The present invention concerns a process for making a polyareneazole polymer comprising the steps of: a) contacting azole-forming monomers, metal powder, and optionally P.sub.2O.sub.5, in polyphosphoric acid to form a mixture; b) blending the mixture at a temperature of from about 50.degree. C. to about 110.degree. C.; c) further blending the mixture at a temperature of up to about 145.degree. C. to form a solution comprising an oligomer; d) optionally, degassing the solution; and e) reacting the oligomer solution at a temperature of about 160.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. for a time sufficient to form a polymer.