A-Level Physics Diagnostic Guide

Overview

This diagnostic suite contains 20 topic-level tests for A-Level Physics. Each test comprises 3 unit tests (single-topic, maximum difficulty) and 3 integration tests (multi-topic synthesis). The questions target the hardest material within the A-Level specification and are designed to expose deep misconceptions.

Topic Coverage Map

#	File	Topic	Section
1	diag-quantities-units.md	Quantities and Units	Mechanics
2	diag-kinematics.md	Kinematics	Mechanics
3	diag-dynamics.md	Dynamics	Mechanics
4	diag-work-energy-power.md	Work, Energy and Power	Mechanics
5	diag-momentum.md	Momentum	Mechanics
6	diag-circular-motion.md	Circular Motion	Mechanics
7	diag-oscillations.md	Oscillations	Mechanics
8	diag-gravitational-fields.md	Gravitational Fields	Mechanics
9	diag-properties-of-materials.md	Properties of Materials	Mechanics
10	diag-current-resistance.md	Current and Resistance	Electricity
11	diag-dc-circuits.md	DC Circuits	Electricity
12	diag-capacitance.md	Capacitance	Electricity
13	diag-wave-properties.md	Wave Properties	Waves
14	diag-superposition-interference.md	Superposition and Interference	Waves
15	diag-refraction-total-internal-reflection.md	Refraction and TIR	Waves
16	diag-electric-fields.md	Electric Fields	Fields
17	diag-magnetic-fields.md	Magnetic Fields	Fields
18	diag-electromagnetism-unification.md	Electromagnetism Unification	Fields
19	diag-radioactivity.md	Radioactivity	Nuclear and Particle
20	diag-nuclear-energy.md	Nuclear Energy	Nuclear and Particle

Prerequisite Chains

Quantities and Units
  └── Kinematics
        └── Dynamics
              ├── Work, Energy and Power
              ├── Momentum
              ├── Circular Motion
              └── Oscillations

Properties of Materials
  └── (supports Dynamics, Work-Energy)

Current and Resistance
  └── DC Circuits
        └── Capacitance

Wave Properties
  └── Superposition and Interference
        └── Refraction and TIR

Electric Fields
  ├── Magnetic Fields
  └── Electromagnetism Unification

Radioactivity
  └── Nuclear Energy

Critical dependency notes:

• Kinematics must be mastered before Dynamics.
• Dynamics underpins Work-Energy, Momentum, Circular Motion, and Oscillations.
• Electric Fields is required before Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism Unification.
• Superposition and Interference requires Wave Properties.
• Nuclear Energy builds on Radioactivity.

Integration Test Cross-References

Integration tests explicitly combine two or more topics. The following matrix shows which topics appear in integration tests across the suite:

Primary Topic	Integration Partners
Quantities and Units	Kinematics, Dynamics
Kinematics	Dynamics, Circular Motion
Dynamics	Work-Energy, Momentum
Work-Energy	Momentum, Gravitational Fields
Momentum	Circular Motion, Kinematics
Circular Motion	Gravitational Fields, Oscillations
Oscillations	Wave Properties, Capacitance
Gravitational Fields	Electric Fields, Circular Motion
Properties of Materials	Dynamics, Work-Energy
Current and Resistance	DC Circuits, Electric Fields
DC Circuits	Capacitance, Current and Resistance
Capacitance	Oscillations, DC Circuits
Wave Properties	Superposition, Oscillations
Superposition	Refraction/TIR, Wave Properties
Refraction/TIR	Wave Properties, Electric Fields
Electric Fields	Magnetic Fields, Gravitational Fields
Magnetic Fields	Electromagnetism, Electric Fields
Electromagnetism	Magnetic Fields, Wave Properties
Radioactivity	Nuclear Energy, Quantities and Units
Nuclear Energy	Radioactivity, Gravitational Fields

Grading Rubric

Per-Question Scoring

Each question (unit or integration) is scored on a 0--4 scale:

