Getting ready for your SAT or ACT is exciting, and we want to help you ace it! One of the best ways to prepare is by tackling the questions you missed and really understanding where you went wrong.
If you just do practice questions without digging into each error, you're missing golden opportunities to spot patterns, discover different approaches for next time, and double-check your work to avoid those pesky calculation or small mistakes.
We’ve made reviewing mistakes super easy. If you look at the bottom of the Practice mode page, you’ll find a dedicated section just for you to target those tricky spots.
In this section, you can revisit all your past mistakes. Go through them one by one, fix them, and really grasp the why behind the correct answer. Once you’ve nailed a question, you'll be able to open a Similar Question right away. This gives you another awesome chance to reinforce what you just learned.
The Power of Repetition
Repetition is your secret weapon for the SAT/ACT! The digital exams are standardized tests that tend to reuse the same patterns. For example, the variations of Algebra questions the College Board throws at you are pretty limited.
Because of this, the most successful test-takers will work through the same problems multiple times. This isn't just busy work—it helps them:
Improve Accuracy: Recognize question patterns faster.
Boost Speed: Solve questions more efficiently.
Master the Best Methods: There are often multiple ways to solve Algebra questions. As you practice these questions again (we call it "remixing"), you figure out the most efficient approach for each type.
Find Your Perfect Style
You might even find it helpful to practice solving questions in a couple of different ways to figure out which methods work best for you. Try solving things with mental math, with scratch paper, or using Desmos to really hone in on your preferred approach.
Create Your Personal "Oops" Log
A fantastic method for reviewing and truly learning from your mistakes is by creating a physical error log. For every question you miss, jot down why you got the answer incorrect. It’s all about honest self-reflection so you can learn and grow!
For every mistake, record these key details:
The Question Type: (e.g., “Words in Context," “Solving Linear Systems”)
Your Initial Thought: What was going through your head that led you to your answer?
The Actual Reason for the Error: Be super honest with yourself: Was it a careless calculation? Did you misread the prompt? Did a "distractor" answer trick you?
This helps you see patterns and "bucket" the types of mistakes you're making. Once you understand exactly what’s tripping you up, you can fix it! Maybe that means slowing down to avoid simple mistakes, perhaps it’s relearning a concept entirely, or maybe it’s deciding to use something like Desmos to solve a certain problem type faster.
Keep practicing smarter, and you'll be well on your way to conquering your exam!