PTE Reorder Paragraphs: Step-by-Step Strategy

Reorder Paragraphs uses a partial credit scoring model based on adjacent pairs. For a passage with five paragraphs (labeled A through E in the correct order), the scoring looks at four adjacent pairs: A-B, B-C, C-D, and D-E. You receive one point for each correctly ordered adjacent pair in your response. This means you can earn partial credit even if your overall order is not perfect. For example, if the correct order is A-B-C-D-E and your answer is A-B-D-C-E, you get credit for the pair A-B and the pair (nothing else matches). Understanding this scoring system is strategically important: it means that getting the first paragraph right is particularly valuable because it establishes the starting point for the first adjacent pair. It also means that adjacent accuracy matters more than overall sequence — even if you are unsure about the complete order, getting two or three consecutive paragraphs in the right sequence earns you meaningful points.

Reorder Paragraphs is challenging for several reasons. First, it requires holistic text comprehension rather than sentence-level understanding. You must see the big picture of how an argument or narrative develops. Second, the random initial order can be disorienting — your brain naturally tries to make sense of whichever paragraph it reads first, which can create false assumptions about the text's starting point. Third, the paragraphs are often designed with subtle rather than obvious connections. Unlike simple chronological texts where time words (first, then, next, finally) guide the order, academic passages may rely on logical progression of ideas, building from general to specific, or developing from cause to effect. Recognizing these organizational patterns requires significant reading experience. Finally, time pressure adds difficulty — you need to read and mentally organize four to five paragraphs within a few minutes, leaving little room for extensive deliberation.

The most important step is finding the paragraph that starts the passage. The opening paragraph has several distinguishing characteristics. It introduces a topic without referring back to previously stated information. It does not begin with pronouns like 'this,' 'these,' 'they,' 'it,' or 'such' that reference something already mentioned. It does not start with linking words that indicate continuation (however, furthermore, moreover, consequently, therefore, additionally) because there is nothing to continue from. The opening paragraph typically makes a general statement, poses a question, defines a concept, or sets up a topic for discussion. It often contains proper nouns or full names being mentioned for the first time (subsequent paragraphs may use shortened forms or pronouns). Look for the paragraph that can stand alone as a logical starting point — it should make sense without requiring any prior context. Read each paragraph and ask: 'Could this be the first thing a reader encounters in this text?' If the answer requires knowing something not stated in the paragraph, it is probably not the opener. Once you identify the opening paragraph with confidence, place it first. This is your anchor point. Getting the first paragraph right is statistically the most important step because it sets up the first adjacent pair and provides context for identifying the second paragraph.

After placing the opening paragraph, look for explicit connections between the remaining paragraphs. These linking clues come in several forms. Pronoun references are among the strongest: if a paragraph begins with 'This approach' or 'These findings,' the preceding paragraph must mention an approach or findings. Definite articles followed by nouns that have not been introduced ('The experiment' or 'The researchers') indicate that the preceding paragraph introduced that experiment or those researchers. Logical connectors also reveal order. A paragraph starting with 'However' or 'On the other hand' must follow a paragraph presenting the opposite view. A paragraph beginning with 'As a result' or 'Consequently' must follow a paragraph describing a cause. 'Furthermore' and 'In addition' signal continuation of a list or argument, meaning the preceding paragraph introduced the first point. By cataloging these clues across all paragraphs before arranging them, you create a map of which paragraphs must come before or after others. Vocabulary chains are another powerful clue. When a word or concept is first mentioned using its full name and then referred to by an abbreviation, synonym, or pronoun in a later paragraph, the full-name paragraph must come first. For example, if one paragraph mentions 'the European Union' and another refers to 'the EU' or 'the organization,' the full-name paragraph precedes the abbreviated one.

Using the clues identified in Step 2, begin building the sequence from your opening paragraph. Place the paragraph with the strongest connection to the opener as the second paragraph. Then find the paragraph that best follows the second one, and continue until all paragraphs are placed. If you find two paragraphs that both seem to follow a particular paragraph, try both arrangements and see which produces a more coherent overall text. After completing your arrangement, read the entire passage from beginning to end. It should flow smoothly as a single coherent text. Check that each paragraph transitions naturally into the next. Check that all pronoun references point to clearly identified antecedents. Check that the logical progression makes sense — general to specific, cause to effect, problem to solution, or chronological order. If anything feels jarring or disconnected, reconsider the placement of the paragraph that breaks the flow. Finally, verify your conclusion paragraph. Just as the opening paragraph has distinctive features, the closing paragraph typically summarizes, draws a conclusion, makes a prediction, or offers a final assessment. It should not introduce new concepts that would require further development. If your last paragraph seems to open a new line of discussion rather than close one, it is probably misplaced.

