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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

Polymers are commonly known as:

  1. metals
  2. woods
  3. ceramics
  4. plastics
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: D — plastics
Polymers are plastics.
Q2 · 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.
Q3 · Difficulty 2/3

A design brief usually states what to make and who it is:

  1. for
  2. against
  3. priced
  4. printed
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A — for
The brief states what and who it is for.
Q4 · Difficulty 2/3

A short statement of the problem a designer must solve is the design:

  1. logo
  2. sketch
  3. brief
  4. budget
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C — brief
The design brief states the problem.
Q5 · Difficulty 2/3

A student tests whether their prototype chair can support a load of 100 kg without breaking. Which stage of the design process does this activity best represent?

  1. Generating initial ideas
  2. Writing the design specification
  3. Producing annotated sketches
  4. Evaluating the prototype against the specification
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: D — Evaluating the prototype against the specification
Testing whether the prototype meets a specific performance criterion (supporting 100 kg) is an example of evaluating the prototype against a measurable specification point. Writing the specification involves setting the 100 kg criterion, not testing it. Generating ideas and annotating sketches are earlier creative stages before any physical prototype exists.
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 synthetic (man-made) fibre is:

  1. linen
  2. polyester
  3. cotton
  4. wool
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — polyester
Polyester is synthetic.
Q8 · Difficulty 2/3

Recycling paper helps to save trees and reduce:

  1. electricity only
  2. water only
  3. time only
  4. waste
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: D — waste
Recycling paper reduces waste.
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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.