Years 6 & 7
Examination Board: Pearson
Assessment:
Unit 1 – 50% of A Level
This involves the students producing a design folder and a 2D and 3D practical outcome on their suggested design solution. This is completed during the 7th year. It is produced under supervised sessions.
Unit 2 – 50% of A level
A terminal examination based on the knowledge acquired throughout the two-year course
Course structure
Breakdown of Assessment Objectives Component Assessment Objectives:
- Identify, investigate and outline design possibilities to address needs and wants 15%
- Design and make prototypes that are fit for purpose 25%
- Analyse and evaluate • design decisions and outcomes, including for prototypes made by themselves and other • wider issues in design and technology 25%
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of • technical principles • design and making principles 35%
Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology – 1st year-15%, 2nd year- 35% = 50%
Component 2: Independent Design and Make Project – 1st Term- 15%, 2nd Term- 25%, 3rd Term- 10% – 50%
Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology (Paper code: 9DT0/01)
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes 50% of the qualification 120 marks
Content overview
- Topic 1: Materials
- Topic 2: Performance characteristics of materials
- Topic 3: Processes and techniques
- Topic 4: Digital technologies
- Topic 5: Factors influencing the development of products
- Topic 6: Effects of technological developments
- Topic 7: Potential hazards and risk assessment
- Topic 8: Features of manufacturing industries
- Topic 9: Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment
- Topic 10: Current legislation
- Topic 11: Information handling, Modelling and forward planning
- Topic 12: Further processes and techniques.
- Topic 13: Historical content
- Topic 14: Electronics and Mechanisms
Assessment overview
The paper includes calculations, short-open and open-response questions. as well as extended-writing questions focused on: o Analysis and evaluation of design decisions and outcomes, against a technical principle, for prototypes made by others o Analysis and evaluation of wider issues in design technology, including social, moral, ethical and environmental impacts. • Students must answer all questions. • Students must have calculators and rulers in the examination.
Component 2: Independent Design and Make Project (Paper code: 9DT0/02) Non-examined assessment 50% of the qualification 120 marks
Content overview
- Students individually and/or in consultation with a client identify a problem and design context.
- Students will develop a range of potential solutions which include the use of computer-aided design and evidence of modelling.
- Students will be expected to make decisions about the designing and development of the prototype in conjunction with the opinions of the user group or client.
- Students will realise one potential solution through practical making activities with evidence of project management and plan for production.
- Students will incorporate issues related to sustainability and the impact their prototype may have on the environment
- Students are expected to analyse and evaluate design decisions and outcomes for prototypes/products made by themselves and others
- Students are expected to analyse and evaluate of wider issues in design technology, including social, moral, ethical and environmental impacts.
Assessment overview
- The investigation report is internally assessed and externally moderated
- Students will produce a substantial design, make and evaluate project which consists of a portfolio and a prototype
- The portfolio will contain approximately 40 sides of A3 paper (or electronic equivalent)
