LSAT Wrong Answer Journal and How to Keep One

Quick answer: a wrong answer journal is a simple log of each question you miss or guess on. For each one, write why you picked the wrong answer and why the right one is right. Over time, it shows your real patterns, which tells you exactly what to study.

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What to Write Down

Field	Example
Test and question	PrepTest, Section 2, Question 14
Question type	Necessary Assumption
Your answer and the right answer	B, correct is D
Why you chose it	It sounded strong and I rushed
Why it is wrong	It helps, but the argument does not need it
Why the right answer is right	Negate it and the argument falls apart
Lesson	Use the negation test on the final two

How to Use It

Log every miss and every guess, even when you guessed right.
Wait a day, then try the question again without looking.
Every week, count your misses by type and by reason.
Spend your next study block on the top two patterns.
Retest those questions after a couple of weeks.

Common Mistakes

Writing only “misread” with no detail.
Copying the explanation rather than using your own words.
Never going back to the journal.

Pair this with blind review and how to review practice tests.

Why It Works

When you miss a question and just read the explanation, it feels like learning, but it fades fast. Writing the reason in your own words makes you face what went wrong. After a few weeks, you will see patterns you could not see before, like always falling for strong answers or misreading “except.” Those patterns are what you should study next.

FAQ

Should I log questions I got right?

Log any you guessed on or were unsure about. Those are hidden weak spots.

Paper or spreadsheet?

Either works. A spreadsheet makes it easier to count misses by type.

How long should each entry take?

A few minutes is enough. Keep it short so you stick with it.