Some of you may be wondering what a Mock Logbook is and others might think of it as an inefficient use of time. However, in order to take you a step forward in CAT (Common Admission Test) preparation, a Mock Logbook helps you shift your approach from “just giving mocks” to “preparing through mocks”. This article explains the complete picture of what a Mock Logbook is, why it is essential, the advantages and finally, how to create one with efficiency.
What is a Mock Logbook?
A Mock Logbook is a systematic tool of record-keeping used to document mock test attempts, including scores, question types, time management, mistakes, and key learnings, with the goal of improving exam strategy and performance over time. Mock Logbooks can be recorded in mainly two formats, a traditional note-keeping or online through excel.
Think of Mock Logbook as your personal performance journal that helps you track your CAT preparation journey. Some candidates think of it as a mere mindless effort to record your mistakes and would rather use that time in improving that section. However, more than numbers, it is a powerful tool that helps you inspire informed action about your mistakes and further build your strategy to correct those patterns.
Why is a Mock Logbook Essential?
Many CAT aspirants are well equipped with knowledge and understanding of the exam pattern. Albeit, successfully clearing CLAT is a game of strategic planning. It is often observed that the aspirants keep chasing the idea of achieving a higher score, which commonly ends in them being blindsided on the pattern of mistakes they have been building. A logbook offers the candidate clear data-driven insights that turn ambiguity into a clear understanding.
Additionally, a Mock Logbook objectifies emotions. Let’s look at it with an example, Rahul seems disappointed that he lands more or less the same score in the Verbal Section, blindsided by the errors he has been making in vocabulary based questions. He has been wondering why he doesn’t move ahead and improve his score. In context, he has now been creating a clean and colour coded excel that tracks his pattern of mistakes. Rahul has now started observing a pattern in his mistakes and started focusing on building vocabulary instead of mindlessly appearing for another mock. Thus, just by spending mere 5-7 minutes updating his logbook after every mock test, Rahul has now strategically learnt how to turn disappointment into actionable improvement. Almost every aspirant is Rahul at some point of their preparation journey. This article aims to break that monotony…
How Mock Logbook Helps Deliver Results?
- Maps strengths and weaknesses: It is quite commonly observed that the aspirants feel like they have run in a rut with their score. With logbook keeping, a candidate can spot why they have reached plateau and accordingly reach breakthrough after working on the required area/section.
- Spot pattern mistakes: With the steady pace of reappearing in mock tests, alongside its logbook keeping, a candidate can identify why they haven’t still aced a specific section and/or manage time efficiently. They can notice if their attempts are repetitively low in a specific area/section and improve the same for an overall improved score.
- Highlights consistent improvement: As discussed above, a Mock Logbook helps a candidate stay motivated with tangible improvements, observe performance graph scale and make changes in their preparation, accordingly.
- Logbook Revision: It is advisable that an aspirant records their key learnings in one separate segment. Consequently, quickly revisit their biggest learnings, most frequent mistakes, and best strategies.
- A confident test-day mindset: When an aspirant has kept a clear record of their practice tests, has developed a structured feedback, followed by a strategy in order to effectively manage time.They will likely deliver a result-oriented attempt that will be unique to their competency.
8 Key Findings to Include in Mock Logbook:
Conversely to the common perception of “collection of scores,” a Mock Logbook is a tool that helps candidates reflect, correct and grow. The following points will help aspirants understand what to include in an effective logbook:
- Date of the Mock Test: Start every entry with the exact date you took the mock to track progress over time and identify trends.
- Test Number & Source: It is important to mention the mock test's number and origin. For example: Hitbullseye CAT Test 4, XYZ CAT 14, etc. to help recall the exam pattern, difficulty level and quality of the test.
- Overall Score: Keeping a record of raw score after each mock test helps the aspirant monitor their performance and be realistic about their performance, further, aligning improvement.
- Sectional Record-keeping (VARC / DILR / QA): Logging down section wise scores, and time log helps the candidate gain some clarity on how to manage time, where to focus and why you are stagnating in a particular section.
- Attempted vs Skipped: It is equally important to identify the total number of questions attempted in each section, followed by its score. The above record will help the candidates identify instinctive preferences and blind spots.
- Mistake Analysis: It is advisable that the candidate breaks down the silly mistakes (that can be avoided in following attempts) and conceptual errors (that can be a key to understanding gaps in approach), subsequently improving them.
- Key Learnings: Write down what this particular mock test taught you and consider it as a technique to avoid falling into a trap of repetition and reach breakthrough.
- Next Action Plan: Conclude each entry with a clear, actionable plan. Learn what works for you: whether it’s revisiting a chapter, practicing a question type, or changing your mock strategy…
A Quick Example to Get You Started
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Mock Name: HitBullseye Mock Attempt 3
Date: July 10, 2025 | Total Time: 2 hours 15 mins | Total Score: 89
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VARC
(w time)
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DILR
(w time)
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QA
(w time)
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Key Mistakes
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Learnings
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Next Step
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S: 28
T: 40
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S: 32
T: 45
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S: 29
T: 45
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Missed 1 DILR set
Rushed VARC
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Avoid last-minute guessing
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Reduce DILR and QA timings
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Mock Name: XZY CAT Mock Attempt 2
Date: July 12, 2025 | Total Time: 2 hours 05 mins | Total Score: 92
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VARC
(w time)
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DILR
(w time)
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QA
(w time)
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Key Mistakes
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Learnings
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Next Step
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S: 28
T: 40
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S: 34
T: 40
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S: 30
T: 40
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Missed 1 VARC question
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Avoid answering unless sure
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Reduce DILR and QA timings
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Consider Mock Logbook keeping as your personal preparation compass and use it to guide, inform and correct yourself. An aspirant’s journey to CAT success involves having a clear, focused and reflective approach.
Your CAT strategy isn’t built in one day — it’s built with every entry you log!