What term describes mistakes made during an exam due to lack of attention?

The term "careless mistakes" refers to errors that occur not due to a misunderstanding of the material or lack of knowledge, but rather because the individual fails to pay sufficient attention while working through the questions. These mistakes can happen from misreading questions, skipping steps, or overlooking details that are critical for arriving at the correct answer. Being mentally distracted, rushing through answers without thorough scanning, or simply not focusing on the task at hand leads to these errors.

In contrast, the other terms do not capture the specific nature of the mistakes resulting from a lack of attention. "Focus errors" implies a broader range of issues that may include distractions but does not distinctly highlight the careless nature of these mistakes. "Time mismanagement" pertains to issues related to allocating time efficiently during an exam, which affects performance differently than carelessness. "Distraction errors" might imply mistakes due to external distractions, rather than the internal lack of attention or rushing that careless mistakes suggest. Thus, "careless mistakes" precisely encapsulates the definition of errors made due to inattention during the exam.