Overview
- The regulator issued three penalties: £750,000 for GCSE English language 2.0, £505,000 for A level Chinese, and £750,000 for the PTE Academic Online test.
- Pearson failed to manage inconsistent grading between GCSE English and the newer GCSE English 2.0, leading to a 2024 realignment that produced correct but unexpectedly lower results for many students after 23,165 entries in 2023.
- Ofqual found multiple assessment design and marking flaws in A level Chinese across 2019, 2022 and 2023, affecting about 12,000 students and disproportionately disadvantaging non‑native Chinese speakers.
- Widespread malpractice in the at‑home PTE Academic Online route led Pearson to revoke 9,910 results and discontinue the online option, which had been used by roughly 5% of candidates.
- Ofqual published three Final Notices reflecting settlement agreements and noted mitigating factors, while stressing the fines aim to protect students and maintain confidence; Pearson has now been fined seven times by the regulator.