How is AQA GCSE Design & Technology assessed?

One written paper (2h, 100 marks) is 50%. Non-exam assessment (design and make a prototype, 100 marks) is 50%. Written paper sat in May/June. NEA runs from June (Year 10) to March (Year 11).

AQA releases contextual challenges annually on 1 June the year before your exam. You pick one, then design and make a prototype in response, keeping a portfolio of design work (format is flexible). Internally marked, moderated by AQA. 100 marks total across 6 sections.

What are the specialist material options?

Six areas: papers and boards, timber-based materials, metal-based materials, polymers, textile-based materials, electronic and mechanical systems. Your school picks one at the start of the course. Section B of Paper 1 tests only your chosen material.

How is the written paper structured?

Three sections. Section A (20 marks) is core technical principles: MCQs and short answers on materials, energy, systems, mechanical devices. Section B (30 marks) is specialist technical principles for your chosen material. Section C (50 marks) is designing and making principles with extended-response essays.

How does AQA differ from OCR GCSE D&T?

Both are 50% written / 50% NEA. AQA (8552) tests one chosen specialist material in Section B; OCR (J310) tests two materials. Content is comparable. Your school picks based on facility and staffing.

Does Cognito cover AQA GCSE Design & Technology?

Cognito has past papers and mark schemes for AQA GCSE Design & Technology (8552). Use them for timed practice and check your answers against the official mark schemes as you go.

AQA GCSE Design & Technology (8552) Specification

AQA GCSE Design & Technology (8552) is a single-tier linear qualification with one 2h written paper (Paper 1) worth 50% and a non-exam assessment (Design and Make) worth 50%. The NEA is contextual, released by AQA on 1 June before the exam year, and expects students to design and make a prototype product.

Download the official spec (PDF)

specification overview

1. Core technical principles
Paper 1
- New and emerging technologies
- Energy generation and storage
- Modern and smart materials, systems approach to designing
- Mechanical devices, materials and their working properties
2. Specialist technical principles
Paper 1
- In-depth focus on one material category (paper/boards, timber, metals, polymers, textiles, or electronics)
- Selection of materials, forces and stresses, ecological/social footprint
- Sources, origins, physical and working properties; stock forms/types/sizes
3. Designing and making principles
Paper 1
- Investigation, primary and secondary data, environmental considerations
- The work of others (past and present designers, design movements)
- Design strategies, communication of ideas, prototype development, material management, specialist tools and equipment
4. Non-exam assessment (Design and Make)
NEA
- Investigating design possibilities (AQA-released contextual challenge)
- Producing a design brief and specification, generating and developing design ideas
- Realising design ideas (making a prototype); analysing and evaluating

subject content

Paper	What's assessed	Length	Marks	Weight	Question types
Paper 1 (Written)	Core technical principles, specialist technical principles, designing and making principles	2h	100	50%	Section A: Core technical principles (20 marks multiple-choice and short-answer). Section B: Specialist technical principles (30 marks). Section C: Designing and making principles (50 marks with extended-response questions)
Non-exam assessment (Design and Make)	Design and manufacture a prototype in response to AQA's contextual challenge	~30-35 hours	100	50%	Portfolio of design work (format flexible) plus a finished prototype. Internally marked, moderated by AQA

PaperPaper 1 (Written)

What's assessedCore technical principles, specialist technical principles, designing and making principles

Length2h

Marks100

Weight50%

Question typesSection A: Core technical principles (20 marks multiple-choice and short-answer). Section B: Specialist technical principles (30 marks). Section C: Designing and making principles (50 marks with extended-response questions)

PaperNon-exam assessment (Design and Make)

What's assessedDesign and manufacture a prototype in response to AQA's contextual challenge

Length~30-35 hours

Marks100

Weight50%

Question typesPortfolio of design work (format flexible) plus a finished prototype. Internally marked, moderated by AQA

AQA releases the NEA contextual challenge on 1 June the year before the exam. Students then have from September to March to complete the design portfolio and prototype. Choice of specialist material area is decided at the start of Year 10 and shapes Section B of Paper 1.

assessment structure

AO	What it means	Overall
AO1	Identify, investigate and outline design possibilities to address needs and wants.	10%
AO2	Design and make prototypes that are fit for purpose.	30%
AO3	Analyse and evaluate design decisions and outcomes, including for prototypes made by themselves and others; wider issues in design and technology.	20%
AO4	Demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of technical principles and designing and making principles.	40%

AOAO1

What it meansIdentify, investigate and outline design possibilities to address needs and wants.

Overall10%

AOAO2

What it meansDesign and make prototypes that are fit for purpose.

Overall30%

AOAO3

What it meansAnalyse and evaluate design decisions and outcomes, including for prototypes made by themselves and others; wider issues in design and technology.

Overall20%

AOAO4

What it meansDemonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of technical principles and designing and making principles.

Overall40%

assessment objectives

Start the NEA immediately
The NEA opens on 1 June. Start investigating on day one and treat it like a real design project, don't leave it until Christmas.
Choose your specialist material carefully
Section B of Paper 1 is your specialist material area (timber, polymers, textiles, etc.). Pick something you can also use for the NEA prototype.
Draw and annotate every idea
AQA rewards clear sketches with function annotations. Practise isometric and orthographic projection so you can communicate designs quickly.
Learn named designers and movements
Section C tests the work of others: Bauhaus, Modernism, Ettore Sottsass, Philippe Starck. Learn 5-6 named designers with dates and works.
Master materials properties tables
Section B expects specific knowledge of your material's properties (density, hardness, melting point, workability). Learn a comparison table.
Time-box NEA sections
Portfolio has strict mark allocations per section. Don't over-invest in one section at the expense of another. Follow AQA's mark scheme percentages.

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GCSE Design & Technology (8552) Specification

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