How to Build Your Wrong Questions Bank

Here is exactly what I tracked during SQE 1 prep. This is not the only way to do it, but if you want a starting framework, this is what worked for me.

What to Track

Keep it to five data points per mistake. The specific subtopic, not just the subject area. Your reasoning for picking the wrong answer. The correct principle you missed. Whether it was a knowledge gap, an application error, or a careless mistake. And the question reference so you can redo it later.

That last category matters more than people think. A knowledge gap means you need to go back to the material. An application error means you need more practice, not more reading. A careless mistake means you are rushing. If more than 20% of your mistakes are careless, you have a pacing problem, not a knowledge problem.

Where to Track It

I used a Google Sheet: date, subject, subtopic, my reasoning, correct reasoning, mistake type, question reference, reviewed. Simple, filterable, and easy to spot patterns across subjects.

Log each entry immediately after reviewing the explanation, while your reasoning is still fresh. Waiting until the end of a session means you will just write that you got it wrong, which tells you nothing.

What Changes Over Time

Once you start tracking, patterns surface quickly. The same subtopics keep appearing. The same type of error repeats. That is exactly where your revision should go, not back to whatever you last read.

Most candidates do practice questions and hope they are improving. Tracking means you will know.