Peer Study: Should You Study with Friends?

CL Team August 19 2025

4 min read

The Pros, Cons, and Smart Strategies For CAT, CLAT, CUET, IPMAT | Career Launcher South Ex

Introduction

Preparing for competitive entrance exams like CAT, CLAT, CUET, and IPMAT is a demanding journey. It requires long hours of focused study, constant revision, and the discipline to stay on track even when motivation dips. While self-study forms the backbone of preparation, many aspirants often wonder: Should I study with friends?

The idea of peer study sounds attractive. Studying with friends can make the process less lonely, provide a support system, and even add a healthy sense of competition. But there’s also the risk that “study groups” may turn into chit-chat sessions or distractions.

At Career Launcher South Ex, we’ve seen both sides of the story. For some aspirants, peer study accelerates learning. For others, it slows them down. The difference lies in how you structure your group learning sessions.

This blog explores the pros, cons, strategies, and practical tips for making peer study a powerful tool instead of a productivity trap.

Why Peer Study Appeals to Aspirants

Before diving into its effectiveness, it’s important to understand why students are drawn to group learning in the first place:

Shared struggle: Exam prep can feel isolating. Studying with peers makes the journey more relatable.
Instant feedback: When you’re stuck, peers can clarify concepts faster than flipping through books.
Energy and motivation: Studying in a group can break monotony and push you to keep going.

But does this always translate to better scores? Let’s analyze further.

The Case for Studying with Friends

1. Doubt Solving on the Spot

When preparing for exams like CAT Quantitative Aptitude or CLAT Legal Reasoning, it’s common to get stuck. Instead of wasting hours, discussing with a peer can resolve doubts instantly.

For example, if you’re stuck on a tricky DI set, a friend might approach it with a shortcut method you hadn’t considered. Similarly, in CLAT passages, peers can highlight case-law principles you might miss.

2. Healthy Competition

Peer study introduces a competitive edge. If your friend attempts 5 RC passages in a sitting, you’re motivated to do the same or more. This positive rivalry keeps procrastination at bay.

3. Shared Resources

No one person can cover everything alone. Friends may discover mock questions, online resources, or exam tips that you might have overlooked. In a group, resources multiply.

4. Accountability

Peer study adds a layer of discipline. If you’ve promised to meet your study partner at 5 PM for a mock review, you’re less likely to skip it.

The Downsides of Peer Study

1. Mismatch in Pace

Not everyone studies at the same speed. One aspirant may prefer rushing through practice, while another takes time to digest concepts. Such differences can frustrate both.

2. Distractions

It’s easy for a “study group” to turn into a hangout session. A quick meme, gossip, or scrolling break can derail hours of productive time.

3. Dependency

Over time, some students lean too heavily on peers. Instead of developing independent problem-solving skills, they wait for friends to explain everything — a dangerous habit, especially in exams like CAT and IPMAT, which demand speed and self-reliance.

How Different Exams Benefit from Peer Study

CAT (Common Admission Test)

Peer discussions allow multiple interpretations of RC passages.
Group problem-solving in DI-LR encourages creative approaches.
Joint mock analysis helps identify recurring mistakes faster.

CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

Legal reasoning passages benefit from group brainstorming — different perspectives reveal nuances in fact-principle applications.
Peers can quiz each other on current affairs and GK updates.

CUET (Common University Entrance Test)

Vocabulary and GK can be shared and tested in group sessions.
Reasoning questions often benefit from explaining logic to peers, which deepens understanding.

IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test)

Peer groups can conduct mental math challenges to boost speed.
Group quizzes on logic and reasoning accelerate quick thinking.

Sample Question Styles for Peer Study

Here are practice examples ideal for group sessions:

CAT-Style Quant Question: A train travels 120 km at 60 km/h and returns the same distance at 40 km/h. What is the average speed for the entire journey?

CLAT-Style GK Question: Which Article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Equality?

CUET-Style Vocabulary Question: Choose the synonym for “lucid”: a) Clear b) Complex c) Confused d) Opaque

IPMAT-Style Math Question: If the sum of the first 20 natural numbers is S, what is S?

How to Structure Peer Study (The Smart Way)

The success of peer study depends on planning. Here’s a framework to make it effective:

1. Fix an Agenda Before Meeting

Never meet without a plan. Example:

30 mins vocab quiz
60 mins mock discussion
30 mins RC solving

2. Limit Group Size

Keep it small — ideally 2 to 4 students. Bigger groups waste time in coordination and side-talk.

3. Set Deadlines and Track Progress

End each session with “targets for next week.” Peer pressure works best when accountability is built in.

4. Mix Solo and Group Study

Don’t outsource all study to peers. Use solo time for learning concepts; group time should be reserved for revision, practice, or mock analysis.

Sample Peer Study Templates

Here’s how aspirants can structure sessions depending on their exam:

CAT Group Session Plan
CLAT Group Session Plan
CUET Group Session Plan
IPMAT Group Session Plan

When Peer Study Works Best

During mock analysis sessions
While practicing quizzes and GK
For legal reasoning debates
In mental math races for IPMAT

It works least when you’re:

Learning a new topic for the first time
Revising something deeply conceptual
Easily distracted

What South Ex Mentors Recommend

From years of guiding aspirants, our mentors at Career Launcher South Ex suggest:

Use peer study once or twice a week, not daily.
Keep sessions short (max 2 hours).
Focus on mock reviews, quizzes, and problem-solving, not lectures.
Balance peer sessions with independent practice.

Final Words

Peer study is neither inherently good nor bad — it’s a tool. Like any tool, its value depends on how you use it. When structured well, it can:

Boost accountability
Expose you to diverse problem-solving approaches
Keep preparation enjoyable

When done poorly, it becomes a distraction trap.

So ask yourself: Am I learning more with peers, or wasting time?

At Career Launcher South Ex, we help students strike the right balance — blending solo precision with group energy. That’s how aspirants build discipline, accelerate progress, and maximize their chances of cracking CAT, CLAT, CUET, and IPMAT.