Free Practice Questions for A-Level Design Technology
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Key Facts: A-Level Design Technology Exam
A*-E
Grading scale
Ofqual
May-June
Exam series
AQA, Edexcel, OCR timetable
50%
NEA project weighting on AQA 7552
AQA 7552 specification
100
Free practice questions here
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AQA, Edexcel, OCR A-Level Design and Technology is assessed through two written papers (50%) and a substantial NEA design-and-make project (50%). Content covers materials, manufacturing, design thinking, sustainability, mechanisms and electronics on 2026 specifications.
Sample A-Level Design Technology Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the A-Level Design Technology exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which property describes a material's ability to be drawn out into a thin wire without breaking?
2Paper weight is measured in gsm, while board thickness is measured in:
3Which of the following is classified as a softwood?
4MDF (medium density fibreboard) is best described as a:
5What is the main difference between low carbon steel and high carbon steel?
6Which of the following is a non-ferrous metal?
7Brass is an alloy of which two metals?
8Which polymer is a thermoset?
9Which polymer is commonly used for transparent drinks bottles?
10A shape-memory alloy (SMA) such as Nitinol can:
About the A-Level Design Technology Exam
A-Level Design and Technology (Product Design) is offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR. The AQA 7552 specification covers technical principles, designing and making principles, plus a substantial Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) project worth 50% of the qualification. Students study materials, manufacturing processes, mechanical and electronic systems, sustainability, and design history.
Exam sponsor: AQA, Edexcel, OCR. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
100 questions
Time Limit
5 hours total written papers (Paper 1: 3 hours, Paper 2: 2 hours) plus NEA project
Passing Score
Grade E is the minimum pass, Grades A*-E count as a pass
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Materials and their working properties
Papers and boards, timbers (hardwood/softwood/manufactured), metals (ferrous/non-ferrous/alloys), polymers (thermoplastics/thermosets), smart and modern materials, composites
Manufacturing processes and techniques
Forming, cutting and joining timber, metal and polymers; casting, welding, injection moulding, vacuum forming, CAD/CAM (laser, CNC, 3D printing); finishes and quality control
Design thinking and processes
Iterative and user-centred design, anthropometrics and ergonomics, primary/secondary research, design specification, sketching conventions and orthographic projection
Industry, enterprise, sustainability and environment
6 Rs, life cycle assessment, planned and perceived obsolescence, circular economy, BSI/CE/UKCA, ISO 9001 and 14001, Fairtrade, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
Mechanical and electronic systems
Levers, gears, cams, pulleys, linkages, structures, electronic components (resistor, capacitor, LED, transistor, op-amp, microcontroller), sensors and logic gates
Designers, design history and movements
Bauhaus, Memphis Group, Modernism, Arts & Crafts, Eames, Dieter Rams, Philippe Starck, Jonathan Ive, James Dyson, William Morris, Alessi, IKEA
Maths in design
Gear ratios, mechanical advantage, velocity ratio, stress (force/area), Young's modulus, percentage yield
Preparing for the A-Level Design Technology Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Grade E is the minimum pass, Grades A*-E count as a pass
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: 5 hours total written papers (Paper 1: 3 hours, Paper 2: 2 hours) plus NEA project
- Exam / certification fees: £75-£130 per subject (school-set entry fee) Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
A-Level Design Technology: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What exam boards offer A-Level Design and Technology?
A-Level Design and Technology (Product Design) is offered by AQA (7552), Edexcel/Pearson and OCR. All follow Ofqual subject content but vary in NEA briefs, optional materials focus, and paper structure.
When is the A-Level Design Technology exam taken?
Written papers are sat in the May-June series at the end of the two-year linear A-Level course. The NEA project is completed across Year 13 and submitted in spring of the final year.
How is A-Level Design Technology graded?
A-Levels are graded A*-E with A* being the highest and E the minimum pass. On AQA 7552 the written papers contribute 50% and the NEA project contributes 50% of the final mark.
How many papers does A-Level Design Technology have?
AQA 7552 has two written papers: Paper 1 (3 hours, 120 marks) on technical principles and Paper 2 (2 hours, 80 marks) on designing and making principles, plus the NEA worth 100 marks.