Important PTE Scoring Changes : Do Not Skip These! (Update 2025)

Pearson is applying their new PTE scoring changes 2024 on November 4th. This is the part that PTE Magic has been hinting at for ages, and we still see many students miss the scores.

This article serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the recent changes in PTE scoring, ensuring you stay updated with the latest standards and requirements.

So, what are the new updates, and how do you prepare accordingly for your PTE exam? We reveal everything below.

• From November 4th, 2024, human experts will double-check the AI’s score on the Content aspect of the “Describe Image” and “Retell Lecture” tasks. PTE Academic scores are widely accepted by universities, colleges, and government agencies for admission and visa purposes, making acceptance policies crucial for test-takers.
• Aside from this, you’ll still do the test exactly as before, so don’t worry yourself too much. It’s important to confirm whether your chosen institution has adopted the new scoring benchmarks, as each institution may have different requirements. PTE Academic is recognised by a wide range of institutions and employers globally, further enhancing its credibility.
• PTE Magic’s templates have been carefully tested and refined based on what really works to score highly on the PTE.

PTE Academic Overview

The PTE Academic test is a leading computer-based English language proficiency exam designed for non-native English speakers who are aiming to study, work, or migrate internationally. Developed and administered by Pearson, the PTE Academic test is widely accepted by universities, colleges, and governments around the world, including the Australian Government for visa applications.

PTE test takers can expect a comprehensive assessment of their English language skills, with the test covering a range of question types such as multiple-choice, essay writing, and speaking tasks. The PTE Academic is recognized for its fair and objective scoring system, making it a trusted choice for academic institutions and employers globally. Whether you are applying for a university program, a skilled migration visa, or a professional role, the PTE Academic test provides a reliable measure of your English proficiency, ensuring you meet the requirements set by various institutions and governments.

The scoring process for two speaking tasks, “Describe Image” and “Retell Lecture,” is getting an upgrade. From November 4, 2024, human experts will double-check the AI’s score on the Content aspect of these responses. This change is part of the new PTE format, which brings important updates to how PTE scores are determined, especially for university admissions and visa requirements.

These two tasks are scored on three elements:

• Content (0–5 points)
• Oral Fluency (0–5 points)
• Pronunciation (0–5 points)

Currently, AI handles all three. But soon, the Content criterion will have an expert’s eye on it. Therefore, only genuine responses get a valid score. While the overall PTE format remains largely unchanged, the new PTE format emphasizes authentic English proficiency over memorized templates, which may affect your PTE score and its use for visa eligibility. No new question types are being introduced as part of this update; the structure of the test stays the same.

Aside from this, you’ll still do the test exactly as before, so don’t worry yourself too much.

An AI scoring system with a bit of human touch is simply the smart route to a fair assessment. Pearson states that they want to make sure that, at least for the “Describe Image” and “Retell Lecture” speaking tasks, a human examiner will now always take a look.

The purpose is to focus on spotting whether answers are genuine and using your own words, or if they’re more of a cut-and-paste job from a pre-prepared template.

Their systems are already set to spot templated responses. But now, a human examiner will give an extra review to make sure everything is as authentic as it should be for these two tasks. Pearson used data from previous test results to inform these changes, ensuring that updates are based on real performance trends. These updates are designed to maintain the quality and fairness of the assessment process. It is important for test takers to complete each task fully so their responses are accurately assessed under the new system.