GMAT Cafe

What is a GMAT error log ?

GMAT, like other standardized tests, requires rigorous practice. And when you practice hundreds of problems, you will make a few mistakes. An error-log is just a record of those mistakes. It can be in a notebook or on an excel sheet on your computer. The idea is to maintain the list of mistakes you made.

What to include in the error log ?

It is easier to maintain the error log as an excel sheet, but some of you may prefer pen and paper. What ever  your method of preference, your error log has to contain :

• the Source of question
• the question number
• the question along with the answer choices (if possible)
• what choice you chose
• what was the correct answer
• what kind of mistake was this (careless, conceptual etc.)
• explanation for the answer
• any notes that you might want to add

How to maintain the error log ?

When you practice problems (from OG or any other source), you may end up making few mistakes. So once you are done reviewing your mistakes, open up your error log and fill in all the columns for each mistake you made. If possible note down the question with the answer choices and the explanation. It is completely up to you how you want to maintain your error log, but including all the above mentioned details are recommended.

What is the use of GMAT error log ?

Maintaining a GMAT error log, might seem tedious at first, but comes in handy in your later stages of preparation. When you have maintained the list of mistakes you have made over time, you can see what are the kinds of mistakes you generally make and start working on the problem areas. These are the notes that you have written for yourself based on your problem areas.

Also, when you are in the last stages of preparation, you will find it frustrating to decide what to study and what to review. This is where you will find the true use of error-log. If you make a lot of conceptual mistakes, you know you have to review your concepts. For example, I noticed over time that I make a lot of careless mistakes. So, I started working on concentrating on my calculation steps. And I was able to reduce mistakes I was making, thus shooting up my accuracy.

Another way of maintaining error log :

Another way is, to use a practice grid. This is an excel sheet that you use during your practice sessions. First you choose the set of problems. As you solve each problem, mark the answer choice you think is right in the practice grid. After you are done with solving the problems, check if you have got any of the problems wrong. If you have, then note down the problems which you got wrong, the correct answer choice and the difficulties you faced while solving them.

You can find more details on the practice grid here.

Sample Error log :

I have attached a sample GMAT error log. This is just an illustrative error log. You can download it for free and use this one or create one for yourself.

To download free error log, click on the following link : GMAT Cafe – Error Log