A second marking of the whole test, for a fee you get back only if something changes. Because Pearson already had a human review the long tasks, changes are uncommon; a near miss is usually better fixed by a re-sit.
Glossary term
Rescore
A rescore is Pearson’s paid re-marking of a completed PTE, requested within 14 days of the result for US$160. It covers the whole test, not a single section, is carried out by human raters, and the fee is refunded if any score changes. Scores can go down as well as up.
Requested from myPTE after results. If the rescore changes a score, a new report replaces the old one.
What a rescore re-marks
Human raters review the responses the automated system scored, across the whole test. Items with a single correct answer, such as multiple choice and blanks, will not change; the items that can move are the trait-scored speaking and writing responses. Those responses on the seven long tasks already had a human review of Content before the original result, which is why rescores rarely change much.
If any score changes, the fee is refunded and the changed score becomes your result, even if it is lower. If nothing changes, the fee is kept.
Rescore or re-sit
A rescore makes sense when a score is anomalous against everything else you know: a Speaking score far below your mock average with no technical problem on the day, for example. It does not make sense for a near miss, because the expected change is small and can be negative, and because a re-sit costs a similar amount and gives you a fresh attempt with new items.
Check the timeline as well. A rescore takes time to process, and if your application deadline is close, a re-sit booked now with results in days may be the faster route.
The numbers that matter
| Fee | US$160 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Within 14 days of receiving the result |
| Scope | Whole test; no single-section rescore |
| Refund | Full, if any score changes |
| Direction | Scores can rise or fall; the new result stands |
| Limits | Once per test registration, most recent test only, requested by phone |
| Already reviewed by a human | Content on the seven long tasks, before the original result |
Worked example
One scored 63 against a 65 requirement, in line with mocks. A rescore is unlikely to add two points and could remove some; the re-sit is the answer. Another scored Speaking 45 against a mock average of 70, with the other three skills where expected and no microphone issue reported. That is the anomaly a rescore exists for.
What it shows: A rescore is a challenge to an outlier, not a way to gain a point.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a PTE rescore cost?
US$160, requested within 14 days of the result. The fee is refunded in full if any score changes.
Can I rescore only my Speaking section?
No. A rescore covers the whole test. Items with a fixed correct answer will not change; the trait-scored speaking and writing responses are what is re-marked.
Can a rescore lower my PTE score?
Yes. Scores can move in either direction and the new result stands. That is why a rescore is best reserved for a result that is clearly anomalous rather than a near miss.
Related terms
More PTE terms
AppropriacyCEFRCLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks)Communicative SkillsCompetent, Proficient and Superior EnglishConcordance (PTE to IELTS)ContentDevelopment, Structure and CoherenceEmail ConventionsEnhanced PTE Academic (August 2025)Erasable NoteboardExpress EntryFormGeneral Linguistic RangeGrammarGSE (Global Scale of English)Integrated TaskNegative MarkingOne Skill RetakeOral FluencyOverall ScorePartial CreditPersonal IntroductionPronunciationPTE CorePTE HomeReschedule and Cancellation PolicyScore BandScore Report CodeScore ValidityScoring TraitsSELT (Secure English Language Test)Sending ScoresShared Clock (Reading and Listening)Skills ProfileSpellingThree-Second Silence RuleUKVIURN (Unique Reference Number)Vocabulary