Preparing for the GRE can sometimes feel like you’re on a wild roller coaster ride. But guess what? Each bump, twist, and turn is an opportunity to learn and grow. The mistakes you make during practice? They’re golden learning moments, and that’s where a GRE error log comes into play. It’s your personalized guide, keeping track of where you’ve stumbled so you know which content and question types will require more time and effort to master. In order to prioritize your weaknesses, you have to be able to identity them. So, let’s explore how to create this magical tool and use it to supercharge your GRE prep.
Magoosh’s Free GRE Error Log Template
If you’re a visual learner, our free template will easily help you spot patterns in your mistakes and track your improvement as well!
Click here to copy this Google Sheet into your own Drive.
Why you need a GRE error log
Think of an error log as your personal GRE diary. It keeps track of all the questions you got wrong during your prep. It shows you your weak spots, the type of mistakes you make, and any patterns that might emerge. Like a trusty sidekick, it helps you tackle your specific challenges head-on, making your prep more focused and effective.
It should help you answer the following questions, at various stages of your prep:
- Should I focus more on Quant or Verbal?
- Which Quant or Verbal question type should I practice more often?
- Should I practice slowing down (to avoid careless errors) or speeding up (if I’m not finishing quickly enough)?
- I have been really practicing X recently. Am I actually improving?
- My test is coming up, and I still always miss this question type. Should I officially label it as one to skip or guess in my pacing strategy?
- I can’t boil the ocean, and I don’t have much time left to prep. What’s my top priority to practice?
- I’ve been studying for a long time. Are there trends in how I’ve been improving or plateauing since I started?
Creating your own detailed error log
If you’re more an “on-paper” person, or want to add more detail, creating your own error log is easier than you think. Grab a notebook or dedicate a section in your study materials and start jotting down:
- Question Identifier (Optional): Label each question with a number or a unique tag so you can refer to it later.
- Question Type: Note down which GRE section the question belongs to and its type. Is it a Sentence Equivalence question from Verbal Reasoning or a Problem-Solving one from Quantitative Reasoning?
- Error Type: Describe your mistake—did you misinterpret the question, use the wrong formula, or misunderstand the passage?
- Why, Oh Why: Dig deeper into why you made the mistake. Was it a lack of understanding, carelessness, time pressure, or unfamiliarity with the topic?
- The Right Way (Optional – you can combine this category with the one above!): After checking the correct solution, write down a simple explanation of the right approach or concept.
Spotting patterns and trends
Make it a habit to review your error log regularly. Are you consistently messing up a certain question type or topic? Do specific vocab words or math concepts trip you up? Spotting these patterns will help you zero in on areas that need extra love and attention.
Building your improvement plan
Once you’ve spotted your mistake patterns, it’s time to build your battle plan:
- Back to Basics: If you’re struggling with understanding, revisit the relevant concepts or look for additional resources.
- Target Practice: Spend more time practicing questions related to your weak areas. Official GRE practice tests are great for this.
- Beat the Clock: If time pressure is your nemesis, try timed exercises to improve your speed.
- Word Power: If vocab is your Achilles heel, work on expanding your word bank. Learn high-frequency GRE words and their context.
Your error log isn’t just about your oops moments. It’s also a place to celebrate your wins. Take notes on questions you answered correctly. What strategies worked? Use these insights to replicate your success.
Rinse and repeat
Keep updating your error log as you continue your GRE journey. It’s a great way to monitor your progress and keep yourself motivated. Remember, consistency is key. Regular practice and review will help reinforce your learning and avoid repeating mistakes.
In a nutshell, a GRE error log helps you understand your mistakes, spot patterns, and develop targeted strategies. Embrace your mistakes as learning opportunities and let your error log guide you towards GRE success. With dedication, grit, and a growth mindset, you’ll walk into the test center brimming with confidence.
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