What's in it
The template is deliberately narrow. Every column exists because it changes what you study next — nothing is in there to make the sheet look thorough.
| Column | What to put there |
|---|---|
| Date | When you took the test or practice set, not when you're reviewing it. |
| Test / Practice Set | Which test this mistake came from — lets you compare error counts test to test. |
| Subject | Math, or Reading & Writing (English, Reading, Science for the ACT). |
| Category (Domain: Topic) | The specific skill, e.g. "Algebra: Linear equations in one variable" — not just "Math." |
| Module | Module 1 or Module 2, for the digital SAT's adaptive sections. Leave blank if your test doesn't have modules. |
| Question # | So you can find the question again if you want to redo it. |
| Error Type | Why you missed it — see the list below. This is the column that actually finds patterns. |
| What Happened | One sentence, written right after the test while you still remember your thought process. |
| Reviewed? | Whether you've gone back and actually redone or restudied this mistake. Most logs fail here. |
The error type list
Use the same short list every time — a fresh label for every mistake defeats the point of a log. This is the exact list StudyMaze ships with by default:
- Knowledge Gap — you didn't know the content this question tested.
- Concept Misunderstanding — you knew the topic but had the rule wrong.
- Misapplied Concept — you knew the rule but used it in the wrong spot.
- Careless / Execution Error — right approach, a slip in the arithmetic or reading.
- Misread the Question — answered a question the test didn't actually ask.
- Wrong Strategy — picked an approach that was never going to get there efficiently.
- Time Management — rushed or ran out of time before finishing the question.
- Guess / Other — a flat-out guess, or anything that doesn't fit above.
If you're not sure how to tell a careless error from a real gap, read careless vs. conceptual errors — it's the distinction most students get wrong.
How to use it in Google Sheets
- Download the CSV above.
- In Google Sheets, go to File → Import → Upload, choose the file, and pick "Insert new sheet."
- Freeze the header row (View → Freeze → 1 row) so it stays visible as you scroll.
- Turn the Error Type column into a dropdown with Data → Data validation using the eight values above, so every row uses the same wording.
How to use it in Notion
- Create a new page, then choose Import → CSV and select the downloaded file. Notion turns it straight into a database.
- Change the Error Type column's property type to Select and add the eight options above — Notion will then color-code them automatically.
- Add a filtered view grouped by Error Type to see counts per category without any manual tallying.
How to use it in Excel or Numbers
Both open the CSV directly — just double-click it, or use File → Open. Save it as .xlsx or .numbers afterward if you want the dropdown/formatting features those apps support.