PTE Academic · Task guide 15 · 3 min read
PTE Re-order Paragraphs: format, scoring and tips
PTE Academic Re-order Paragraphs explained: drag text boxes into order, scoring by adjacent pairs, clues to use and a routine.
What you see and do
Several text boxes, usually four or five, appear in random order on the left of the screen. Each box holds a sentence or short paragraph. You drag them into the right-hand panel, or use the arrow buttons, to put them in the order that makes a logical, connected text.
Timing
There is no separate timer for this item. It shares the Reading part timer, about 30 minutes in total. Allow about two to three minutes per item.
How it is scored
Re-order Paragraphs counts towards Reading.
It uses partial credit, scored by adjacent pairs: you earn one mark for every pair of boxes that sit next to each other in the correct order. Your sequence does not have to be perfect to score.
| Correct order | Your order | Correct adjacent pairs | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A–B–C–D | A–B–C–D | A–B, B–C, C–D | 3 |
| A–B–C–D | B–C–D–A | B–C, C–D | 2 |
| A–B–C–D | A–C–B–D | none | 0 |
This is why it pays to get linked pairs right, even if you are unsure of the whole order.
Clues that link sentences
| Clue | Example | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Pronouns | "It was…", "They argued…" | Something earlier must name "it" or "they" |
| Articles | "the survey" after "a survey" | The first mention comes first |
| Linkers | "However", "As a result", "Finally" | The sentence responds to one before it |
| Time markers | "In 1990…", "Ten years later…" | Chronological order |
| General to specific | A broad statement, then an example | Topic sentence usually comes first |
Common mistakes
- Starting with a sentence that begins "This", "However" or "He". These almost never open a text.
- Ignoring "the" versus "a". Something introduced with "a" usually comes before the same thing with "the".
- Moving every box around repeatedly. Fix the pairs you are sure of first, then place the rest.
- Spending too long. If two boxes are unclear, choose the more logical option and move on.
A short routine
- Find the opening sentence. It is usually general, introduces the topic and does not depend on anything before it.
- Find clear pairs using pronouns, articles, linkers and time words.
- Place the pairs in the right panel, then fit any remaining box.
- Read the whole text from top to bottom to check that it flows.
Exam tip: write the box letters on your noteboard and draw arrows between those that must go together. Two or three sure pairs usually reveal the full order.
Illustrative example
These sentences were written for Fable Tests. They are not taken from any official material.
Jumbled boxes:
- A. As a result, its population fell sharply during the twentieth century.
- B. The hedgehog was once a common sight in British gardens.
- C. Volunteers are now trying to reverse this decline by creating small gaps in garden fences.
- D. However, new roads and tidier gardens reduced the places where it could feed and shelter.
Reasoning:
- B opens the text: it introduces the hedgehog with no earlier reference.
- D follows with "However" and "it", contrasting with the past and referring back to the hedgehog.
- A gives the result ("As a result") of the loss of habitat.
- C refers to "this decline", which must come after the fall in population.
Correct order: B–D–A–C
Key points
- You drag boxes into a logical order.
- It counts towards Reading.
- You score one mark per correct adjacent pair.
- Find the opening sentence, then build sure pairs using pronouns, articles, linkers and time words.
- Keep an eye on the shared Reading timer.
For the official current format, see pearsonpte.com. More guides are on the PTE hub.