The short answer
Versant scores you from 10 to 90 on Pearson's Global Scale of English (GSE). Pearson's own GSE and CEFR chart puts B1 at 43 to 58, B2 at 59 to 75 and C1 at 76 to 84. So a 47 is B1, a 60 is low B2 and a 70 is solid B2. Pearson sets no pass mark: each employer sets its own minimum, and no test owner or employer page we could read publishes a BPO cut-off. SVAR (SHL) is built on CEFR-aligned data but SHL does not publish its report scale. Harver reports a percentile with IELTS and CEFR references. Berlitz publishes no scale. If your score is low, the fastest gain is almost always in the lowest sub-score, not the overall.
Below: Pearson's band table with the can-do statements from the same chart, what is on a Versant report, worked readings of common scores, how the other three tests report, the truth about cut-offs, and a plan for a low score. If you have not taken your test yet, the practice bank is the better place to start. The BPO English tests hub has the overview.
The GSE 10 to 90 scale and CEFR bands, from Pearson's chart
Pearson's GSE vs CEFR comparison chart (PDF) draws the CEFR bands on the 10 to 90 ruler. We read the band edges from that chart on 21 October 2026. The chart also prints example can-do statements at points on the scale; the speaking and listening ones below are quoted from it, with the GSE value Pearson attaches to each.
| CEFR band | GSE range (Pearson chart) | Speaking, from the chart | Listening, from the chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below A1 | 10 to 21 | 12: can greet people using a few basic fixed expressions | 13: can recognise simple formal greetings |
| A1 | 22 to 29 | 24: can ask for a drink or food in a limited way | 27: can understand a phone number from a recorded message |
| A2 (A2+ in the upper part) | 30 to 42 | 31: can make and accept a simple apology; 36: can ask and talk about very basic symptoms and ailments | 30: can recognise phrases and content words related to basic personal and family information; 39: can generally identify the topic of discussion around them when conducted slowly and clearly |
| B1 (B1+ in the upper part) | 43 to 58 | 50: can give simple reasons to justify a viewpoint on a familiar topic; 54: can leave phone messages containing detailed information | 44: can follow everyday conversation, with some repetition of particular words and phrases; 58: can understand a large part of many TV programmes on familiar topics |
| B2 (B2+ in the upper part) | 59 to 75 | 66: can develop an argument well enough to be followed without difficulty most of the time; 72: can carry out an effective, fluent interview, spontaneously following up on interesting replies | 66: can recognise the tone and intended audience of a formal presentation; 74: can follow an animated conversation between two fluent speakers |
| C1 | 76 to 84 | 76: can contribute to group discussions even when speech is fast and colloquial | 78: can understand the intended double meaning of a word used in a joke |
| C2 | 85 to 90 | 87: can convey finer shades of meaning precisely by accurately using a wide range of modification devices | 88: can understand in detail discussions on abstract and complex topics among speakers with a variety of accents and dialects |
Two notes on reading the chart. First, it marks a plus level inside A2, B1 and B2 but does not draw an edge for it, so we do not give plus-level numbers. Second, the can-do statements are Pearson's learning objectives for general English, placed on the scale; they describe what a learner at that point can typically do, not what a test item asked. For a plain-English guide to the six levels themselves, see our CEFR levels glossary.
What is on a Versant score report
Which report you see depends on which Versant test you took (the comparison page explains the two).
| Versant English Test | Versant Speaking and Listening Test | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall score, 10 to 90 on the GSE | Overall Ability, based on a combination of Speaking and Listening |
| Parts of the score | Sub-skill scores, 10 to 90: Fluency, Pronunciation, Vocabulary, Sentence Mastery | Speaking, Listening, Manner of Speaking |
| Scale | Global Scale of English | Global Scale of English and CEFR |
| When | Within minutes (practice test, per the store) | Usually within minutes, per Pearson's preparation page |
| Source | Pearson India store | Official guide, 2024 (PDF) |
Pearson's 2024 guide defines the newer test's skills in useful terms. Speaking reflects using grammar and expressions accurately and appropriately, with English pronunciation norms and conversational fluency. Listening reflects understanding specific details and main ideas in everyday and workplace speech at a conversational pace. Manner of Speaking reflects speaking in a way that proficient English speakers easily understand: sounds close to typical norms, a normal conversational pace, and not too much hesitation or unusual pausing. That last one is about pace and clarity rather than knowledge, which makes it the most practical one to work on in a week.
