
travelling to the member school where that language is the language
of instruction.
Certain language combinations are not acceptable, e.g. Slovak/
Czech and Norwegian/Danish/Swedish. If you are uncertain about
your language combination, contact your local coordinator.
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 JANUARY 2006

3) Level
The level of communicative competence expected from the CEMS Master
in the first foreign language is that of the proficient user. For assessment
purposes, we refer to proficiency scales of the European Framework of
Reference for Foreign Languages (CEF).
The C1 level of this scale applied to managerial communication corre-
sponds to the CEMS PASS level for the first foreign language. The gradu-
ation requirement for the second foreign language is B2 for oral skills and
B1 for written skills (B1 for native English speakers, with no written test
required).
The criteria for assessment of the CEMS Test of Language for
Communication in Management have been adapted from the Common
European Framework of Reference for Languages: learning, teaching,
assessment (CEF).
CEMS results are reported based on the CEF common reference levels with
C2 being the most advanced level.

C2 Can understand with ease virtually everything heard

or read. Can summarise information from different
spoken and written sources, reconstructing argu-
ments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can
express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and
precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning
even in more complex situations.
Proficient
User
C1 Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer
texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express
him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much
obvious searching for expressions. Can use language
flexibly and effectively for social, academic and pro-
fessional purposes. Can produce clear, well-struc-
tured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing
controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors
and cohesive devices.

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 STUDENT GUIDE — CEMS LANGUAGE TESTS FOR COMMUNICATION IN MANAGEMENT

B2 Can understand the main ideas of complex text on

both concrete and abstract topics, including techni-
cal discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can
interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that
makes regular interaction with native speakers quite
possible without strain for either party. Can produce
clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and
explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the
Independant advantages and disadvantages of various options.
User
B1 Can understand the main points of clear standard
input on familiar matters regularly encountered in
work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situa-
tions likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where
the language is spoken. Can produce simple con-
nected text on topics which are familiar or of person-
al interest. Can describe experiences and events,
dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give rea-
sons and explanations for opinions and plans.

A2 Can understand sentences and frequently used

expressions related to areas of most immediate rele-
vance (e.g. very basic personal and family informa-
tion, shopping, local geography, employment). Can
communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a
simple and direct exchange of information on famil-
iar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms
aspects of his/her background, immediate environ-
Basic ment and matters in areas of immediate need.
User
A1 Can understand and use familiar everyday expres-
sions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfac-
tion of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce
him/herself and others and can ask and answer ques-
tions about personal details such as where he/she
lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has.
Can interact in a simple way provided the other per-
son talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Common Reference Levels: global scale

Source: Council of Europe. (2002) Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages: learning, teaching, assessment. Table 1. Cambridge University Press. p.24.
The entire framework can be found at:
www.culture2.coe.int/portfolio/documents_intro/common_framework.html

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 JANUARY 2006

4) Evaluation Criteria in Language Tests

To ensure a maximum degree of objectivity and comparability between
examining centres and languages, all CEMS language tests are marked on
the basis of evaluation sheets which specify what the examiner has to look
for and, together with the Guide for Examiners, supply guidance as to the
level that should be given. These criteria build on the European Framework
for Foreign Languages (see pt.3 above)

5) Preparation Information Packs

To help you meet the requirements of the language tests, past tests are
available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish at www.cems.org
Preparation packs for the written tests in English, French, German, Italian
and Spanish are now being revised and will be available on the web in the
near future.

6) Test Administration
1. The tests are administered twice a year: April/May and September.
2. Tests are organized at each school for the 5 ‘CEMS Languages’ (English,
French, German, Italian and Spanish).
3. For information about availability in any other language, please consult
your Coordinator.
4. Both sections of the test (written and oral) must be attempted at the same
session but you do not need to test in both languages at the same session).
5. If you fail one section of a test, you only need to resit that section (max.
3 attempts).

7) Registration
1. Registration must be carried out via the Coordinator at your home
school. Deadlines must be respected, and it is your personal responsi-
bility to ensure that you register in time.
2. After registration, you may withdraw up to two weeks before the test if
you are unable to attend. (NB: pt 9)
3. If you are registered at one school, you can transfer to another centre if
the Coordinators are able to make the necessary arrangements.
4. You cannot expect to be allowed to sit tests for which you have not reg-
istered or if you fail to observe the correct procedures.
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 STUDENT GUIDE — CEMS LANGUAGE TESTS FOR COMMUNICATION IN MANAGEMENT

8) No-Shows
If you register for a test and then fail to turn up without providing adequate
justification for your absence, the attempt will be counted as a fail in the
language concerned at that session and you will lose a ‘try’.

