Your GMAT journey will present a myriad of challenges along the way. Sometimes you will breeze through the practice questions, while other times, you will face plateaus. Since the test is varied, both in topics and difficulty, no one can navigate it without facing challenges. In test-prep circles, a lot has been said about the various test-taking strategies and preparation tips. However, one aspect of preparation that many people gloss over is the use of an Error Log.

Our entire existence as a species is born out of trial and error. We learn best through our experiences and building upon them. We have a penchance for correcting course when things don’t work in our favor. Why shouldn’t we use the same tactic to prepare for GMAT or any other standardized test?

In my opinion, an Error Log is essential for preparing for the GMAT. It can completely change your practice routine and give you the necessary data to improve yourself.

What is an Error Log, and Why Should I Use it?

An error log is a piece of document that you use to record your mistakes and incorrect answers. The objective is to make an organized list of your mistakes so you can keep track of them and improve them. As an owner of a test-prep company, I see students who make a mistake during their prep and read the explanation for the correct answer choice and move on.

The problem here is that how would you know that if the same sort of problem showed up again, you will get it right? Technically, you didn’t practice that question successfully because you got it wrong. If you had gotten it right, then that would mean that you already know how to answer it. However, this is not the case.

Hence, an error log will help you keep a record of such mistakes. In the future, when you feel like you prepared well, you can go back and test yourself by solving the problems that you wrote down in the error log.

Moreover, an error log doesn’t have to be a fancy thing. It is quite simple, and you can make one yourself. However, the good people at Magoosh have already done so, and you can download a free one from here.

How to Use an Error Log?

Step # 1 Making an Entry

An error log is only as good as the information in it. Hence, the first step is to learn how to make an entry. I will advise that you have the error log open in a separate window on your computer whenever you are studying for GMAT. As you are solving practice questions, you are bound to get some of them wrong. When this happens, open the error log and fill in all the columns about that question.

You will see the following columns in the error log I have linked above.

Location

This is where you will put the location of the question you got wrong. This can be a book name, followed by a page number and then the question number. It can also be an online course, in which case you will write down the name of the course and the question number.

Section

Write down either Verbal or Quant depending on which section the question belongs to. 

Question Type

Write down the question type here. Is it a data sufficiency question or a problem-solving question? 

What Worked?

This is where you will write down the process that worked. When you get a question wrong, you will refer to the answer key and find the correct answer choice and explanation. Once you understand the explanation and solve the problem correctly, write down what worked in this column. 

Where Did I Go Wrong?

You will specify the mistake you made that caused you to arrive at the wrong answer. This is the mistake you made before checking the explanation.

What Will I Do Next Time?

Write down what you learned that gave you the correct answer.

Additional Notes

This is optional. If you feel like you have something helpful to add, then write it down here.

I Will Redo This Problem On

Write down the date that you have chosen to review the error log. It doesn’t have to be the exact date for the entire log. Instead, check your schedule and work-out a suitable date for each error or a group of errors. 

Step # 2 Reviewing the Error Log

Once You have enough entries on the error log and you have picked out a date. All that remains is that you make a habit of reviewing the error log. Set a reminder on your phone’s calendar app. When the day arrives, dedicate a few hours to studying the errors you made and redoing the questions without reading the solutions. If you get the question right this time, then congrats, you have made progress. However, if you fail again, refer to “what worked” and “What Will I Do Next Time” on the error log. You will find all the information in a consolidated manner without having to look for the answer explanations. This way, you can go through each error one by one until you are confident that you have a firm grasp on them. 

Step # 3 Repeat and Review

It’s been all effortless and straightforward thus far, right? Well, in my experience, the difficult part is forming the habit. I know students who regularly update their error logs have improved their scores substantially. It is a tried and tested way of correcting your mistakes and improving your score. The only thing that you need to ensure is that you keep on making entries and reviewing them. In a few weeks, it will come as second nature to you, I assure you.