Two practical points. The guide says score reports "may be shared with you by the test administrator", so when an employer books the test, they decide whether you see it. And if you have a Test Identification Number, Pearson's score lookup page returns the report for it.
Reading your number: 35, 47, 55, 60 and 70
These readings are ours. The bands and the quoted can-do statements are from Pearson's chart; what each score means for a voice job is our judgement, labelled as such, because no test owner links scores to specific BPO roles.
| Score | Band on Pearson's chart | Nearest can-do statements on the chart | Our reading for a voice role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | A2 (30 to 42) | Speaking 31: make and accept a simple apology; speaking 36: talk about very basic symptoms | Survival English. A live customer call would be very hard. Start with the repeat and short-answer drills and build up. |
| 47 | B1 (43 to 58) | Listening 44: follow everyday conversation with some repetition; speaking 50: give simple reasons for a viewpoint | Can handle simple, predictable exchanges, but will ask callers to repeat. Work on listening speed and on keeping pace when speaking. |
| 55 | B1, upper part (B1+ zone) | Speaking 54: leave phone messages containing detailed information | Close to the B2 line. Routine calls are manageable; long explanations and upset callers are the stretch. |
| 60 | B2 (59 to 75) | Listening 58: understand a large part of many TV programmes on familiar topics; speaking 66: develop an argument that can be followed without difficulty | Comfortable on routine calls; explanations hold together. Sub-scores now matter more than the overall. |
| 70 | B2, upper part (B2+ zone) | Speaking 72: carry out an effective, fluent interview, following up on replies; listening 74: follow an animated conversation between two fluent speakers | Handles fast speakers and unplanned follow-ups. Above this, gains come from range and nuance. |
Worked example: an uneven report (TalkDrill)
Say a report shows Overall 56, Vocabulary 61, Sentence Mastery 58, Fluency 52 and Pronunciation 49. The overall is upper B1, but the two delivery scores are the drag. A week of grammar study would barely move this report. A week of timed read-aloud and repeat work, with recordings checked for pace, pauses and the sounds that change meaning, targets exactly the two low numbers. The same logic works on the newer test: if Manner of Speaking trails Speaking and Listening, practise delivery first.
How SVAR, Harver and Berlitz report results
| Test | What the owner publishes about the result | What it does not publish |
|---|---|---|
| SVAR (SHL) | AI-powered, automated scoring and "a clear report showing performance across key language metrics"; developed using CEFR-aligned data rated by CEFR experts; scores pronunciation and fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and grammar | The scale on the report, how CEFR levels are assigned, any cut-off |
| Harver | Percentile scoring, plus reporting in IELTS and CEFR terms; validated using official IELTS examiners; measures speaking rate, pauses and hesitations, cadence and pitch | The comparison group behind the percentile; how its IELTS reference maps to band scores; any cut-off |
| Berlitz (Philippines) | Results within two business days | Any scale, levels or cut-off |
Sources: SHL SVAR, Harver Spoken Language Assessment, Berlitz Philippines testing, read 21 October 2026.
SVAR and "B2"
People search "svar score b2", so employers and candidates clearly talk about SVAR results in CEFR terms. SHL's page supports the CEFR link (the test was built on CEFR-aligned data) but does not show the report. Treat a "B2" requirement as a description of the level: an upper-intermediate speaker who can explain and argue clearly. Do not convert it to a Versant number; the two tests are not equated by either owner. Our SVAR questions and answers guide has the formats.
Harver percentiles
A percentile is relative, not absolute. The 70th percentile means you scored higher than about 70 per cent of the comparison group, whoever that is. Two consequences: your percentile can change if the group changes, and a percentile tells you nothing about which skill to fix. Because Harver measures delivery, a low result almost always points to pace, pauses, or a flat or uneven pitch. The Harver page has section-by-section drills.
