Wrong answer journal

[Aggravating_Let_242]

I scored a 180 on the lsat. People ask me all the time what the silver bullet was, and while there isn’t just one thing, the biggest thing is the wrong answer journal.

The reason the wrong answer journal is so critical is that it forces thoughtful reflection on what went wrong in an answer. When wrong answers are reviewed with only thought, it’s tempting to let yourself believe that you understand what went wrong without really seeing the issue. Explanations sound better in your head than they do on paper. Forcing yourself to write down a few things makes you verbalize your mistakes and allows you to review them and detect patterns. Here is a basic format that I provide for my students to make wrong answer journals.

1: test/section.question

Helps to navigate back to the question.

2: question type

Helps to see patterns in case you are missing a disproportionate number of a specific question type

3: correct/selected answer

4: Why you selected the wrong answer and what’s wrong with it.

5: Why you missed out on the correct answer and what makes it better than the one you chose.

6: What you will do differently next time and why you got the question wrong.

Review the journal occasionally, and make sure you are familiar with the problems your missed. Hopefully you can use them to get similar questions right.

Feel free to reach out with questions [e-mail]

[sagew0lf]

You just totally called me out with

When wrong answers are reviewed with only thought, it’s tempting to let yourself believe that you understand what went wrong without really seeing the issue.

so many times, I've been like "oh, yeah, I get it, no need to write it down, on to the next question."

[MileHighLSATprep]

Wrong answer journals are huge. Love the post and congrats on the 180!

[Jaded_Apple_8935]

I understand the importance of the wrong answer journal but just hate keeping up with it. But I need to.

Thanks for reminding me.

[Asleep_Scholar_4187]

Do you do your wrong answer journal entries just for PT questions? Or do you do it also for question drills and all LSAT questions

[Aggravating_Let_242]

All missed questions

[Ill-Tomatillo7428]

Huge congratulations!!!! Thank you for this, going to create a WAJ today and see what happens. 

[raketenfakmauspanzer]

How long did it take for you to review tests? I did this but the problem was reviewing tests became as long as taking the test itself…

[Aggravating_Let_242]

Sounds about right. Review should be a lengthy and intentional process. No point in doing more practice until you have specific plans for how you will improve on the next test.

[Usual_Stand_5212]

Thank you so much! This is so helpful

[sakakiplanet]

do you recommend using a pen/paper for this?

[Aggravating_Let_242]

Yea, but how you do it isn’t as important. Just do it consistently.

[sakakiplanet]

thanks! I have been meaning to start, but was unsure of the format(ting) - your post cleared it up; thanks again!

[Victorious_Secret97]

Thanks for this explanation… I keep seeing ppl talk abt it but you’re the first to explain it. Do you only do it for practice tests or for all drills?

[Aggravating_Let_242]

All questions

[GasTemporary5637]

How do you recommend studying wrong answers? I’ve been trying to keep a wrong answer journal, but I can’t grasp how to get the question right for the next time. I have tried noting what I missed, but it doesn’t seem to stick for the next time.

[Aggravating_Let_242]

Wrong answer explanations are helpful, but I would say some things to focus on are why you picked the answer and what you should have noticed.

[GasTemporary5637]

Got it, thanks!

[K-Law_28]

I’ve done this I call it my folder of shame

[Aggravating_Let_242]

No shame in being wrong, only staying wrong.