Methods and apparatus are provided for identifying which symbol within a codeword corresponds to an information state read from a problematic memory cell. A method can include applying a programming signal to a memory cell, and determining whether the programming signal programs the memory cell approximately within an operational range of a physical property of the memory cell. The method can include identifying which symbol within a codeword corresponds to an information state read from the memory cell, if the memory cell was not programmed approximately within the operational range of the physical property. Identifying the symbol can be done with a flag in the codeword.