WJEC Eduqas GCSE Design & Technology specification (C600)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your WJEC Eduqas 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 WJEC Eduqas 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 WJEC Eduqas GCSE Design & Technology (C600) 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 WJEC Eduqas specification PDF.
Specification overview
The WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Design and Technology allows learners to solve real problems through creative designing and making. It prepares them to engage confidently with a technological world and understand broader influences such as historical, cultural, environmental and economic factors. The course encourages imagination, risk-taking and practical expertise, and promotes awareness of commercial viability, sustainability and user needs. Learners develop a broad understanding of materials, components and manufacturing techniques, while building decision-making, communication and project management skills that support progression into further study or careers in design-related fields.Subject content breakdown
2.1 Technical principles
- Design and technology and our world: Impact of new/emerging technologies on society, environment, production; sustainability and ethical issues; energy generation and storage.
- Smart materials: Properties and uses of modern materials, composites, technical textiles, and interactive textiles.
- Electronic systems and programmable components: Inputs, processes, outputs; programmable microcontrollers; feedback systems.
- Mechanical components and devices: Types of movement, gears, pulleys, levers, cams, linkages.
- Materials: Categories and properties of papers & boards, timbers, metals, polymers, textiles; standard forms and uses.
2.2 Designing and making principles
- Core areas: Understanding practice, user needs, briefs/specifications, idea development, evaluating, design strategies, communication, prototyping, decision-making.
- In-depth areas (for at least one material focus): Selecting and working with materials; marking out; tools/equipment; specialist techniques; surface treatments and finishes.
In-depth knowledge and understanding (at least one from):
- Electronic systems & mechanical devices
- Papers & boards
- Natural & manufactured timber
- Ferrous & non-ferrous metals
- Thermoforming & thermosetting polymers
- Fibres & textiles
Each area includes understanding of sources, properties, production, joining techniques, processes, sustainability, and industrial applications.
Assessment structure
Component 1: Design and Technology in the 21st Century
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 50% of the qualification
- Mix of short answer, structured and extended questions
- Assesses technical and design/making principles, and ability to analyse and evaluate
Component 2: Design and Make Task (NEA)
- Approximately 35 hours
- 50% of the qualification
- Contextual challenge set by WJEC; learners investigate, design, prototype and evaluate
- Assessed internally, moderated by WJEC
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Identify/investigate design possibilities – 10%
- AO2: Design and make prototypes – 30%
- AO3: Analyse and evaluate – 20%
- AO4: Demonstrate knowledge of technical/design principles – 40%
NEA Breakdown
- Identifying/investigating design possibilities – 10 marks
- Developing brief/specification – 10 marks
- Generating/developing ideas – 30 marks
- Manufacturing a prototype – 30 marks
- Evaluating – 20 marks
Marks are awarded using holistic banded criteria, with internal standardisation required in centres.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your WJEC Eduqas 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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