What is an Error Log?

It’s a small table where you record only your mistakes and how to fix them.
Goal: make the same mistake fewer times or less each week. Getting the best overall practice and learning path.

Why it works (for beginners):

• You see patterns (e.g., numbers in Listening, TF / NG in Reading).
• You write a tiny rule to avoid the same error.
• You choose one small drill to fix it.

The Beginner Error Log Sheet (one page)

Make a table (paper / Google Sheet / Notion). One row = one mistake.

Columns (keep it simple):

1. Date
2. Skill (Reading / Listening / Writing / Speaking)
3. Question Ref (e.g., R1 - Q7, L3 - Q15, W2 - Body - 1)
4. My → Correct (your answer vs correct)
5. Error Type (pick one):
   • Reading: TF/NG, headings, detail, inference
   • Listening: numbers/dates, names/spelling, maps
   • Writing: task response, grammar, cohesion
   • Speaking: fluency, pronunciation, grammar
6. Why it happened (1 short reason)
7. Fix/Rule (1 sentence you will follow next time)
8. Small Drill (5 - 10 min)
9. Flashcard? (Yes / No)

Tip: If a row feels long, you’re writing too much. One line per box is enough.

How to fill it (60–90 seconds per mistake)

1. Write Date, Skill, Question Ref, My → Correct.
2. Choose 1 Error Type and 1 Why (don’t overthink).
3. Write Fix / Rule in action words.
4. Add Small Drill and Flashcard? If vocabulary/grammar is involved.

Good Fix / Rule examples:

• Reading: “If evidence isn’t clear, choose Not Given instead of guessing.”
• Listening: “Underline every number; recheck last two digits before marking.”
• Writing: “Plan first: position → 2 reasons → examples.”
• Speaking: “1 - beat pause instead of ‘umm’; start with ‘Firstly…’”

Example rows (so you can copy the style)

Reading (TF/NG)

• My → Correct: T → NG
• Error Type: TF / NG | Why: guessed without line evidence
• Fix/Rule: “No evidence = NG.”
• Small Drill: 10 TF / NG questions
• Flashcard?: No

Listening (numbers)

• My → Correct: 514 → 541
• Error Type: numbers | Why: didn’t check last digits
• Fix/Rule: “Circle last two digits; confirm before shading.”
• Small Drill: 5-minute numbers dictation
• Flashcard?: No

Writing (Task 2)

• My → Correct: - (structure issue)
• Error Type: task response | Why: no outline
• Fix/Rule: “2 - min outline before writing.”
• Small Drill: write 3 outlines only
• Flashcard?: Yes (linkers by function)

Speaking (fluency)

• My → Correct: - (speech)
• Error Type: fluency | Why: long thinking pauses
• Fix/Rule: “Use opener: ‘To begin with…’ then example.”
• Small Drill: 2×2 - min recordings; re-answer once
• Flashcard?: No

Weekly Review (25–30 minutes, once a week)

Keep it light. You’re just organizing what you already logged.

Step-by-step:

• (5 min) Count mistakes by Error Type. Circle the top 2 weak areas.
• (10 min) Re-read 6 - 8 key rows: make sure each has a clear Fix / Rule.
• (5 min) Choose 3 drills for next week (5–10 min each).
• (5 min) Make or clean up 10 flashcards (only high-value items).
• (3 - 5 min) Set 1 small goal per weak area (e.g., “Do TF / NG set 10x on Thu”).

Two simple rules:

• If a rule works twice, add it to a Golden Rules list.
• If the same mistake repeats 3×, give it daily 5-minute drills next week.

Three tiny metrics (track once a week)

• Repeat - Error %: How many rows this week have tags you saw last week? Aim to drop below 15% over 2 - 3 weeks.
• Accuracy on weak type (e.g., TF / NG): write last week → this week.
• Time per question (for Reading/Listening sets): aim for 10–15% faster over a month.

Don’t track everything. Track only what changes your next week’s plan.

8) What “good” looks like after 2–3 weeks

• You can name your top 2 weak types without guessing.
• Your Fix / Rules become short and specific (and you actually use them).
• Repeat - Error % goes down, and accuracy on a weak type goes up.
• You have a small Golden Rules list (3 - 5 items) that you review before practice.

9) Keep it small and steady

• Log some mistakes every study day (even 3 - 5 is fine).
• Keep rows short.
• Do the Weekly Review even if you feel “behind” - that’s how you catch up.