Student Mistake Analysis Guide
Improvement becomes more reliable when a wrong answer is treated as evidence about the next study move, not as a label about ability.
Five useful categories
Calculation
The method was right but an arithmetic or sign step slipped. Recalculate one line at a time.
Concept
The rule or model was selected incorrectly. Return to an example and explain why the relationship fits.
Question reading
A word such as “not”, “total”, “compare” or “estimate” was missed. Circle the task verb.
Units
The number may be right but the unit is missing or inconsistent. Write units beside each step.
Rushed answer
The response was not checked. Reserve a final minute to estimate and reread the question.
Keep an error log
Record the date, topic, original attempt, error category, corrected reasoning and one action for next time. Review the log weekly and look for patterns. Three unit errors suggest a checking routine; repeated concept errors suggest a smaller, more specific lesson.
Motion graph; I used the whole distance instead of the distance during the segment; concept/reading; I will label each segment before calculating its gradient.
Use the log without discouragement
Keep the corrected solution beside the original so the change is visible. Ask “what evidence would have prevented this?” rather than only copying the final answer. Link the next study action to the error: revisit motion for graph interpretation, or use fractions practice for method selection.