Sign in Subscribe

PTE Scoring: How Pearson's AI Calculates Your Results

Last updated on 

The Pearson Test of English uses an advanced AI technology to evaluate your performance across four categories: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. Understanding what the AI is trained to look for can help improve your scores.

Table of Contents

How Does the PTE Scoring System Work?

PTE tests are machined scored using Pearson’s automated scoring engine. The system uses artificial intelligence to mimic human examiners. By relying on AI, Pearson is able to remove any sources of bias and have greater consistency in grading. Human experts do still carry out two types of scoring: the scoring of unusual or abnormal responses the AI cannot reliably score and tasks requiring human review like the Describe Image and Retell Lecture questions.

PTE scores range from 10-90 points based on the 52 to 64 tasks you will complete. When you take the test, you will be given 5 scores: 4 subscores and 1 overall score. Your overall score is not an exact average of your 4 subscores.

The PTE Subscores

Communicative Skills

The Score Report displays your communicative skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. These skills are graded independently throughout different test sections. While some tasks evaluate specific abilities, others assess multiple communicative skills at once.

These scores are shared with the university, institution, or government you are applying to.

Example of an official Score Report from the Pearson Test of English Academic
An official score report from the Pearson Test of English Academic

Enabling Skills

In addition to the four communicative skills, Pearson also measures enabling skills. These are components evaluated by the AI to assess the quality of your English. These skills directly impact your overall score. A weakness in one of them can lower your score across multiple communicative skills. For example, even if you speak fluently, poor pronunciation or a weak vocabulary can pull down your score significantly.

These scores are available on the Pearson’s website and are only for you! They are not shared to the schools or other institutions you apply to.

Example of breakdown of the enabling skills from the Pearson Test of English Academic
A breakdown of the enabling skills from the Pearson Test of English Academic

How are the PTE speaking sections graded by AI?

The spoken portion of the PTE is automatically scored by a speech processing system designed to analyze and rate the speech from a range of linguistic backgrounds. The system locates and evaluates relevant segments, syllables, and phrases based on context to assess the performance.

Key Components

  • Oral Fluency: Do you speak smoothly, without too many hesitations or pauses?
  • Pronunciation: Are your words sounding like those of a proficient speaker?
  • Content: Are you addressing the given task clearly and completely?

How are the PTE written sections graded by AI?

The written portion of the PTE is scored based on structure, coherence, vocabulary and grammar. Pearson uses their Intelligent Essay Assessor (IEA) to evaluate essays and short answers in the same way a human scorer would. It does so by comparing your responses to a large database of high-quality answers and analyzes the following features:

  • Content: Do you address the prompt accurately?
  • Organization: Is the flow of your argument logical?
  • Structure: Are your sentences correctly formulated and grammatically correct?
  • Vocabulary: Is your word choice appropriate and precise?

The AI doesn’t only look for errors. It evaluates how well you communicate and support your ideas. Therefore, proper paragraphing and clear arguments are essential for achieving a high score.

Common Misconceptions About AI Grading

The AI will not be able to understand my accent!

Fear not! Pearson’s AI has been trained on results from over 10,000 test takers, coming from over 158 different countries and speaking 126 different first languages. Your accent will therefore not have an impact on your scores!

AI scoring is unfair, inaccurate and biased!

Actually, AI scoring removes the human bias that traditional grading introduces. The AI does not get tired and does not take in consideration ethnicity. Therefore, its results are always consistent and objective.

I can cheat the AI by using complex and fancy vocabulary.

Not quite! A strong vocabulary does help boost your score. However, clarity and appropriateness matter more than complexity. It is therefore necessary that you learn how and where to use these complex words. Using Arno’s vocabulary builder for the PTE is a great tool to learn complex vocabulary, but more importantly how to use advanced words properly! Get started by taking our Vocabulary Assessment and identifying the words you need to learn.

Call to action to take Arno's free Vocabulary Assessment

Conclusion

Pearson uses an AI scoring system to ensure fair, consistent, and fast results. Understanding how it evaluates each of the skills and the hidden role enabling skills play can help you better prepare for the PTE.