PTE Rescore and Appeal Guide: Is It Worth Requesting a Review?

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is known for its fast, fair, and fully computer-based scoring. But what happens if you’re not satisfied with your PTE score? Can you challenge it? Should you request a rescore or appeal a decision? In this blog, we’ll explain the PTE rescore, technical review, and appeal policies in clear detail so you can make an informed decision. We’ll also explore the chances of a score change and the potential risks involved.

1. Requesting a Rescore: What You Need to Know

If you believe your PTE score doesn’t reflect your actual performance, you can request a rescore for your most recent test. Although the PTE Academic is mostly machine-scored, some parts of the test are also reviewed by human raters. This means that there is a chance, though generally small, that your score could change if reassessed.

Important Facts About PTE Rescores:

• Fee: $125 USD, refunded if your communicative or overall score changes.
• Time Limit: You must request it within 14 calendar days of receiving your results.
• How to Apply: By calling PTE Customer Support rescores can only be paid for by phone.
• Eligibility: You can only request a rescore for your most recent test, and only once per test.
• Restriction: You cannot request a rescore if you’ve already booked another test.

What Happens After You Request It?

If your score changes, whether it increases or decreases, the new score replaces the old one immediately. You cannot use your original score again, and it will be removed from your profile. That means if your new score is lower, it could negatively affect applications you’ve already submitted.

Is It Worth It?

Rescores rarely lead to significant score changes unless there was an actual scoring error. However, if you’re close to a required score for admission or visa and strongly believe there was a mistake, it might be worth trying. Just be prepared: the score can go down, and the rescore decision is final.

2. Requesting a Technical Review

If you suspect that a technical issue affected your speaking score, such as audio recording problems, you can request a technical review.

Key Points About Technical Reviews:

• Fee: $50 USD; refunded only if a technical issue is confirmed.
• Result: No score change, the review only confirms whether a technical issue occurred.
• Time Limit: Must be requested within 15 business days of receiving your score.
• How to Apply: Through the Customer Support Form on the PTE website.

What You Get:

• If technical problems are found, your test fee and technical review fee are refunded, or a voucher is issued if you paid via voucher.
• If no issues are found, you don’t get a refund, and your original score stands.

Is It Worth It?

This is useful if you felt your microphone didn’t work or there were unexpected technical glitches. Since it won’t change your score, only request it if you genuinely suspect a technical failure.

3. Retake Policy: When You Can Try Again

If your score didn’t meet your target and you prefer not to risk a rescore, retaking the test is a safe and common option.

Retake Rules:

• You must wait until your current test results are available before booking a new test.
• Tests can be booked 6 months in advance.

• You can take the test up to 12 times in 12 months.You may request an exception to take more if needed.
• Don’t create multiple accounts to bypass this limit, this could lead to score delays or even being banned.

Is It Worth It?

For most test-takers, retaking is the safest path. With additional practice and better preparation, it’s often more effective than gambling on a rescore.

4. Appeal Process: For Rescore, Technical Review, or Malpractice Decisions

If you’re unhappy with the result of a rescore, technical review, or a malpractice decision, such as having your score revoked, you may file an appeal.

Appeal Eligibility:

You can appeal only if:

• You’ve already received the outcome of a rescore or technical review and believe PTE didn’t follow proper procedures.
• You were involved in a malpractice decision and feel it was handled unfairly.

Stage One Appeal:

• Fee: $120 USD, refunded if successful.
• Deadline: Apply within 15 business days of your rescore, technical review, or malpractice decision.
• Who Reviews It: A Pearson expert not involved in your original case.
• Outcome Timeframe: Within 30 business days after payment.

Stage Two Appeal (Final Option):

• Fee: $150 USD (refunded if successful).
• Deadline: Apply within 15 business days of receiving the Stage One appeal result.
• Who Reviews It: An independent expert external to Pearson.
• Outcome Timeframe: Within 30 business days after payment.

Note: You must complete Stage One before proceeding to Stage Two. This is the final stage; no further appeals are allowed.

5. Malpractice Warning

Pearson takes malpractice seriously. If a rescore or technical review raises suspicions of dishonest behavior, your score may be revoked, your account suspended, and you may be banned from future testing. Always follow official procedures and rules honestly.

Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:

Ultimately, whether a rescore or appeal is worth it depends on your specific situation. If you’re just a few points short and suspect a scoring error, a rescore could help. But if you want a guaranteed fresh start, retaking the test is often the better choice.