Score	Descriptor
0	No meaningful attempt, or fundamental misconception evident
1	Correct approach identified but major errors in execution
2	Substantially correct method with one significant error
3	Correct method, minor arithmetical or notational error
4	Fully correct solution with appropriate working and sig figs

Diagnostic Classification

For each topic test (6 questions, max 24 marks):

Total Score	Classification	Interpretation
22--24	Secure	Topic fully mastered; ready for extension
18--21	Proficient	Sound understanding; minor gaps to address
13--17	Developing	Core concepts present but inconsistent application
8--12	Emerging	Significant gaps; foundational revision needed
0--7	Not Started	Major revision required; return to prerequisite topics

Unit vs Integration Analysis

• Unit test score significantly higher than integration score: Student can apply procedures in isolation but struggles with cross-topic synthesis. Focus on mixed-topic practice.
• Integration test score higher than unit test score: Unusual but may indicate stronger conceptual understanding than procedural fluency. Focus on technique.
• Both scores low: Return to prerequisite chain and rebuild from earlier topics.

Recommended Diagnostic Workflow

1. Begin with diag-quantities-units.md. If score is below 13, revise before proceeding.
2. Work through prerequisite chains in order.
3. After completing a topic, attempt its integration tests to check cross-topic fluency.
4. Revisit any topic where the gap between unit and integration scores exceeds 4 marks.
5. Use the prerequisite chains to identify whether a low score stems from an earlier topic.

Key Misconceptions Index

Topic	Misconception	Diagnostic Test
Quantities/Units	Dimensional analysis errors	UT-2
Quantities/Units	Systematic vs random uncertainty	UT-3
Kinematics	Displacement vs distance on sign reversal	UT-2
Kinematics	Projectile sign convention errors	IT-1
Dynamics	Friction inequality vs equality	UT-2
Dynamics	Newton's 3rd law pair identification	UT-3
Work-Energy	Work done by friction is negative	UT-1
Work-Energy	Power = Fv not F/t	UT-3
Momentum	Sign convention for velocity direction	UT-2
Momentum	Vector nature of momentum	IT-1
Circular Motion	Centripetal force is not a separate force	UT-1
Circular Motion	Vertical circles: speed varies	IT-1
Oscillations	SHM condition $a = -\omega^2 x$	UT-1
Oscillations	Resonance vs damping trade-off	IT-2
Gravitational Fields	$g$ at surface vs $g$ at height	UT-1
Gravitational Fields	Gravitational potential is negative	UT-3
Materials	Stress vs strain confusion	UT-1
Materials	Elastic limit vs proportional limit	UT-3
Current/Resistance	V=IR for ohmic conductors only	UT-2
Current/Resistance	Resistivity formula application	UT-3
DC Circuits	Internal resistance effect on terminal voltage	UT-1
DC Circuits	Potential divider with load	UT-2
Capacitance	Energy stored vs energy supplied by battery	UT-3
Capacitance	RC time constant	IT-1
Wave Properties	Intensity proportional to amplitude squared	UT-2
Wave Properties	EM wave speed in vacuum	IT-1
Superposition	Path difference for constructive/destructive	UT-1
Superposition	Diffraction grating vs double slit	IT-2
Refraction/TIR	Critical angle derivation	UT-2
Refraction/TIR	TIR only from denser to less dense	UT-3
Electric Fields	$E = -\frac{dV}{dr}$ sign	UT-3
Electric Fields	Field lines vs equipotentials	IT-1
Magnetic Fields	Fleming's left hand rule	UT-1
Magnetic Fields	Lenz's law direction	UT-3
Electromagnetism	Faraday's law vs Lenz's law	UT-1
Electromagnetism	Transformer equations	IT-2
Radioactivity	Activity = $\lambda N$ not $\lambda N_0$	UT-2
Radioactivity	Beta decay neutrino	UT-3
Nuclear Energy	Binding energy per nucleon curve	UT-2
Nuclear Energy	Mass defect = binding energy	UT-1