Why keep an error log? For more info, visit: http://gmatmathpro.

com/2011/10/25/why-keep-a-gmat-error-log/
Error Log - Explanation
Original Problem Correct Work and Answer Error Explanation

In this box, write the original problem as
well as the page number and problem
number so that you can easily find more
problems like this. If it is a quiz item, list
the quiz name.

Work the problem correctly, being sure to
show EVERY step. Include the correct
answer.

Write a thoughtful explanation of why you
got the problem wrong or missed points.
Include the incorrect answer you got and
how you got that answer. Then write what
you should have done.

In this box, write the original problem as
well as the page number and problem
number so that you can easily find more
problems like this. If it is a quiz item, list
the quiz name.

Work the problem correctly, being sure to
show EVERY step. Include the correct
answer.

Write a thoughtful explanation of why you
got the problem wrong or missed points.
Include the incorrect answer you got and
how you got that answer. Then write what
you should have done.

In this box, write the original problem as
well as the page number and problem
number so that you can easily find more
problems like this. If it is a quiz item, list
the quiz name.

Work the problem correctly, being sure to
show EVERY step. Include the correct
answer.

Write a thoughtful explanation of why you
got the problem wrong or missed points.
Include the incorrect answer you got and
how you got that answer. Then write what
you should have done.
Be sure to look for patterns in your errors. Which mistakes do you most commonly make? Keep these in mind when working problems in the
future (especially when taking quizzes or tests).
Why keep an error log? For more info, visit: http://gmatmathpro.com/2011/10/25/why-keep-a-gmat-error-log/
Error Log - Sample
Page #, Problem #, Original Problem Correct Work and Answer Error Explanation

Mid-Chapter Quiz, #3

3.6 10
5
6 10
3

3.6 10
5
6 10
3

= (
3.6
6
)(
10
5
10
3
)
= (0.6)(10
8
)
= (6 10
1
)(10
8
)
= 6 10
1
10
8


6 10
9

I changed the numerator and the
denominator from scientific notation to
standard form. Then, I left it as a fraction.
My answer was
0.000036
6,000
. I should have
treated the original problem as two
problems. First I should have divided the
decimals numbers (to get 0.6) and then I
should have divided the like bases using
exponent rules (when dividing like bases,
subtract the exponents, so 5 3 = 8).
Then, I should have checked to see if my
answer was in scientific notation, and
rewrote the solution in scientific notation.

Mid-Chapter Quiz #5

(3
2
)
2
(2
5

2
)
3

(3
2
)
2
(2
5

2
)
3

= (3
1

1
)
2
((2)
1

2
)
3

= (3
2

2
)((2)
3

15

6
)
= (9
4

2
)(8
15

6
)
= 9
4

2
8
15

6

= 9 8
4

15

2

6

= 72
19

8


72
19

8

Instead of finding three to the second
power for the first factor, I multiplied
three times two and got six. Instead of
finding negative two to the third power for
the second factor, I multiplied negative two
times three and got six. Then, I added six
and negative six, and I thought they would
cancel, so I dropped the coefficients. My
answer was
19

8
. Before I started the
problem, I should have written in 1 for any
exponent that was missing. This would have
helped me remember to raise the power to a
power.

Why keep an error log? For more info, visit: http://gmatmathpro.com/2011/10/25/why-keep-a-gmat-error-log/
Error Log
Page #, Problem #, Original Problem Correct Work and Answer Error Explanation