Learning from mistakes: Using exam errors to perfect your English

Students sat at desks in a classroom working

Taking English exams can be intimidating and challenging. Everyone has their own set of strengths and weaknesses, and it's common to make the same kinds of mistakes in an exam.

It¡¯s possible to make use of this though, and improve your English from the mistakes you make. Today in our language learning blog, we discuss how we can use exam errors to perfect and improve your English.

1. Find a pattern

Firstly, you want to establish what your weak and strong points are. Write these down somewhere each time and build up a record. It's essential to take note of the mistakes you make and try to see if there's a pattern.
Perhaps mistakes happen on:

  • A specific type or style of question
  • Questions relating to the same topic area
  • A particular way the exam is delivered (like spoken or written)

These are only a few examples, but recognizing patterns or similarities can help you focus on areas that need improvement or extra attention.

2. Rationalize and understand your mistakes

Making mistakes in an exam can really impact a person's confidence, but if you can, look back and rationalize why that mistake was made. It can help your confidence in the future. Sometimes mistakes are made just because of a misinterpretation, perhaps a question wasn¡¯t read correctly, and you realize you knew the answer after all.

Remember, the situation of being in an exam can be stressful and you may not think or respond in the way you normally would outside of the exam room, so don't be too hard on yourself.
Mistakes happen in the real world every day, and being able to look back at them and examine them critically is a valuable skill.

3. Compare and team up with peers

As we¡¯ve already mentioned, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. It can be a great idea to compare your mistakes with others; they may be making the same ones.

You can team up and try to tackle them together, or you may know someone whose strength is in your weak areas (and vice versa). It's helpful to team up and help each other. They might have some handy tips and techniques for you to try.

4. Experiment with study techniques

It's good to switch up techniques at times and your errors might be giving you some guidance on doing so. If you tend to make errors with your spoken English, consider study techniques that work on that ¨C like using recall or incorporating music to strengthen your speech.

Perhaps memory is an issue, so using tools like flashcards can help you. Some techniques focus on and help improve some areas more than others, so there isn¡¯t one solution for all. Make sure to experiment and see what works for you.

5. Repetition

Perhaps an obvious one, but just repeating and practicing the questions/tasks you¡¯ve gotten wrong in the exam is a good approach. By doing it over and over again, with some persistence, it ends up being retained in your long-term memory.

You may want to study variations of the questions you struggle with, as exams tend to alter their questions and you don¡¯t want to be thrown off in an exam if they reword/change the question slightly.

The next time you review your exam results, remember these steps, look for patterns, examine your thought process and don¡¯t be afraid to ask others for help. With enough practice, those errors should be things of the past.

Explore our Versant test preparation

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • Children sat at desks in a classroom with their hands all raised smiling

    Back to school: Inclusive strategies to welcome and support students from day one

    By
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    As the new school year begins, teachers have an opportunity to set the tone for inclusion, belonging and respect. With the right strategies and activities, you can ensure every student feels seen, heard and valued from the very first day. Embracing diversity isn¡¯t just morally essential: it¡¯s a proven pathway to deeper learning, greater engagement and a more equitable society (Gay, 2018).

    Research consistently shows that inclusive classrooms foster higher academic achievement, improved social skills and increased self-esteem for all students (Banks, 2015). When students feel safe and respected, they are more likely to take risks, collaborate and reach their full potential.

  • A girl sat at a laptop with headphones on in a library

    5 myths about online language learning

    By
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Technology has radically changed the way people are able to access information and learn. As a result, there are a great number of tools to facilitate online language learning ¨C an area that¡¯s been the subject of many myths. Here we highlight (and debunk) some of the bigger ones¡­

    Myth #1: You will learn more quickly

    Although online learning tools are designed to provide ways to teach and support the learner, they won¡¯t provide you with a shortcut to proficiency or bypass any of the key stages of learning.?Although you may well be absorbing lots of vocabulary and grammar rules while studying in isolation, this isn¡¯t a replacement for an environment in which you can immerse yourself in the language with English speakers. Such settings help you improve your speaking and listening skills and increase precision, because the key is to find opportunities to practise both ¨C widening your use of the language rather than simply building up your knowledge of it.

    Myth #2: It replaces learning in the classroom

    With big data and AI increasingly providing a more accurate idea of their level, as well as a quantifiable idea of how much they need to learn to advance to the next level of proficiency, classroom learning is vital for supplementing classroom learning. And with the Global Scale of English providing an accurate measurement of progress, students can personalise their learning and decide how they¡¯re going to divide their time between classroom learning and private study.

    Myth #3: It can¡¯t be incorporated into classroom learning

    There are a huge number of ways that students and teachers can use the Internet in the classroom. Meanwhile, ÃÛÌÒapp¡¯s online courses and apps have a positive, measurable impact on your learning outcomes.

    Myth #4:?You can't learn in the workplace

    Online language learning is ideally suited to the workplace and we must create the need to use the language and opportunities to practise it. A job offers one of the most effective learning environments: where communication is key and you¡¯re frequently exposed to specialized vocabulary. Online language learning tools can flexibly support your busy schedule.

    Myth #5: Online language learning is impersonal and isolating

    A common misconception is that online language learning is a solitary journey, lacking the personal connection and support found in traditional classrooms. In reality, today¡¯s digital platforms are designed to foster community and real interaction. With features like live virtual classrooms, discussion forums and instant feedback, learners can connect with peers and educators around the world, building skills together.

  • Two teenagers sat at a desk in a classroom working together in front of a laptop

    My lifelong learning journey: Why learning English never stops

    By Zarela Cruz
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    My journey with English began in the unlikeliest of places: a mining camp in southern Peru. As a child, I was fascinated by American culture ¨C the movies, the music, the seemingly limitless world that English opened up. For me, the language was a gateway leading to a deeper understanding and feeling of belonging, making me part of their culture.