Reference words are your most reliable clues. Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives (this, that, these, those) always point back to something previously mentioned. If a paragraph begins with 'This phenomenon,' the previous paragraph must describe a specific phenomenon. If it says 'These studies,' the preceding paragraph must mention multiple studies. The specificity of the reference helps you narrow down which paragraph must come before. Definite articles ('the') before nouns that have not been introduced in that paragraph indicate prior mention. 'The government' assumes the reader already knows which government is being discussed — so a paragraph mentioning 'the government' must follow one that establishes which government. Conversely, indefinite articles ('a,' 'an') before nouns often indicate first mention, helping you identify earlier paragraphs in the sequence. This understanding of the article system in English is valuable not only for Reorder Paragraphs but also for Reading Fill in the Blanks, as discussed in our R-FIB strategy guide.

Transition words and phrases reveal the logical relationship between paragraphs. Words indicating sequence (first, second, then, next, finally, subsequently) establish chronological or procedural order. Words indicating cause and effect (because, therefore, as a result, consequently, thus) show that one paragraph describes a cause and the next describes its effect. Contrast words (however, nevertheless, on the other hand, despite this, conversely) indicate that a paragraph presents an opposing view to the one before it. Chronological signals go beyond explicit sequence words. Dates, time references, and tense shifts can indicate order. A paragraph discussing events in the 1990s should come before one discussing the 2000s. A paragraph in the past tense describing background information typically comes before one in the present tense describing current implications. These temporal clues are especially helpful in passages that describe historical developments, scientific discoveries, or policy changes over time.

Academic texts follow predictable organizational patterns that can guide your paragraph ordering. The most common pattern is general-to-specific: the passage begins with a broad statement or overview and then provides increasingly specific details, examples, or evidence. If one paragraph makes a general claim and another provides a specific example supporting that claim, the general paragraph comes first. Another common pattern is problem-solution: the passage first describes a problem and then discusses solutions or responses. A third pattern is compare-contrast: the passage describes one perspective and then an alternative perspective. Recognizing which pattern a passage follows helps you establish the overall framework into which individual paragraphs fit. This discourse-level reading skill develops through extensive reading of academic and journalistic texts, which is why daily reading practice is so important for PTE preparation. Understanding these patterns also helps you identify the conclusion paragraph. In a general-to-specific passage, the conclusion might summarize the specific details. In a problem-solution passage, the conclusion might evaluate the effectiveness of the solutions discussed. In a compare-contrast passage, it might state which perspective the author finds more convincing. Recognizing the conclusion helps you verify your final arrangement.

The best background preparation for Reorder Paragraphs is reading well-organized academic and journalistic texts with attention to their structure. As you read, actively identify how each paragraph connects to the ones before and after it. Notice the linking words, pronoun references, and logical progression that create coherence. Ask yourself: 'Why does this paragraph come here? What would be lost if it were moved to a different position?' You can also create your own practice exercises by taking well-written articles, cutting them into paragraphs, shuffling the order, and trying to reconstruct the original. This exercise builds the exact skill tested in PTE Reorder Paragraphs and has the advantage of being available whenever you have access to any English text. Start with shorter texts (three to four paragraphs) and progress to longer ones (five to six paragraphs) as your skill improves.

Practice under timed conditions to develop the speed needed for the actual exam. In the PTE, you have approximately two to three minutes per Reorder Paragraphs item. Set a timer and practice completing items within this window. If you consistently run over time, focus on speeding up your identification of the opening paragraph and key linking clues — these are the high-leverage skills that make the biggest difference. The GoPTE platform offers Reorder Paragraphs practice with authentic exam-style passages and an interface that mirrors the actual test. Practicing with the correct interface helps you build familiarity with the drag-and-drop mechanics so that you do not waste time on exam day figuring out how the interface works. Aim to practice at least five Reorder Paragraphs items per study session, reviewing your errors carefully to understand why you placed paragraphs in the wrong position.

When you get a Reorder Paragraphs question wrong, do not just look at the correct answer and move on. Go back and identify the clues you missed. Was there a pronoun reference you overlooked? A transition word you did not recognize? A topic development pattern you failed to identify? Understanding why you made a mistake is far more valuable than simply knowing the correct answer. Keep a list of the specific clue types that you tend to miss. If you frequently overlook demonstrative references (this, these, that, those), practice scanning paragraphs specifically for these words and identifying their antecedents. If you struggle with logical connectors, create flashcards of transition words grouped by function (addition, contrast, cause-effect, sequence) and drill until you recognize them instantly. Integrating Reorder Paragraphs practice with your broader PTE preparation ensures that you develop well-rounded reading skills. The logical reasoning and discourse analysis skills that help with Reorder Paragraphs also benefit your performance on other reading tasks. For a comprehensive view of how all question types fit together and how to allocate your study time effectively, consult our PTE exam format guide which maps each task to its scoring contributions and helps you prioritize your preparation strategically.