Repeating Mistakes Without Learning: The Silent Killer of CAT Prep

Repeating the same mistake multiple times isn’t just another mistake, it's a “crime.” CAT preparation is a marathon filled with repetitive tasks and a monotonous routine. One of the most important parts of this journey is taking mock tests and analyzing them. Many CAT aspirants attempt numerous mock tests but fail to analyze them properly. This keeps them stuck in the same score range and often creates a negative outlook on their preparation. However, mock analysis is a completely different game and mastering it can change everything. 

Why Create an Error Log Book? 

Creating an “Error Log Book” is a key part of mock test analysis, yet it is often overlooked and underestimated by most aspirants. Auditing your errors is a must-do activity,it reveals your true performance patterns and highlights the exact mistakes you keep repeating. This helps you target specific areas of weakness instead of working with broad, generalized categories. 

How to Make an Error Log Book 

An effective error log is crucial for maximizing your CAT mock test analysis and turning weaknesses into strengths. Instead of just noting your score and feeling disheartened or elated, an error log provides a structured way to understand where and why mistakes happened enabling targeted improvement. 

Structure of Your Error Log 

Use an Excel sheet for your error log. It's highly recommended for its filtering features, which make it easy to track patterns and identify areas for improvement. Each entry in your error log should include:

• Test Number & Date: To track progress over time.
• Scores: Quant, Verbal, LRDI, and overall.
• Question Number: To identify the exact question.
• Topic: Broad area (e.g., Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry).
• Sub-topic: A specific detail (e.g., Exponents, Quadratic Equations, Functions). This prevents you from overgeneralizing (“Algebra is weak”) when only a sub-topic is the issue.
• Type of Errors: 
• Conceptual Errors – You didn’t know the formula, theorem, or concept.
• Application Errors – You knew the concept but couldn’t apply it under pressure.
• Silly Mistakes – Careless slips like calculation errors or misreading.
• Out-of-the-Box Errors – Unconventional approaches you wouldn’t normally think of.

    After each mock, dedicate at least 2–3 hours to thorough analysis:

• Re-attempt every incorrect or unattempted question without looking at the solution.
• If you still can’t solve it, then check the solution.
• Identify the topic and sub-topic.
• Classify the type of error (conceptual, application, silly, out-of-the-box).
• Record all details in your Excel log.

Conclusion 

As you progress through mocks, the types of errors in your log will gradually change. Initially, conceptual errors dominate. As you strengthen your basics, application errors become more common. Later, silly mistakes surface, and finally, you’ll encounter out-of-the-box questions. 

The ultimate goal is clear, eliminate conceptual and application errors, reduce silly mistakes to zero, and tackle unconventional questions with confidence. This systematic tracking and correction will significantly boost your scores and push you closer to CAT success.