Edexcel A Level Design & Technology (Product Design) specification (9DT0)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel A Level Design & Technology (Product Design) exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Edexcel A Level Design & Technology (Product Design) specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official Edexcel A Level Design & Technology (Product Design) (9DT0) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official Edexcel specification PDF.
Specification overview
This A Level qualification in Design & Technology (Product Design) from Pearson Edexcel equips students with the knowledge and skills to investigate, design, prototype and evaluate products. Emphasis is placed on solving real-world problems through user-centred and sustainable design practices, while building strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes and digital technologies. Students develop technical accuracy, creative confidence, and critical thinking, preparing them for higher education and careers in design, engineering, manufacturing and related sectors.
Subject content breakdown
Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology
- Materials: properties, types (woods, metals, polymers, textiles, smart/modern materials)
- Performance characteristics: strength, elasticity, biodegradability, durability
- Processes, techniques and specialist tools: machining, moulding, adhesives, finishes, risk assessment
- Digital technologies: CAD, CAM, rapid prototyping
- Product development factors: user needs, anthropometrics, ergonomics, design theory
- Effects of technological developments: mass production, global markets, smart materials
- Safe working practices and risk management
- Manufacturing industry features: production types, quality systems (QA, QC, TQM), robotics, JIT
- Cleaner environments: sustainable material use, design for disassembly, lifecycle thinking
- Current legislation: Consumer Rights Act, Health & Safety at Work, COSHH
- Information handling: marketing, feasibility studies, cost modelling, IP rights, industry standards
- Further techniques: user-centred design, circular economy, systems thinking, critical path analysis
Component 2: Independent Design and Make Project
- Design brief and investigation: identify real-world design opportunity with user consultation
- Research: evaluate existing products, sustainability, commercial relevance
- Specification: technical and measurable criteria, cost and performance justification
- Design development: ideas generation, iterative prototyping, modelling and simulation
- Final design solution: detailed manufacturing specification, cost analysis, sustainability
- Making: high-quality prototype using selected materials, tools and techniques
- Evaluation: testing against criteria, user feedback, lifecycle impact assessment
Assessment structure
Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology
- Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
- 120 marks; 50% of A Level
- Includes calculations, short/open response and extended-writing questions
- Covers analysis of prototypes, technical principles, and wider design issues
- Calculators and rulers permitted
Component 2: Independent Design and Make Project
- Non-exam assessment: internally marked, externally moderated
- 120 marks; 50% of A Level
- Portfolio (approx. 40 sides A3 or equivalent) and final prototype
- Assesses identifying design opportunity, development, making and evaluation
- Includes client/end-user involvement and iterative design process
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel A Level Design & Technology (Product Design) isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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