What does "Score Withheld" mean on my PTE?

"Score Withheld" is the status Pearson assigns when your test result has been flagged for manual review and is not yet released. It does not automatically mean Pearson thinks you cheated. It means an automated check (or a test centre report) has triggered a closer human look at your attempt. Common reasons include:

Biometric mismatch: the photo or signature taken on test day does not closely match your ID document or your previous test record.
Suspected impersonation or device irregularity: e.g. background voices picked up on your microphone, or unusual typing patterns.
Technical issue at the test centre: hardware fault during your test that may have affected scoring.
Random integrity audit: a small percentage of attempts are reviewed at random.

How long does the review take?

Pearson's published timeline is 1 to 4 weeks. In practice, biometric reviews resolve in 5–10 days; suspected-cheating investigations can take the full 4 weeks or longer. You will receive an email with the outcome.

What should I do?

Contact Pearson Customer Care with your registration ID and ask for a status update. Do not book a re-test until the review concludes — if the score is released, you will not need to. If the score is cancelled and a refund issued, you can rebook.

Still have questions? Contact our support team.