Error-log methodology - Categorizing misses by question type

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to systematically log and categorize your LSAT errors by question type, apply targeted review to recurring mistake patterns, and use error logs to design a data-driven revision plan. You will understand the core principles of error categorization, identify sources of common mistakes, and apply a structured approach for efficient LSAT score improvement.

LSAT Syllabus

For LSAT, you are required to understand not only the substantive reasoning and reading concepts, but also how to self-assess and correct exam technique. In preparation for this article, focus your revision on:

• tracking and examining errors using post-test error logs
• grouping mistakes by LSAT question type (e.g., strengthen, flaw, parallel, main point)
• interpreting error patterns to guide targeted revision for each question type
• creating an actionable error-correction and review strategy

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. What is the primary purpose of categorizing your LSAT errors by question type?
   1. To record your score history
   2. To diagnose recurring weaknesses and direct further study
   3. To compare yourself to others
   4. To focus only on difficult questions
2. If a student consistently misses necessary assumption questions, what error-log action is most effective?
   1. Practice more random questions
   2. Memorize every answer choice
   3. Review necessary assumption strategies and question structure
   4. Avoid doing assumption questions
3. Which of the following is NOT likely to improve from using an error log categorized by question type?
   1. Efficient error spotting
   2. Targeted revision focus
   3. Recurring mistake awareness
   4. Ignoring question stems

Introduction

Targeted error logging is one of the most effective methods for raising your LSAT score. While most students keep track of test scores, fewer use structured logs to analyze exactly why questions were missed and to identify trends across question types. This article explains how to set up and interpret an error log, with emphasis on grouping mistakes by LSAT question type. By tracking the category and the cause of each missed question, you can construct a revision plan tailored to your weak spots. This transforms your test review from passive recognition (“I got it wrong”) to active improvement (“I keep missing weakening questions that use causal errors—how do I fix this?”).

Why Use an Error Log?

A simple right/wrong tally does not reveal enough about performance. By recording each error and grouping it by question type, you build a profile of recurring weaknesses. This allows you to allocate revision time proportionally, focus on critical patterns, and directly address problem areas that lower your score.

Key Term: error log
A structured document in which you record each missed LSAT question, question type, the identified error cause, and post-review corrective action.

Key Term: question type categorization
The process of classifying each LSAT error by the specific question type (e.g., strengthen, flaw, main point) for pattern recognition and targeted review.

Step 1: Create and Use a Structured Error Log

To use an error log effectively, you should:

1. For every practice section or exam, record each incorrect or uncertain answer.
2. Identify and log the specific question type (use the LSAT’s definitions: e.g., strengthen, weaken, assumption, inference, main point, parallel reasoning, reading comprehension subtypes, etc.).
3. Write a brief diagnosis of why you missed it. For example: “missed negation cue,” “misread the question stem,” “eliminated correct answer too quickly,” “did not spot sufficient/necessary reversal,” “timed out and guessed.”
4. Record the correct answer and your planned corrective action (“review logical indicator words”; “redo all necessary assumption mistakes from last 3 weeks”; “slow down for parallel reasoning stems”).

This turns your review process into active learning, not passive repetition.

Worked Example 1.1

You miss the following question: "Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument above?" Reviewing your log, you see that you chose (A), which restated a premise, instead of (C), which introduced an alternative cause.

Answer:
Analysis of your log shows you're often choosing answers that merely repeat the argument for weaken questions, rather than those that attack assumptions. Your correction is to study the structure of common weaken questions and drill on identifying answer choices that introduce competing causes or alternative explanations.

Step 2: Categorize Errors by Question Type

When reviewing your log, group all mistakes by question type. For example, all "necessary assumption" errors together, all "flaw" errors in another group, all "reading comprehension inference" errors together, and so on. This enables you to spot which question types account for the bulk of your missed points.

Worked Example 1.2

After 10 practice sections, your error log reveals the following breakdown:

• 6 errors: necessary assumption (main issue: failed negation or identifying the assumption)
• 4 errors: reading comprehension main point (main issue: picking a premise rather than the main claim)
• 7 errors: flaw (main issue: misidentifying the specific flaw described)

You notice that over half of your missed questions are clustered in just two types: necessary assumption and flaw. This signals where to direct your next revision cycle.

Answer:
Your next step is to review strategies for necessary assumption questions (including the negation test) and to drill flaw types. You might also review official definitions of main point questions in reading comprehension.

Step 3: Interpret Patterns and Take Targeted Action

Simply recording errors does not lead to improvement unless you use the data. When you see repeated mistakes in a specific question type, review strategies, note common traps, and drill similar questions. Compare the “why” column in your log to diagnose if the gap is due to misunderstanding question structure, time management, or specific logical issues (e.g., conditional confusion vs. flawed reasoning taxonomy).

Exam Warning

It is ineffective to review only questions you got wrong without grouping them by type. Patterns are easy to miss if you just read explanations in sequence instead of categorizing and tallying your errors.

Step 4: Ongoing Error Log Maintenance

Update your error log after every practice section and exam. Over time, your mistakes should become less frequent and more evenly distributed. Use your log to plan targeted drills, not just general revision.

Revision Tip

After every full LSAT practice, review and recategorize new errors by question type even if some are repeats. Confidence comes from repeated exposure to your key weak types.

Summary

A categorized error log is a powerful feedback tool. By recording each missed question’s type and cause, then interpreting patterns, you transform test practice from repetition into focused skill correction. Grouping errors by type is the most efficient way to direct your LSAT revision where it matters most.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Using an error log to record all LSAT mistakes, including question type and error cause
• Categorizing errors by LSAT question type for pattern recognition
• Diagnosing specific root weaknesses within question types (e.g., logic, timing, reading the stem)
• Using categorized data to set targeted review and drill plans
• Ongoing log review to evaluate progress and adjust revision strategy

Key Terms and Concepts

• error log
• question type categorization