The Five Techniques Diagnostic Assessment Actually Runs On

Thirty-odd episodes in, and this is the one with no "plus X months." Diagnostic assessment isn't a numbered EEF Toolkit strand at all — it's a formative practice cutting across dozens of them. What survives the search instead: five specific, checkable techniques, from hinge questions to mini whiteboards, free to try before the next bell.

What's covered:

• The honest finding: no headline figure exists, because diagnostic assessment isn't its own Toolkit strand
• - Five concrete techniques: hinge questions, quizzing, mini whiteboards, targeted questioning stems, online question banks
• - Three named case-study schools and what their blog write-up does and doesn't report
• - Try it today: build one hinge question from a real misconception you've actually seen, for tomorrow's lesson

Actions for consideration:

• Build one hinge question from a real misconception you've actually seen, ready for tomorrow's lesson.
• - Don't wait for a headline figure that doesn't exist — pick from the five named techniques instead of a vague "check understanding more."
• - Use mini whiteboards or targeted questioning stems as a low-cost first step if hinge questions feel like a bigger change.
• - Be ready to name which technique you're using and why, if asked — not just that "assessment for learning happens here."

Printable one-pager for this episode, free: https://theeducationcommute.co.uk/#newsletter-staff

Two free newsletters, one for staff and one for parents and carers, same evidence written for the person reading it.

Sources:

• EEF blog: New case studies — Making effective use of diagnostic assessment: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/eef-blog-new-case-studies-making-effective-use-of-diagnostic-assessment
• - EEF blog: Five ways to use diagnostic assessment in the mathematics classroom: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/eef-blog-five-ways-to-use-diagnostic-assessment-in-the-mathematics-classroom

Disclosure: Both voices on this show are synthesised (NotebookLM, Google); the research, reading and editorial judgement are done by a serving practitioner.

Strand: Teachers