9) Exemptions
You may receive exemption from the CEMS Language Test for
Communication in Management in several different ways.
a) You are bilingual. You can only declare one mother tongue. However, if
you have completed your entire secondary school education or a com-
plete university degree in your second language, you may be eligible for
exemption.
b) You have successfully passed one of several commercial language tests.
An updated list of these tests is available at www.cems.org.
c) You have successfully passed a CEMS accredited language course. An
updated list of these courses is available at www.cems.org.
d) You were assessed by a CEMS Language for Communication in
Management examiner while completing an assignment in one of your
a content course (oral test only).
To apply for exemption, contact your local Coordinator or Sub-committee
member.

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 JANUARY 2006

B. The Four Sections of the Language Test

The CEMS language test consists of four sections.

You may use a MONOLINGUAL dictionary during the entire test.

Bilingual dictionaries are not allowed. You may use your own dictionary,
however all dictionaries must be clean and free from notes. Dictionaries
will also be made available by the schools during the tests.

1) Written A: listening comprehension

You will listen to a recording from which you will extract information and
then use it appropriately to perform a specified written task.

2) Written B: reading comprehension

You will receive a written text that you will have to read, scan for relevant
information and use appropriately to perform another task.
You have three hours to do both sections of the written test, after listen-
ing to the audio input.
The tasks for Written A & B could be:
R a detailed report or proposal
R a detailed company profile
R a detailed analysis or problem-solving exercise
R a detailed press-release to be used as serious promotional material
For both Written A & B, you will be assessed in the following areas:
R business reports, etc.
R coherence and cohesion
R vocabulary range
R language accuracy
R task achievement
R original production (NOT parroting back the written input)
The appropriateness of the length of your paper depends on the task and
your language. For further information consult your Sub-committee member.

Note: Please do not neglect the presentation of your work. You must write with a
pen; do not use a pencil.

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 STUDENT GUIDE — CEMS LANGUAGE TESTS FOR COMMUNICATION IN MANAGEMENT

3) Oral A: presentation
You will give a 10-minute presentation, using the provided input to pre-
pare the task. The use of the available visual aids is encouraged. All mate-
rials will be supplied at the test.
Among other tasks, you may be asked to:
R Present a specific case or project with a suggested plan of action
R Explain workings and structures of the company to a panel (investors,
new employees, the press )
Sell, promote and present new products or innovations
For this section of the oral test, you have 90 minutes to prepare.
Nota: presentation could be to an internal or external audience.

You will be assessed in the following areas:

R content management
R spoken fluency
R coherence and cohesion
R vocabulary range
R grammatical accuracy
R phonological control
R task achievement and presentation skills

4) Oral B: interaction
You will take part in a max.15-minute interaction (meeting or negotiation),
to discuss business problems. For example, you may be asked to:
R participate in an internal meeting
R participate in an external meeting
R conduct negotiations with clients, suppliers, subcontractors, competi-
tors about selling, contracts, agreements, co-operation
For this section of the oral test, you have 30 minutes to prepare.

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 JANUARY 2006

You will be assessed in the following areas:

R formal discussion and meetings
R spoken fluency
R coherence and cohesion
R vocabulary range
R grammatical accuracy
R phonological control
R task achievement

D. Overall Result
The Overall Result is an assessment of the total communicative effective-
ness of your performance in each section.
R You must fulfil the minimum specified level criterion on each of the sub-
scales in order to achieve the overall level for that section.
R The Overall Oral A + Oral B reflects your overall performance. Again,
you must fulfill the minimum requirement to achieve a stated level.
e.g.
Average Oral A: B2
Average Oral B: C1
Overall Result: B2 (the lower of the two results)

1) Additional Considerations
TIME
A time limit for presentations is set in order to ensure that they cover the
topic sufficiently and provide a rateable sample. Task achievement will be
evaluated on the basis of CONTENT not TIME.

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 STUDENT GUIDE — CEMS LANGUAGE TESTS FOR COMMUNICATION IN MANAGEMENT

E. Evaluation Criteria and Pass Levels for the Written Test

Written sections A and B

The set of evaluation criteria for Section A and B are identical. The pass lev-
els, however, vary according to whether the language is your first (FL1) or
second (FL2) foreign language.

