Edexcel GCSE Design & Technology specification (1DT0)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel GCSE Design & Technology 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 GCSE Design & Technology 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 GCSE Design & Technology (1DT0) 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
The Edexcel GCSE (9–1) in Design and Technology supports students in developing creative problem-solving, iterative design thinking, and practical making skills for real-world applications. Students explore contextual challenges while learning to evaluate and adapt ideas using technical knowledge across materials and technologies. The qualification provides a broad understanding of modern and traditional design influences, sustainability, and social responsibility. Learners apply interdisciplinary knowledge (e.g. from science and maths) and develop prototypes that respond to user needs. This course prepares students for further study and for contributing to design and manufacturing in a rapidly evolving world:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Subject content breakdown
1. Core content
- New/emerging technologies: impact on industry, enterprise, sustainability, people, society, environment, production systems
- Evaluating technologies: ethical, environmental, contemporary and future implications
- Energy sources and storage: fossil, renewable, batteries, mains; selection criteria
- Modern/smart materials, composites, technical textiles
- Mechanical devices: types of movement, levers, linkages, cams, gears, pulleys
- Electronic systems: sensors, control devices, outputs; programmable components
- Material categorisation: metals, papers/boards, polymers, textiles, timbers; structure, properties, applications
- Design practice contexts and performance characteristics
- Environmental, social and economic challenges; ethical and sustainable design
- Designers/companies: past and present analysis to inform design
- Design strategies and communication: sketching, CAD, exploded/orthographic views
2. Material categories (students study one from the following):
- Metals: sources, types, footprints, reinforcement, stock forms, manufacturing, specialist processes, finishes
- Papers and Boards: properties, selection, stress/force resistance, sizes, manufacturing processes, finishes
- Polymers: thermoforming vs thermosetting, footprints, selection, reinforcement, processes, finishes
- Systems: electronic components, sourcing, properties, circuits, programmable systems, manufacturing
- Textiles: natural/synthetic fibres, constructions (woven, non-woven, knitted), finishes, selection and shaping
- Timbers: natural/manufactured types, origins, selection, reinforcement, stock forms, manufacturing and finishes
3. NEA content
- Investigate: identify design problem, conduct research, analyse existing products
- Design: develop and review ideas, justify chosen design, model and simulate, communicate with drawings and CAD
- Make: select and use tools/materials safely to create a prototype
- Evaluate: test prototype, conduct LCA, analyse effectiveness and sustainability:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Assessment structure
Component 1: Written exam
- 1 hour 45 minutes
- 100 marks
- 50% of GCSE
- Section A (Core): 40 marks; open, graphical, calculation, and extended responses
- Section B (Chosen material category): 60 marks; same question types
- Includes 15% maths and 10% science content
- Calculators allowed
Component 2: Non-exam assessment (NEA)
- 100 marks
- 50% of GCSE
- Based on contextual challenge (released annually on 1 June)
- Tasks:
- Investigate: identify needs, conduct research, develop brief/specification
- Design: explore/develop ideas, use modelling and communication techniques
- Make: manufacture using tools and techniques, demonstrate safe working
- Evaluate: test prototype, consider sustainability via life cycle assessment
- Internally assessed, externally moderated
- Evidence includes portfolio (recommended 20–30 A3 slides) and photos of the final prototype:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel GCSE Design & Technology 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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