PTE Rescoring Guide To Know Whether It Is Right For You

FEBRUARY 2026

When your PTE score isn’t what you hoped for…

Getting a PTE result that falls short of your target can feel heartbreaking—especially when that score is tied to your study, work, or visa plans. In that moment, many test takers ask the same urgent question: “Should I apply for a rescore?”

Before making that decision, it’s important to understand how PTE rescoring really works, what can (and cannot) change, and whether it’s worth the time and cost. This guide explains the official PTE rescore process—so you can decide your next step with clarity, not panic.

When your PTE score isn’t what you hoped for
What is PTE Academic rescoring?
Which parts of the PTE exam can be rescored?
Who can request a PTE rescore?
How much does PTE rescoring cost?
What are the risks of requesting a rescore?
When does PTE rescoring make sense?
When rescoring is unlikely to help
What to do instead of rescoring

What is PTE Academic rescoring?

PTE Academic rescoring is a formal review process offered by Pearson. It allows certain responses from your test to be reviewed again to confirm they were scored correctly.

Rescoring is not a retake of the exam. You do not submit new answers. Instead, Pearson reviews parts of your existing responses to check whether the original scoring followed their official standards.

Rescoring exists to catch possible scoring issues—it is not designed to guarantee a higher score.

Which parts of the PTE exam can be rescored?

Only specific parts of the PTE Academic exam are eligible for rescoring.

According to Pearson’s official policy, rescoring applies only to responses that involve spoken or open-ended written input, such as:

Speaking responses
Open-ended writing tasks (for example, essays)

Question types with fixed or objectively correct answers—such as multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank questions—cannot be rescored.

This means rescoring focuses on areas where performance interpretation may vary, rather than questions with clear right or wrong answers.

Who can request a PTE rescore?

You can request a rescore if all of the following conditions are met:

You have already received your PTE Academic score report
The test is your most recent PTE exam
You submit the request within 14 calendar days of receiving your result

If you book and take another PTE exam before requesting a rescore, you will no longer be eligible to rescore the earlier result.

How much does PTE rescoring cost? (as of 2025)

Rescoring involves a fee, which may vary by region and can change over time.

As of 2025, the commonly applied fees are:

Rescore review fee: approximately USD 125
- This fee is refunded if your score changes
Technical review fee: often around USD 50
- This applies if you believe a technical issue (such as audio recording problems) affected your test
- Refunded only if a technical issue is confirmed

Always confirm the exact fee during the rescoring request process, as pricing may differ depending on location.

What are the risks of requesting a rescore?

It’s important to approach rescoring with realistic expectations.

After a rescore review:

Your score may increase if a scoring issue is found
Your score may stay the same, which is the most common outcome
Your score may decrease if differences in scoring are identified

While score decreases are uncommon, they are possible. This is why rescoring should be a considered decision, not a rushed one.

When does PTE rescoring make sense?

Rescoring may be worth considering if:

You missed your required score by 1–2 points
Your lower score comes mainly from Speaking or Writing
You experienced a clear technical issue during the test
You want confirmation before deciding whether to retake the exam

In these situations, rescoring can sometimes provide clarity without immediately committing to another test attempt.

If you’re unsure whether rescoring or retaking the test is the better option, it helps to understand how close your current score already is to your target. You can use our PTE Score Calculator to check how your results compare and whether a small improvement could already meet your requirement:
👉 https://edubenchmark.com/blog/pte-score-calculator/

When rescoring is unlikely to help

Rescoring is generally less effective when:

You are well below your required score
Most of your lost points come from objective question types
You have limited familiarity with the test format and timing

In these cases, rescoring often confirms the original result, and focusing on preparation is usually a more productive next step.

What to do instead of rescoring

If rescoring doesn’t feel like the right option, consider actions that give you more control over your outcome, such as:

Reviewing your score report to identify skill gaps
Practising under exam-like conditions
Taking scored mock tests to check readiness and track progress
Using structured materials or guidance to target weak areas

For many candidates, these steps lead to more predictable and meaningful score improvements than rescoring alone.

Final thoughts: choose clarity over panic

PTE rescoring exists to provide a second look when there’s a reasonable chance a scoring issue occurred. While it can sometimes lead to small improvements—and your fee is refunded if scores change—it is not a shortcut or guaranteed fix.

Before requesting a rescore, consider how close you are to your goal, which parts of the exam are eligible for review, and whether improving through preparation may be the better path forward.

What’s next? Prepare with the right support

If you’re looking for a trustworthy partner for your PTE preparation, Benchmark PTE offers realistic scored mock tests that reflect the real exam experience. They help you understand where you stand, focus your preparation, and rebuild confidence before your next test.

Practise with clarity. Prepare with confidence.