Purposeful practice
The mistake worth keeping.
A short review log can help you choose what to practice next. Keep the reason for the mistake, not just the right answer.
Review does not end with the correct letter
When checking an activity, it is tempting to mark the right answer and move on. First, explain in your own words what evidence supports it and why your chosen option does not answer the question. If you cannot explain it, keep that uncertainty for review.
Name the difficulty precisely
Distinguish between not understanding a word, missing a detail, confusing the purpose of a text, and answering without checking the evidence. These are observations about your practice, not permanent labels about your ability. A precise description helps you choose the next task.
Keep the log small
Try these columns: activity, observed difficulty, evidence or correction, and next step. Make that next step something you can do: reread a specific passage, compare options, or rewrite a sentence to communicate its purpose more clearly.
Return to the skill, not just the question
After reviewing, find another activity that uses the same skill. Recognizing an answer you have already memorized is not the same as explaining the evidence for a new question. Compare how you work, not only the final result.
Handle official score scales carefully
ETS publishes TOEFL score-scale guidance and advice for institutions setting their requirements.[3][1] Consult those sources and your program’s instructions. The number of correct answers in the mini activity on this page does not convert into an official score.
Bring an observation to your next class
Choose an example that shows what you tried and where you got stuck. “I chose this option because I understood this phrase in this way” opens a more useful discussion than “I got everything wrong.” Your log does not need to be long; it needs to suggest a clear next step.