A Practical Guide to Group Study That Actually Boosts Your PTE Score

Feeling stuck studying for the PTE exam by yourself? It’s easy to lose motivation when you’re just staring at a screen day after day. You read the same passages, you listen to the same audio, and you wonder, “Am I even getting better?”

What if you could make studying more effective and even a little fun?

That’s where group study comes in. But we’re not talking about a simple chat session that wastes time. We’re talking about a focused, powerful way to sharpen your skills, find your weak spots, and build the confidence you need for exam day.

This guide will show you exactly how to do it right.

Why Group Study Works (When Done Right)

Studying with others offers unique advantages you just can’t get on your own.

• Accountability is Your Best Friend: It’s easy to skip a study session when no one is watching. But when you know your study partners are waiting, you show up. This simple commitment keeps you consistent.

• See Things in a New Way: You might struggle with a specific “Re-order Paragraphs” question. A study partner might see the logic instantly and explain it in a way that just clicks for you.

• Practice Speaking in Real-Time: The PTE Speaking section is tough to practice alone. With a group, you can get instant feedback on your pronunciation and fluency for tasks like Read Aloud and Describe Image.

• Catch Each Other’s Mistakes: You might not notice that you always use the same word in your essays. A friend can point it out, helping you improve your vocabulary score.

• Stay Motivated: Preparing for an exam can be lonely. Sharing the journey with others who understand your goals makes the entire process less stressful and more encouraging.

How to Find Your PTE Study Team

Okay, so where do you find these magical study partners? You don’t need a huge group. Two to four dedicated people is perfect.

• Based on the information you provide, such as exam date, goals, and exam center, we recommend a group that fits you in the Suggested Groups section on the Group Study homepage.

• You can also find a group by searching with a group number or keyword, such as 79+, July, Melbourne October Target 79, etc.

• To join a group, click the Join Group button at the bottom of the Group Details page. Note that groups with 10 members or those set to “No one can join” by the leader are unavailable.

What makes a good study partner? Look for someone who has similar goals (e.g., you both want to score 79+), is available at similar times, and is committed to putting in the work.

The Blueprint for a Perfect PTE Group Study Session

This is the most important part. A study session without a plan is just a conversation. To make your time count, you need structure.

Step 1: Set a Clear Goal for Each Session (60-90 minutes is ideal)

Don’t just say “let’s study.” Be specific.

• Bad Goal: “Let’s do some Speaking practice.”
• Good Goal: “Today, we will each complete five Describe Image questions. One person will speak while the others time them and give feedback on fluency and structure.”

Step 2: Assign Roles

For each session, give everyone a job:

• The Timekeeper: Makes sure you stick to the schedule and don’t spend too much time on one question.
• The Task Master: Keeps everyone focused on the session’s goal and prevents off-topic chats.
• The Note Taker: Quickly writes down common mistakes or useful tips that come up during the session.

Step 3: Structure Your Practice by PTE Module

Here are real, actionable ideas for each section of the exam.

For the Speaking Section:

• Read Aloud: Take turns reading a passage. The other members should listen carefully for pronunciation errors, pauses, and intonation. Give constructive feedback.
• Repeat Sentence: One person plays an audio clip from a practice test. The others try to repeat it. Did everyone catch the sentence correctly?
• Describe Image / Retell Lecture: This is where group study is most powerful. One person speaks for the full time. The others listen and provide feedback: Did you use a good template? Was your speech clear? Did you cover the key points?

Ready to test your speaking skills? Try our free Speaking practice questions and see where you stand.

For the Writing Section:

• Summarize Written Text: Everyone reads the same passage and writes their one-sentence summary. Then, compare your sentences. Did someone else use better vocabulary or a clearer structure?
• Write Essay: Choose one essay topic. Everyone spends 20 minutes writing their essay. Then, spend 10 minutes reading each other’s work. Check for grammar, spelling, and structure. This is much more effective than checking your own work.

Want to improve your writing? Check out our proven PTE Essay Writing Template to help structure your response.

For the Reading Section:

• Fill in the Blanks: Do a set of questions individually first. Then, discuss the answers as a group. Pay special attention to questions where people chose different answers. Why did they choose that word? This helps you understand grammar and collocation rules better.
• Re-order Paragraphs: These are perfect for group discussion. Work together to find the topic sentence and the logical links between the paragraphs.

For the Listening Section:

• Summarize Spoken Text: Play a lecture. Everyone takes notes. Then, compare your notes before writing the summary. Did your partner catch a key point that you missed?
• Write From Dictation: This is simple but very effective. One person reads a sentence from a WFD practice list. The others write it down. Compare your sentences word for word. Did you miss any plural ‘s’ or small words?

Tools You Can Use

You don’t need fancy software. Simple tools work best.

• Zoom or Google Meet: For video calls so you can see and hear each other clearly.
• Google Docs: Create a shared document to write essays or take notes together in real-time.
• WhatsApp/Telegram: Perfect for quick communication, sharing resources, and setting up meeting times.
• An Online Timer: Use a timer to keep your practice for each question realistic, just like in the real exam.

How to create a group in OnePTE

Click the New Group button on the Group Study homepage to create your own group. By default, you will become the group leader.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How many people should be in a PTE study group?
The ideal size is 2 to 4 people. A smaller group ensures that everyone gets a chance to speak and participate actively. It’s also much easier to schedule a time that works for everyone.

2. What if my English level is lower or higher than others in the group?
This can actually be a big advantage. If your level is higher, explaining concepts to others is one of the best ways to master them yourself. If your level is a bit lower, you get to learn directly from your peers in a supportive way. The key is to find people who are all equally serious about studying.

3. How do we stop our study sessions from turning into just a chat?
The best way is to follow the blueprint in this guide. Set a clear, specific goal before the session starts. Assign roles like a “Timekeeper” and “Task Master” to keep everyone focused. Agree that the first 60 minutes are for focused study, and you can chat freely after.

4. How often should our group meet?
Consistency is more important than length. Aim for two or three focused sessions of 60-90 minutes per week. This is much more effective than one long, tiring session on the weekend.

More FAQs

I am a group member

5. How many groups can I be in simultaneously?

You can be in at most 3 groups.

6. How can I communicate with my group members?

Click the Enter Group Forum button at the bottom of the My Group page.

7. How can I remind my group members?

Check a group member’s practice data on the My Group page and click the Remind button for them.

8. What is the group number for?

Each group has a unique group number, which can be used to search for the group and shared on other platforms and forums to attract more members.

I am a group leader

9. What does a group leader do?

a) Remind and encourage members who are not working hard according to daily practice data.

b) Name or rename the group and provide group information, such as goals, daily practice plans, punishments, etc.

c) Manage the group by removing inactive members and setting participation criteria.

10. How can I modify group information and manage members?

Enter the Group Settings page by clicking the Settings button at the upper right corner of the My Group page.

11. How many groups can I create simultaneously?

You can create just one group.

Your Next Step

Group study can be the difference between feeling stuck and feeling confident. It provides structure, feedback, and the motivation to keep going.

But theory is one thing, and practice is another.

Your challenge for this week is to find at least one study partner and schedule your first session. Use the blueprint in this guide to structure your meeting.

And when you’re ready to test your progress, there’s no better way than taking a full-length mock test.

Sign up at onepte.com today and take your first PTE mock test for free. See your score, identify your weak areas, and use that information to make your next group study session even more effective.

If you have any other issues, please let us know.