Four informal assessment techniques to detect student mistakes in math, increase motivation, and improve achievement include the following: building models and generating word problems, thinking aloud, building mathematical sentences, and making mathematical sentences to answer questions in word problems. (DB)

The clinical interview can be a useful individualized assessment and remedial tool for students with difficulties in arithmetic. To use it effectively, the examiner must establish rapport with the student, discover his metacognitive strategies, and determine the student's optimum ability level. (JDD)