Berlitz levels
Berlitz Philippines publishes no level scale on its testing page. Searches such as "berlitz level 7 call center" show that levels are discussed, but we cannot verify what any level means or which one an account needs. The Berlitz test page covers the format and practice conversations.
BPO cut-offs: what is known and what is not
No official BPO cut-off exists. Pearson, SHL, Harver and Berlitz sell the test; the employer sets the minimum. It can differ by account (a US telecom account and an Australian bank account at the same company may want different levels), by role (voice against non-voice), and it can change over time. None of the four owners, and no employer page we could read, publishes a number.
What about the numbers candidates share? Forum threads, including on r/BPOinPH, discuss scores and claimed minimums. No employer or test owner confirms any of them, so we do not print them as cut-offs. Treat any number in a forum or a video with care: it may have been true for one account, at one site, in one month.
Here is what you can do instead.
| What the recruiter or job post says | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum Versant score | A GSE score; read it against Pearson's chart above | Aim a few points above it, so a weaker day still clears it |
| "B2" or "upper intermediate" | CEFR B2; Pearson's chart places B2 at 59 to 75 on the GSE | On Versant, 59 is the bottom of B2; aim inside the band, not on the edge |
| "B1" or "intermediate" | CEFR B1; 43 to 58 on Pearson's chart | Ask whether it applies to the exact role and account you applied for |
| An IELTS band | Pearson's chart does not map IELTS, and Harver's IELTS reference is its own | Ask what it means for this test; do not convert it yourself |
| "You need to pass the English test" | The minimum exists but was not shared | Ask: "Is there a minimum score or level for this account?" |
For whether you can retake, what it costs and how results reach the employer, see fees, booking and results.
What to do with a low score
A low score is information, not a verdict. Five steps:
- Get the full report. Use your Test Identification Number on Pearson's score lookup page, or ask the recruiter for the report. The overall alone hides where you lost points.
- Find the lowest part. Compare the sub-scores (Fluency, Pronunciation, Vocabulary, Sentence Mastery) or the skills (Speaking, Listening, Manner of Speaking). The lowest is your plan.
- Practise that part, out loud, timed. Use the table below.
- Check the retake route. Pearson's test-taker preparation page says the test administrator decides whether another test can be issued, and no retake waiting period is published on the pages we read; ask the recruiter how soon you may sit again. If you buy Pearson's practice test, remember the store says it is a fixed form (the same questions every time) and all sales are final, so do not use it twice to measure progress.
- Re-test yourself on fresh material. Use a mock from our bank you have not seen, record it, and compare with your first recording.
| Low part of the report | What usually causes it (our judgement) | Practise |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation, or Manner of Speaking | Sounds that change meaning (f and p, v and w, th, long and short vowels), wrong word stress, dropped final consonants | Read-aloud items r01, r05, r08, r10 in the practice bank; Read Aloud for a word-by-word score |
| Fluency | Long pauses, restarts, reading word by word, starting late | Paragraph reads r03 and r07; all repeat items with the 6-second start rule |
| Sentence Mastery, grammar | Dropped -s and -ed, tense errors under time pressure, word order | Sentence builds b01 to b07 and sb08 to sb15; repeats p06 and p10 |
| Vocabulary | Talking around words; a narrow range in open answers | Short answers; open questions o01 to o10 with a new word each time |
| Listening | Missing time words, numbers and changes of plan | Short-answer items s03, s05, s08; retells t01 to t07 |
Your first language shapes which of these you lose. Tagalog and Bisaya speakers tend to lose different sounds from Hindi, Telugu or Tamil speakers, and our mistakes by first language page lists them with drills. Then follow the 7-day plan, which rotates the right items day by day and puts a full mock on day 6. For a quick, free level check before you start, try the English level test.
One line to remember
The overall score tells the employer whether you passed; the sub-scores tell you what to fix. Read them, fix the lowest one first, and ask the recruiter for the real minimum instead of trusting a number from a forum.