Use this GMAT Error Log to score 700+ on the GMAT

In our many years of GMAT prep at Prep Zone Academy™, we have seen many candidates struggle to cross the 700 barrier because of a single but crucial mistake:

They are unable to diagnose their weaknesses.

Whether it is carelessness on Subject-Verb Agreement questions or conceptual errors on Combinatorics questions, if you want to cross the 700 barrier, you need to know exactly what’s holding you back.

The GMAT Error Log is an excel sheet that tracks your performance on every single question you attempt.

If you faithfully track your practice questions and log them down into this template, the log will give you a comprehensive analysis of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as recommendations on what to focus on next.

Here’s how you can use the GMAT error log to improve your GMAT performance:

First, we recommend that you have already done a GMAT diagnostic test. Our GMAT report would provide you with the list of your weak question types, and would be a good starting point for your GMAT Error Log.

Second, download the excel template for the GMAT error log below and save it somewhere safe.

Click Here To Download GMAT Error Log

Once you open it up, it should look something like this:

It is recommended that you open the log as you practice for the GMAT.

To get started, key in the Questions you completed from the GMAT diagnostic test into the excel. For Prep Zone Academy’s students, make sure you select the right source by checking the test number on the platform.

For each cell, key in “1” for the accurate choice. Specifically fill in the below details:

1. Was your response correct? (Yes or No)
2. If it was correct, did you solve it or Guess it?
3. If it was wrong, was it a careless mistake or conceptual mistake?
4. What was the Question type?
5. What was the main topic?
6. What was the secondary topic (if any)?
7. Where is the Question from?

Once you are done, your GMAT error log might look something like this:

Data under the Analytics columns will fill in on their own.

Once you are done, switch to the Dashboard to see your performance diagnosis:

You should key in ALL questions you try – Practice Tests, Practice book (eg GMAT Official Guide), Online Practice Questions (eg GMATClub).

The more questions you key in, the more accurate your analysis will be.

Practice Routine

Once your dashboard has enough data, focus on the 3 weakest topics identified.

For each of these topic, attempt 15 to 20 questions (easy & medium) per topic, starting with the ones that you are Conceptually weak in.

As you answer the questions, fill in the error log after each topic.

Once your score improves for the Conceptually weak topics, move onto the topics that you made Careless mistakes in and repeat the process.

Rinse and repeat

When you feel that you have had sufficient practice, do a mix bag of 50 questions (Practice Test or Official Guide), and note them in the Error Log. Repeat this process until you see a significant score improvement.