specification overview
Cambridge IGCSE Design & Technology (0445) is a single-tier linear qualification with three components. All candidates take Paper 1 Product Design (1h 15m, 50 marks, 25%) and Component 2 Project (school-based, 100 marks, 50%), plus ONE specialist option paper (1 hour, 50 marks, 25%) from Paper 3 Resistant Materials, Paper 4 Systems & Control, or Paper 5 Graphic Products.
subject content
1. Design in context
Paper 1- The nature of design, sustainability, evaluation of existing products
- Iterative design, user-centred design, design and market context
2. Product analysis
Paper 1- Analysis of existing products (form, function, materials, manufacture)
- Life cycle analysis, ergonomics and anthropometrics
3. Materials and processes
Paper 1- Common materials (papers, timber, metals, polymers, textiles) and their properties
- Common processes: cutting, shaping, joining, finishing
4. Specialist option (chosen area)
Paper 3 / 4 / 5- Resistant Materials (timber, metals, polymers) OR Systems & Control OR Graphic Products
- In-depth material properties, processes and applications
- CAD/CAM, manufacturing scales (one-off, batch, mass)
5. Design Project
Component 2- Choose a design context, produce a brief and specification
- Generate and develop design ideas, plan manufacture, make final product
- Test and evaluate against specification
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Product Design) | Common Product Design content: design in context, product analysis, common materials and processes | 1h 15m | 50 | 25% | Written/drawing paper answered on pre-printed A3 insert sheets; candidates answer ONE question from a choice of three (the three questions are set in Resistant Materials, Systems & Control and Graphic Products contexts, but any may be answered) |
| Component 2 (Project) | Design and manufacture a product from brief through evaluation | School-based, completed across the course | 100 | 50% | Design folder plus a finished manufactured product. Internally assessed, externally moderated by Cambridge |
| One specialist option: Paper 3 (Resistant Materials) / Paper 4 (Systems & Control) / Paper 5 (Graphic Products) | Chosen specialist option content plus Common Product Design content | 1h | 50 | 25% | Section A: compulsory questions (25 marks) - 10 questions in Paper 3, a maximum of 12 in Paper 4, 3 in Paper 5. Section B (25 marks): choose 1 from 3 structured questions in Papers 3 and 4, or 1 from 2 in Paper 5 |
Cambridge specialist options: Resistant Materials, Systems & Control, or Graphic Products. Choice is decided at start of the course and drives which specialist option paper (Paper 3, 4 or 5) the candidate sits. Note: Systems & Control is being removed from the 2028-2030 syllabus.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Knowledge and understanding of design and technology. | 30% |
| AO2 | Application of design and making principles. | 50% |
| AO3 | Analysis and evaluation of design decisions and outcomes. | 20% |
key tips for success
Choose your specialist option carefully
Your choice from Resistant Materials, Systems & Control or Graphic Products decides which specialist option paper (Paper 3, 4 or 5, worth 25%) you sit and shapes your project. Pick something you can also make well.
Start Component 2 early
Component 2 (the school-based Project) is worth 50%. Start planning in Year 10 term 1 so you have time for design iteration and quality manufacture.
Learn common Product Design content broadly
Paper 1 tests Common Product Design content across materials, processes and analysis. Don't over-focus on your specialist option, Paper 1 rewards general knowledge.
Practise product analysis
Paper 1 always has product analysis questions. Practise breaking down existing products by form, function, materials and manufacturing process.
Draw isometric and orthographic clearly
Both the specialist option paper and Component 2 reward clear technical drawing. Practise isometric projection and third-angle orthographic under time pressure.
Structure the project to Cambridge's marking criteria
Component 2 has strict mark bands per section (brief, ideas, development, manufacture, evaluation). Follow the mark scheme structure.
Where to next
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