Mathematics Diagnostic Probe Calibration | Testing Question Accuracy

A good diagnostic Mathematics question should reveal something useful about the learner’s understanding. It should not be trusted simply because it looks clever.

What makes a diagnostic question useful?

• Different responses should genuinely suggest different explanations.
• The wording should not give away the intended diagnosis.
• Student working and explanation should matter, not only the final answer.
• The interpretation should be checked against later evidence.
• The question should be abandoned or revised if it repeatedly misleads.

In other words, diagnostic questions themselves need testing. This public page describes the principle; Bukit Timah Tutor keeps its detailed internal calibration process private.