1) Business Reports and Memos

Pass level FL1:
You can:
R write clear, well-structured expositions of complex subjects, underlining
the relevant salient issues.
R expand and support points of view at some length with subsidiary
points, reasons and relevant examples.
Pass level FL2:
You can:
R write a business report or memo which develops an argument system-
atically with appropriate highlighting of significant points and relevant
supporting detail.
R evaluate different ideas or solutions to a problem.

2) Coherence and Cohesion

Pass level FL1:
You can:
R produce clear, smoothly-flowing, well-structured text, showing con-
trolled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
Pass level FL2:
You can:
R use a limited number of cohesive devices to link his/her utterances into
clear, coherent discourse, though there may be some “jumpiness” in a
long contribution.

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 JANUARY 2006

3) Vocabulary Range
Pass level FL1:
You have:
R a good command of a broad lexical repertoire allowing gaps to be read-
ily overcome with circumlocutions; few avoidance strategies.
R a good command of idiomatic expressions and collocations.
Pass level FL2:
You have:
R a sufficient vocabulary to express yourself with some circumlocutions on
most topics pertinent to your everyday life such as family, hobbies and
interests, work, travel, and current events.

4) Language Accuracy
The CEMS scale for Language accuracy combines descriptors of the CEF
scales for Orthographic Control and Grammatical Accuracy.
Pass level FL1:
You:
R can produce clearly intelligible continuous writing which follows stan-
dard layout and paragraphing conventions. Spelling and punctuation
are reasonably accurate but may show signs of mother tongue influ-
ence.
R have good grammatical control; occasional “slips” or non-systematic
errors and minor flaws in sentence structure may still occur, but they are
rare and do not interfere with comprehension.
Pass level FL2:
You can:
R produce continuous writing which is generally intelligible throughout.
Spelling, punctuation and layout are accurate enough to be followed
most of the time.
R communicate with reasonable accuracy in familiar contexts; generally
good control though with noticeable mother tongue influence. Errors
occur, but it is clear what you are trying to express.

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 STUDENT GUIDE — CEMS LANGUAGE TESTS FOR COMMUNICATION IN MANAGEMENT

F. Evaluation Criteria and Pass Levels for the Oral Test

The set of evaluation criteria for Section A and B are slightly different. Each
set contains – apart from 5 identical criteria – one specific criterion: ”Content
management” (Section A) and ”Discussions and meetings” (Section B).

Oral Section A: Presentation

1) Content Management
Pass level FL1:
You can:
R give a clear, well-structured presentation of a complex subject, expand-
ing and supporting points of view at some length with subsidiary points,
reasons and relevant examples.
R handle questions well, responding spontaneously and almost effortlessly.

Pass level FL2: (non-native speakers of English) +

Pass level FL2: (native speakers of English)
You can:
R give a clear, prepared presentation, giving reasons in support of or
against a particular point of view and giving the advantages and disad-
vantages of various options.
R take a series of follow-up questions with a degree of fluency and spon-
taneity which poses no strain for either yourself or the audience.

2) Spoken Fluency
Pass level FL1:
You can:
R communicate spontaneously, often showing reasonable fluency and
ease of expression in even longer complex stretches of speech.
Pass level FL2: (non-native speakers of English) +
You can:
R produce stretches of language with a fairly even tempo; although you
can be hesitant as you search for patterns and expressions, there are
few noticeably long pauses.
R interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular
interaction with native speakers quite possible without imposing strain
on either party.
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 JANUARY 2006

Pass level FL2: (native speakers of English)

You can:
R express yourself with relative ease. Despite some problems with formu-
lation resulting in pauses and “cul-de-sacs”, are able to keep going
effectively without help.

3) Coherence and Cohesion

Pass level FL1:
You can:
R produce clear, smoothly-flowing, well-structured speech, showing con-
trolled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
Pass level FL2: (non-native speakers of English) +
You can:
R use a variety of linking words efficiently to mark clearly the relationships
between ideas.
Pass level FL2: (native speakers of English)
You can:
R use a limited number of cohesive devices to link your utterances into
clear, coherent discourse, though there may be some “jumpiness” in a
long contribution.

4) Vocabulary Range
Pass level FL1:
You:
R can show and use a broad lexical repertoire, allowing gaps to be readi-
ly overcome with circumlocution. There is little obvious searching for
expressions or avoidance strategies.
R have good command of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.
Pass level FL2: (non-native speakers of English) +
You:
R have a good range of vocabulary for matters connected to his field and
most general topics.
R can vary formulation to avoid frequent repetition, but lexical gaps can
still cause hesitation and circumlocution.

