Review Mistakes
Learn
Mistakes are your most valuable learning tool when used correctly. In skill mapping, analyzing your errors helps you update your skill map and refine your improvement plan. This lesson teaches systematic mistake analysis.
The Error Review Process
- Identify: Mark every wrong answer during practice
- Categorize: Determine the type of error (see below)
- Understand: Study the correct solution thoroughly
- Map: Link the error to a specific skill on your map
- Plan: Add targeted practice to your schedule
Error Categories
- Knowledge gap: You didn't know the concept or formula
- Application error: You knew the concept but applied it incorrectly
- Calculation mistake: You made an arithmetic error
- Reading error: You misunderstood what the question asked
- Rushing error: You went too fast and skipped steps
Examples
Example Error Analysis
Problem: What is 25% of 80?
Your answer: 25
Correct answer: 20
Error type: Calculation mistake (confused 25% with 80/4 = 20, not 100/4 = 25)
Skill to practice: Percentage calculations
Mapping to Skill Domains
If you miss many problems involving:
- Equations → Map to "Algebra" skill area
- Graphs/charts → Map to "Data Analysis" skill area
- Shapes/angles → Map to "Geometry" skill area
- Ratios/percentages → Map to "Problem Solving" skill area
Practice Quiz
Practice identifying and categorizing errors with these problems.
Question 1: A student solved 3x = 15 and got x = 5. Is this correct?
Answer: Yes, this is correct
3 x 5 = 15 checks out.
Question 2: A student calculated 40% of 50 as 20. What type of error did they make?
Answer: Correct - no error
0.40 x 50 = 20 is correct.
Question 3: A student found the area of a triangle with base 8 and height 6 to be 48. What error did they make?
Answer: Knowledge gap - forgot to divide by 2
Area of triangle = (1/2) x base x height = (1/2) x 8 x 6 = 24, not 48.
Question 4: A problem asked "how many more" but a student answered with the total. What type of error is this?
Answer: Reading error
They didn't read carefully what the question was asking.
Question 5: A student knew the quadratic formula but made an error when calculating the discriminant. What type of error?
Answer: Application or calculation error
They knew the concept but made a mistake in executing it.
Question 6: What should you do after identifying a knowledge gap?
Answer: Study the concept, then practice similar problems
Fill the gap before moving on.
Question 7: If you keep making calculation errors, what strategy might help?
Answer: Slow down, show all work, and double-check calculations
Rushing often causes calculation errors.
Question 8: A student solved -2 + 5 = -7. What is the correct answer and error type?
Answer: Correct answer is 3. Error type: Calculation mistake with signed numbers
-2 + 5 = 3, not -7. The student may have subtracted incorrectly.
Question 9: How often should you review your error log?
Answer: At least weekly
Regular review helps identify patterns and track improvement.
Question 10: True or False: Errors on easy problems are more important to analyze than errors on hard problems.
Answer: True (often)
Easy problems are worth the same points but should be correct. Errors here indicate fixable issues.
Check Your Understanding
- Can you categorize your errors into the five types?
- Have you created an error log to track patterns?
- Do you review mistakes after every practice session?
Next Steps
- Create or update your error log with recent practice
- Identify your most common error type
- Complete the mixed practice set in the next lesson