Y11 Feb & Nov Mock Guidance

Y11 February and November Mock - Product Design Guidance

Guidance

What's assessed

Core technical principles
Specialist technical principles
Designing and making principles

How it's assessed

Written exam: 2 hours
100 marks
50% of GCSE

Questions

Section A – Core technical principles (20 marks)

A mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions assessing a breadth of technical knowledge and understanding.

Section B – Specialist technical principles (30 marks)

Several short answer questions (2–5 marks) and one extended response to assess a more in depth knowledge of technical principles.

Section C – Designing and making principles (50 marks)

A mixture of short answer and extended response questions.

Re-learn & Practice

Generally helpful websites - https://www.technologystudent.com/despro_flsh/NEW_GCSE3.html

The ‘Re-learn’ column contains links from which you can improve your understanding of topics

The ‘Practice’ column contains links to do questions (and check answers) ahead of the assessment.

Topics to revise	Re-learn	Practice
Material properties (timbers, metals and plastics)	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zjgyb82/revision/3	What are some key properties of timbers that make them suitable for use in construction? Compare the properties of metals and plastics. In which applications would metals be preferable, and in which cases would plastics be more suitable? How do the physical properties of plastics differ from those of natural timbers? Explain how material properties influence the choice of material in product design.
Material uses	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7gLvEYoBu0&t=11s3	What are some common uses of timbers in everyday products and structures? Why are metals often used in the production of vehicles and machinery? How do the uses of plastics differ based on their material properties?
Function of materials		How does the function of a material impact the choice of which material to use in a product? Give an example of a product where the function dictated the use of a specific material.
Aesthetic quality of materials		Why might the aesthetic qualities of a material be as important as its physical properties? How does the visual appeal of materials influence consumer choices?
Choosing materials based on their properties		How does the durability of a material affect its selection for outdoor use? What properties of metals make them suitable for structural applications? Explain how the weight of a material influences its application in transportation.
Fairtrade	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8LC3PJ-7r4	What does Fairtrade certification guarantee about the sourcing of materials? How does Fairtrade contribute to ethical consumerism? In what ways can choosing Fairtrade materials impact workers' rights and conditions?
6R’s	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxFYM0Vno80	List and explain the 6R's of sustainability. How does reducing material waste contribute to environmental sustainability? What role does recycling play in reducing the environmental impact of materials?
Sustainability	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99VrWNJyJ3E	How can designers ensure that their products are more sustainable in the long term? Why is sustainability a key concern in modern material selection? Give an example of how a sustainable material can be used in a product design.
Environmental impact of materials	https://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/engex.htm	What are the environmental impacts of using non-recyclable plastics in product manufacturing? How can the extraction and processing of metals affect the environment? What are some ways to minimize the environmental impact of materials during the product lifecycle?
Social impact – methods of labour, ethics etc	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zn4bcj6/revision/1	How do ethical labour practices influence the sourcing of materials? In what ways can poor working conditions in material production affect society? Why is it important to consider the social impact of materials used in products?
Product analysis	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zbn6pbk/revision/5	What are the key elements to consider during a product analysis? How does functionality influence the product analysis process? Why is customer feedback crucial in evaluating the success of a product?
Technology push	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2vEEtwT5_o	What is the definition of technology push, and how does it drive innovation? Can you provide an example of a product developed due to technology push? What are the challenges companies face when relying on technology push?
Market pull	https://www.technologystudent.com/prddes1/marketpull1.html	How does market pull differ from technology push in terms of product development? Why is market research important for companies responding to market pull? Can you give an example of a product developed due to market pull?
Product comparison	https://www.technologystudent.com/despro2/prod_cp1.html	What criteria should be used when comparing two similar products? How does price factor into the product comparison process? Why is it important to compare the durability and sustainability of products?
