A memory control module includes a format module that communicates with a memory array that includes B memory blocks each including P physical pages and Q logical pages. The format module selects X predetermined locations to write pilot data and read-back pilot signals in each of the B memory blocks. B, P, Q and X are integers greater than or equal to 1. The memory control module also includes a signal processing module that compares the written pilot data to the read-back pilot signals and that determines variations between the written pilot data and the read-back pilot signals based on the comparison.