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CIE · IGCSE · Design and Technology

Free CIE IGCSE Design and Technology
Practice Paper

8 mixed-difficulty practice questions in the style of real CIE IGCSE papers — answers, mark-scheme-style explanations, and the official exam structure all on one page.

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What the real CIE IGCSE Design and Technology paper looks like

Paper 1 (Multiple Choice)
40 multiple-choice questions, 1 mark each. 45 minutes. Tests breadth of knowledge.
Paper 2 (Core) / Paper 4 (Extended)
Structured written paper. 1 hour 30 minutes (Core) or 1 hour 45 minutes (Extended). Tests depth of understanding and application.
Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical)
Written paper assessing practical skills for candidates without lab access. 1 hour. Worth ~20% of the total.
Total exam time: ~3 hours, depending on tier (Core vs Extended).
Grading: Grades: A* (highest) to G (lowest), with U (ungraded). Most universities require C or above.

Mini practice paper: 8 questions

Mixed-difficulty questions from across the Design and Technology syllabus. Tap "Show answer" after each to check yourself.

Q1 · Difficulty 1/3

Which design process stage involves producing rough sketches and written notes to first communicate initial ideas to others?

  1. Modelling and prototype making
  2. Generating initial ideas
  3. Evaluating against the specification
  4. Researching the design brief
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — Generating initial ideas
Generating initial ideas is the stage where designers use freehand sketches, notes, and rough drawings to communicate early concepts quickly. Modelling involves making physical representations of more developed ideas. Evaluating against the specification comes after ideas are developed. Researching the brief is the earlier stage of gathering information before ideas are generated.
Q2 · Difficulty 1/3

Polymers are commonly known as:

  1. metals
  2. woods
  3. ceramics
  4. plastics
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: D — plastics
Polymers are plastics.
Q3 · Difficulty 2/3

A renewable energy source that a responsible designer might use is:

  1. solar power
  2. coal
  3. oil
  4. natural gas
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A — solar power
Solar power is renewable.
Q4 · Difficulty 2/3

A device that turns a circuit on or off is a:

  1. resistor
  2. LED
  3. cell
  4. switch
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: D — switch
A switch opens or closes a circuit.
Q5 · Difficulty 2/3

A designer uses isometric drawing to present a developed idea. What is the main advantage of isometric drawing over freehand sketching at this stage?

  1. It is quicker to produce than a freehand sketch
  2. It is always produced using computer-aided design software
  3. It shows a three-dimensional view with accurate proportions and measurements
  4. It provides more colour information than other drawing techniques
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C — It shows a three-dimensional view with accurate proportions and measurements
Isometric drawing presents objects in three dimensions with consistent proportions along three axes at 30°, making dimensions more accurate and easier to interpret than freehand sketches. Freehand sketching is generally quicker to produce. Isometric drawings can be drawn by hand, not only using CAD. Colour is not specific to isometric drawing — any technique can include colour.
Q6 · Difficulty 2/3

A responsible designer thinks about the effect of their product on people and the:

  1. environment
  2. weather forecast
  3. stock market
  4. climate report only
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A — environment
Designers consider people and the environment.
Q7 · Difficulty 2/3

A designer draws a series of step-by-step illustrations showing how a product will be assembled by the user. What type of drawing is this?

  1. An orthographic projection drawing
  2. A schematic circuit diagram
  3. A perspective rendering
  4. A sequence or assembly drawing
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: D — A sequence or assembly drawing
A sequence or assembly drawing uses a series of numbered illustrations to communicate the order and method of assembling a product, often used in instruction manuals. Orthographic projection shows multiple 2D views (front, side, top) for manufacturing. A perspective rendering communicates 3D aesthetic appearance. A schematic diagram represents electrical circuits symbolically.
Q8 · Difficulty 2/3

Paper and board are made mainly from:

  1. clay
  2. wood pulp
  3. metal
  4. plastic
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — wood pulp
Paper is made from wood pulp.
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CIE IGCSE Design and Technology FAQ

What does the CIE IGCSE Design and Technology exam look like?
The CIE IGCSE Design and Technology exam is structured across 3 components. Paper 1 (Multiple Choice): 40 multiple-choice questions, 1 mark each. 45 minutes. Tests breadth of knowledge. Paper 2 (Core) / Paper 4 (Extended): Structured written paper. 1 hour 30 minutes (Core) or 1 hour 45 minutes (Extended). Tests depth of understanding and application. Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical): Written paper assessing practical skills for candidates without lab access. 1 hour. Worth ~20% of the total. Total exam time: ~3 hours, depending on tier (Core vs Extended).
Can I download a free CIE IGCSE Design and Technology past paper?
Real CIE past papers are published directly by CIE on their official website. Kramizo doesn't redistribute copyrighted past papers, but we do generate free AI-written practice papers in the exact same style — same command words, same difficulty tier, same mark conventions. Use this practice paper as warm-up, then time yourself on official past papers before exam day.
How is CIE IGCSE Design and Technology graded?
Grades: A* (highest) to G (lowest), with U (ungraded). Most universities require C or above. Kramizo's practice questions are tagged with difficulty 1-3 mapping roughly to the lower, middle, and top grade boundaries you'll encounter in the real exam.