Pearson fined two million pounds for exam failings and security breaches by Ofqual

Pearson, one of the largest education companies in the world, has been fined £2 million by Ofqual, the British qualifications regulator, for significant breaches of standards in its assessment services. The fine relates to failures identified in three instances between 2019 and 2023, impacting students taking GCSE and A-level examinations, as well as international candidates for English proficiency assessments.

Ofqual found that Pearson administered inconsistent grading for GCSE English re-sits and set unfair or inadequately marked questions in A-level Chinese. In a separate incident, the company permitted approximately 10,000 international students to complete online English proficiency tests at home, without suitable security or invigilation, which enabled widespread cheating. Five per cent of participants managed to bypass identity verification, allowing others to sit exams on their behalf. That online test format has since been discontinued.

This latest penalty represents the seventh occasion that Ofqual has fined Pearson, with a previous £1.2 million fine levied in 2022 due to poor exam marking between 2016 and 2019. Assessment activities continue to dominate Pearson’s business, with the firm generating £1.59 billion from exams and qualifications last year, making up nearly half of total group revenues of £3.5 billion. According to its latest annual report, Pearson identifies itself as a key leader in global education standards and student outcomes.

Art Valentine, president of Pearson’s qualifications division, described assessment as the central function at Pearson, linking all areas of its education services. Amanda Swann, Ofqual’s executive director for delivery, stated that the £2 million fine is intended to serve as a warning to all providers, reinforcing the need to protect both the interests of students and public confidence within the wider qualifications system. She emphasised the importance of accurate and fair grading, adding that exam results must consistently reflect student performance. Swann also insisted that assessment integrity must be guaranteed, with work submitted by students being entirely their own.

Pearson expressed regret for the failings, acknowledging that its actions fell short of both regulatory requirements and the high standards expected by educators and learners. The company has pledged to strengthen review processes and implement robust improvements, following extensive internal investigations. It also maintains that reforms have addressed the specific issues identified by Ofqual.

Pearson, originating as a construction enterprise in the nineteenth century, later diversified into publishing, finance, and media. The firm divested its stake in the Financial Times in 2015 to accelerate a strategic shift towards education. Technology investment has fuelled Pearson’s growth in digital and AI-driven products, with diversification into professional assessments and qualifications. Despite significant share price growth in 2022, Pearson’s value has declined more than 18 per cent over the past year. The company’s current chief executive, Omar Abbosh, joined from Microsoft last year, signalling continuing commitment to technological innovation across education markets.