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IB Chemistry -- Diagnostic Guide

IB Chemistry, Diagnostic Guide

Section titled “IB Chemistry, Diagnostic Guide”

Coverage Map

Section titled “Coverage Map”
Diagnostic FileTopics CoveredSource Files
diag-atomic-structure.mdElectron configuration, quantum numbers, isotopes, ionisation energyatomic-structure-and-periodicity.md``atomic-theory.md
diag-periodicity.mdPeriodic trends, electronegativity, atomic/ionic radii, ionisation energy anomaliesperiodicity.md``atomic-structure-and-periodicity.md
diag-chemical-bonding.mdVSEPR, hybridisation, intermolecular forces, bond polarity, solubilitychemical-bonding-advanced.md``states-of-matter.md
diag-states-of-matter.mdGas laws, ideal gas deviations, Maxwell-Boltzmann, phase diagramsstates-of-matter.md
diag-acids-bases.mdpH calculations, buffers, Ka/Kb, polyprotic acids, titration curvesacids-bases-advanced.md
diag-redox.mdOxidation numbers, balancing equations, electrochemical cells, Nernst equationredox-advanced.md
diag-organic-chemistry.mdSN1/SN2, E1/E2, functional groups, mechanisms, stereochemistryorganic-chemistry-advanced.md
diag-measurement.mdUncertainty propagation, significant figures, graphical analysis, statisticsmeasurement-and-data-processing.md

Grading Rubric

Section titled “Grading Rubric”

PASS Criteria

Section titled “PASS Criteria”
  • Correctly solve at least 2 out of 3 Unit Tests with complete working
  • Correctly solve at least 2 out of 3 Integration Tests with complete working
  • Demonstrate proper use of significant figures throughout
  • Show clear, logical reasoning (not just the final answer)

PARTIAL Criteria

Section titled “PARTIAL Criteria”
  • Correctly solve 1—2 Unit Tests and 1 Integration Test
  • Shows understanding of the method but makes arithmetic or algebraic errors
  • Partially correct reasoning with some gaps in conceptual understanding
  • Inconsistent use of significant figures

FAIL Indicators

Section titled “FAIL Indicators”
  • Unable to solve any Unit Test completely
  • Fundamental misconceptions evident (e.g., wrong hybridisation, incorrect oxidation states)
  • Unable to start Integration Tests (cannot connect concepts across topics)
  • Systematic errors in unit conversions or algebra

Prerequisite Chains

Section titled “Prerequisite Chains”
Atomic Theory
  └── Atomic Structure and Periodicity
        ├── Periodicity
        ├── Chemical Bonding
        │     ├── States of Matter
        │     └── Organic Chemistry
        └── Redox Reactions
              └── Organic Chemistry


Stoichiometry (foundational -- not a separate diagnostic)
  ├── States of Matter
  ├── Acids and Bases
  ├── Redox Reactions
  └── Measurement and Data Processing

Recommended order of diagnostic completion:

  1. diag-atomic-structure — foundational concepts
  2. diag-periodicity — builds on atomic structure
  3. diag-chemical-bonding — requires periodicity understanding
  4. diag-states-of-matter — requires bonding understanding
  5. diag-acids-bases — requires stoichiometry and equilibrium
  6. diag-redox — requires oxidation number knowledge
  7. diag-organic-chemistry — requires bonding, mechanisms, and redox
  8. diag-measurement — applicable throughout; recommended last to assess lab skills

Timing Recommendations

Section titled “Timing Recommendations”
DiagnosticRecommended TimeNotes
diag-atomic-structure30 minutesFocus on electron configuration and quantum numbers
diag-periodicity25 minutesTrend explanations require careful reasoning
diag-chemical-bonding35 minutesVSEPR and force hierarchies take time
diag-states-of-matter30 minutesUnit conversions are a common time sink
diag-acids-bases40 minutesBuffer calculations are multi-step
diag-redox35 minutesBalancing equations is time-consuming
diag-organic-chemistry40 minutesMechanism drawing requires practice
diag-measurement35 minutesUncertainty propagation has many steps

Total recommended time: approximately 4.5 hours (spread across multiple sessions).

Full battery timing: Complete all 8 diagnostics over 3—4 sessions of 60—90 minutes each.

How to Use These Diagnostics

Section titled “How to Use These Diagnostics”
  1. Complete each diagnostic without referring to notes.
  2. Check solutions immediately after each question to identify gaps.
  3. If you score FAIL on a diagnostic, review the corresponding source file before retrying.
  4. If you score PARTIAL, focus on the specific misconceptions identified by the questions you missed.
  5. Integration Tests are the best indicator of exam readiness — they test whether you can connect concepts.

Summary

Section titled “Summary”

Worked Examples

Section titled “Worked Examples”

Common Pitfalls

Section titled “Common Pitfalls”
  • Confusing terminology or concepts that appear similar but have distinct meanings.
  • Overlooking key assumptions or boundary conditions that limit applicability.

See Also

Section titled “See Also”