IB Chemistry — Diagnostic Guide

Coverage Map

Diagnostic File	Topics Covered	Source Files
diag-atomic-structure.md	Electron configuration, quantum numbers, isotopes, ionisation energy	atomic-structure-and-periodicity.md, atomic-theory.md
diag-periodicity.md	Periodic trends, electronegativity, atomic/ionic radii, ionisation energy anomalies	periodicity.md, atomic-structure-and-periodicity.md
diag-chemical-bonding.md	VSEPR, hybridisation, intermolecular forces, bond polarity, solubility	chemical-bonding-advanced.md, states-of-matter.md
diag-states-of-matter.md	Gas laws, ideal gas deviations, Maxwell-Boltzmann, phase diagrams	states-of-matter.md
diag-acids-bases.md	pH calculations, buffers, Ka/Kb, polyprotic acids, titration curves	acids-bases-advanced.md
diag-redox.md	Oxidation numbers, balancing equations, electrochemical cells, Nernst equation	redox-advanced.md
diag-organic-chemistry.md	SN1/SN2, E1/E2, functional groups, mechanisms, stereochemistry	organic-chemistry-advanced.md
diag-measurement.md	Uncertainty propagation, significant figures, graphical analysis, statistics	measurement-and-data-processing.md

Grading Rubric

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

• 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

• 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

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

Diagnostic	Recommended Time	Notes
diag-atomic-structure	30 minutes	Focus on electron configuration and quantum numbers
diag-periodicity	25 minutes	Trend explanations require careful reasoning
diag-chemical-bonding	35 minutes	VSEPR and force hierarchies take time
diag-states-of-matter	30 minutes	Unit conversions are a common time sink
diag-acids-bases	40 minutes	Buffer calculations are multi-step
diag-redox	35 minutes	Balancing equations is time-consuming
diag-organic-chemistry	40 minutes	Mechanism drawing requires practice
diag-measurement	35 minutes	Uncertainty 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

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.