Automation	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEhuxYXPTOE&t=191s	How has automation impacted modern manufacturing processes? What are the advantages and disadvantages of automation in industries? How can automation improve product quality and reduce production time?
CAD	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edplvB_Xvso	What is CAD and how has it transformed the design process in manufacturing? What are the benefits of using CAD over traditional drawing methods? Can you describe how CAD helps in simulating and testing designs before manufacturing?
Joinery/manufacturing materials	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qutTkJ4rO8&t=20s	What are the most common types of joinery used in product manufacturing? How do different manufacturing materials affect the choice of joinery techniques? Can you explain the importance of precision when using joinery in manufacturing?
Specialist tools	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYBhvyN-uMQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKRO4iaOFD0	What are specialist tools, and why are they essential in certain manufacturing processes? Can you describe the role of precision tools in joinery and assembly? How do specialist tools improve efficiency in product manufacturing?
Adhesives and finishes	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFwWrAq47io https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPMwGzJHwko	What are the common types of adhesives used in product manufacturing, and when should each be applied? How do finishes improve the aesthetic and functional aspects of a product? What safety precautions should be taken when working with adhesives and finishes?
Health/safety	https://www.technologystudent.com/prddes1/healthandsaf1.html	Why is health and safety crucial in the design and manufacturing process? What are the common risks in manufacturing environments, and how can they be mitigated? How do government regulations influence health and safety protocols in manufacturing?
Manufacturing processes	https://www.technologystudent.com/prddes1/waste1.html#google_vignette	What are the most common manufacturing processes, and how are they chosen based on product type? How do waste management and recycling affect the manufacturing process? Can you explain the advantages of using automated manufacturing processes over manual ones?
Quality control processes	https://www.technologystudent.com/prddes1/qual2.html	What role does quality control play in ensuring product consistency? What are the common quality control techniques used in manufacturing? Why is it important to perform quality checks at various stages of production?
Scales of production	https://www.technologystudent.com/pdf14/display5.pdf	What are the different scales of production, and how do they affect cost and efficiency? How does batch production differ from mass production in terms of flexibility and product variation? What factors determine the most suitable scale of production for a product?
Advantages and disadvantages of modelling/prototyping	https://www.technologystudent.com/prddes1/prototype1.html	What are the advantages of creating prototypes before mass production? How can prototyping help identify potential design flaws? What are the limitations of relying on models and prototypes in the design process?
Scaling	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z6jkw6f/revision/1	What is scaling, and why is it essential in product development? How does scaling influence the design and manufacturing of a product? Can you provide an example where improper scaling caused issues in production?
Drawing techniques	https://www.technologystudent.com/prddes1/persy2.html	What are the basic principles of perspective drawing in product design? How does accurate technical drawing assist in communicating product ideas? What is the difference between freehand sketching and precise technical drawing?
Isometric/orthographic drawing	https://www.technologystudent.com/prddes1/orthogrp1.html https://www.technologystudent.com/prddes1/drawtec2.html	What is the difference between isometric and orthographic drawing, and when is each used? Why are orthographic projections important in communicating detailed designs? How does isometric drawing help visualize 3D objects in a 2D space?
2D/3D drawing	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lRJL3xLShI	What are the advantages of using 3D drawing tools over traditional 2D methods? How does 2D drawing still play a role in modern design processes? Can you explain how both 2D and 3D drawings complement each other in product development?
Sustainability	https://www.technologystudent.com/prddes1/prodcyc1.html	What is sustainability in product design, and why is it increasingly important? How can the choice of materials impact a product’s environmental footprint? What are some strategies companies can use to create more sustainable products?
Planned obsolescence	https://www.technologystudent.com/prddes1/plannedob1.html	What is planned obsolescence, and how does it influence consumer behavior? How do companies balance product durability with planned obsolescence? Can you provide examples of industries where planned obsolescence is common?
Design for maintenance	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rqb9XlYT94	What is design for maintenance, and how does it differ from traditional design approaches? Why is designing products for easy maintenance beneficial for consumers and manufacturers? How can companies integrate maintenance considerations into the early stages of design?