Score benchmarks & guide
Everything you need to interpret your result — the GSE scale, CEFR mapping, employer requirements, sub-skill weighting and typing benchmarks.
GSE proficiency bands
The Pearson Global Scale of English runs from 10 to 90 and maps directly to CEFR levels.
| GSE Range | CEFR | Level | Description | Typical WPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–34 | A1–A2 | Foundation | Can handle very short, predictable workplace messages with frequent errors. Suitable for closely supervised tasks only. | < 25 WPM |
| 35–44 | B1 | Developing | Can write straightforward connected text on familiar topics. Communicates the main point but with noticeable grammar and vocabulary gaps. | 25–34 WPM |
| 45–54 | B2 | Independent | Can produce clear, detailed text on a range of work subjects. Errors rarely impede understanding. Suitable for most customer-facing roles. | 35–44 WPM |
| 55–64 | B2+ | Proficient | Writes fluently and accurately, adapting tone to the audience. Handles complaints, escalations and reports with confidence. | 45–54 WPM |
| 65–74 | C1 | Advanced | Writes well-structured, nuanced text on complex subjects. Strong control of register, cohesion and professional vocabulary. | 55–64 WPM |
| 75–90 | C1–C2 | Expert | Near-native written command. Produces precise, sophisticated and persuasive business writing across any workplace situation. | 65+ WPM |
Employer role requirements
Typical minimum GSE writing scores employers expect for common roles.
| Role | Category | Min GSE | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Entry / Back Office | Operations | 40 | Handles structured forms and simple internal notes. |
| BPO Voice Agent | Customer Service | 45 | Live chat wrap-ups and short customer emails. |
| Email / Chat Support Agent | Customer Service | 48 | Independent written customer responses all day. |
| Technical Support Specialist | Customer Service | 52 | Explains technical steps clearly to non-experts. |
| Sales Development Rep | Sales | 54 | Persuasive outreach and follow-up emails. |
| Team Supervisor | Management | 58 | Coaching notes, escalations and shift handovers. |
| Account Manager | Sales | 60 | Client-facing proposals and relationship emails. |
| Operations Manager | Management | 62 | Policies, reports and cross-team communication. |
| HR Business Partner | People | 63 | Sensitive, precise written communication. |
| Legal / Compliance Associate | Specialist | 65 | Exacting, unambiguous professional writing. |
| Marketing / Content Lead | Specialist | 68 | Polished, audience-aware persuasive copy. |
| Senior Manager / Director | Leadership | 72 | Executive-level reports and strategic memos. |
Sub-skill weighting
How the five written sub-skills contribute to your overall writing assessment.
25%
Grammar
Sentence structure, tense, agreement and punctuation accuracy.
20%
Vocabulary
Range, precision and appropriateness of word choice.
20%
Organisation
Logical flow, cohesion and paragraph structure.
20%
Voice & Tone
Professional register matched to the audience and purpose.
15%
Reading
Comprehension — how completely the response addresses the brief.
Typing speed benchmarks
Words-per-minute ranges and what they signal to employers.
60+ WPM
45–59 WPM
30–44 WPM
Below 30 WPM
Improvement tips
Practical ways to push your score into the next band.
Build typing stamina
Practise touch-typing daily. Accuracy matters more than raw speed — a steady 45 WPM with 98% accuracy beats a frantic 70 WPM riddled with errors.
Read professional English
Read business emails, reports and news every day. Exposure builds the vocabulary and sentence patterns the test rewards.
Master the blanks
For sentence completion, learn common collocations (e.g. 'come into effect', 'attend to a matter'). The right word usually 'sounds' natural.
Cover every key point
In reconstruction and summary tasks, examiners reward coverage. Quickly note the main ideas first, then write — don't get lost in one detail.
Match the tone
Professional emails are courteous, concise and clear. Open and close politely, state your purpose early, and keep paragraphs short.
Review before submitting
Always leave 30 seconds to re-read. Most lost marks come from avoidable grammar and punctuation slips, not vocabulary gaps.