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 STUDENT GUIDE — CEMS LANGUAGE TESTS FOR COMMUNICATION IN MANAGEMENT

Pass level FL2: (native speakers of English)

You:
R have a sufficient vocabulary to express him/herself with some circumlo-
cutions on most topics pertinent to his everyday life such as family, hob-
bies and interests, work, travel, and current events.

5) Grammatical Accuracy
Pass level FL1:
You can:
R demonstrate good grammatical control; occasional “slips” or non-sys-
tematic errors and minor flaws in sentence structure may still occur, but
they are rare and can be corrected in retrospect.
Pass level FL2: (non-native speakers of English) +
You can:
R show a relatively high degree of grammatical control
R do not make mistakes which lead to misunderstanding.
Pass level FL2: (native speakers of English)
You:
R communicate with reasonable accuracy in familiar contexts; generally
good control though with noticeable mother tongue influence. Errors
occur, but it is clear what you are trying to express.

6) Phonological Control
Pass level FL1:
You can:
R be clearly understood even if a foreign accent is sometimes evident and
occasional mispronunciations occur.
Pass level FL2: (non-native speakers of English) +
Pass level FL2: (native speakers of English)
Your:
R pronunciation is generally clear enough to be understood despite a
noticeable foreign accent, but listeners and conversational partners will
need to ask for repetition from time to time.

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 JANUARY 2006

7) Task Achieved – YES/NO

You successfully fulfil the task given in the test without copying directly
from the input.

8) Business-like Presentation – YES/NO

Your presentation must meet the criteria of a business-like presentation in
terms of audience focus, presence, persuasiveness, eye contact, body lan-
guage, use of note and enthusiasm.

Oral Section B: Interaction

In addition to the criteria above, the following is also evaluated:

1) Discussions and Meetings

Pass level FL1:
You can:
R get involved in discussions, identifying accurately arguments supporting
and opposing points of view.
R express your ideas and opinions with precision
R present and respond to complex lines of argument convincingly.

Pass level FL2: (non-native speakers of English) +

Pass level FL2: (native speakers of English)
You can:
R participate actively in routine and non-routine formal discussions.
R follow the discussion on matters related to your field, understand in
detail the points given prominence by the speaker.
R contribute, account for and sustain your opinion, evaluate alternative
proposals and make and respond to hypotheses.

2) Task Achieved
You successfully fulfil the task given in the test.

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 STUDENT GUIDE — CEMS LANGUAGE TESTS FOR COMMUNICATION IN MANAGEMENT

Why people fail…

Students fail because of:
R serious and frequent formal errors of grammar
R lack of vocabulary, general or business, preventing the candidate from
fully expressing what he/she wants to say, or causing misuse of key
words
R significant pronunciation mistakes interfering with intelligibility, marked
mother- tongue interference
R unclear, vague, ineffective and inefficient argument
R frequent hesitations, obvious searching for words, inadequate mastery
of the language causing misunderstanding, confusion, loss of meaning,
irritation, the attention of the listener being diverted from the content.
R misunderstanding of key information contained in the written or oral
inputs.
R irrelevance
R parroting, reading aloud from notes
R no understanding of what is expected regarding the task
R illegible writing.

NB: For all sections of the CEMS Language Tests, be sure you read the
instructions carefully.

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 Languages for Communication in Management
Sub-committee Members

BOC Bianca Maria San Pietro [email protected]

CBS Joyce Kling [email protected]
CUB Eva Nagy [email protected]
ESADE Tricia Smith [email protected]
HEC Michael Brookes [email protected]
HSE Tuija Nikko [email protected]
HSG to be appointed in 2006 (contact coordinator)
LSE Nick Byrne [email protected]
NHH Åge Lind [email protected]
RSM Lara Groen [email protected]
SGH Anna Glinska [email protected]
SSE Margaritha Jacobaeus [email protected]
UCD Esther Sanz [email protected]
UCL Caroline Klein [email protected]
UoC David Thorne contact: Honorata Siejka
[email protected]
VSE Zdenka Posvicova [email protected]
WUW Wolfgang Obenaus [email protected]
CEMS European Office Tel. + 33 (0)1 39 67 74 57
1, rue de la Libération Fax + 33 (0)1 39 67 74 81
F-78350 Jouy-en-Josas. France [email protected] www.cems.org