Assessment is one of the most important things to understand before choosing or committing to IB Design Technology. Many students underestimate how strategic this subject is, especially under the new syllabus with first assessment in 2027. While the core philosophy remains the same, expectations around justification, evaluation, and design thinking are clearer and more demanding.
Knowing how marks are awarded helps students focus on what actually matters rather than wasting time on low-impact work.
Overview of IB Design Technology Assessment
IB Design Technology is assessed through two main components:
- External examinations
- Internal assessment (the design project)
Both are essential. A strong design project cannot fully compensate for weak exam performance, and strong exams cannot fully offset a poorly managed project.
External Assessment: Exams
The external assessment tests how well students can apply and evaluate design knowledge, not just recall facts.
What the Exams Test
Across the exam papers, students are expected to:
- Demonstrate understanding of design theory
- Apply concepts to unfamiliar contexts
- Analyse and evaluate design decisions
- Use correct subject-specific terminology
Questions often require students to explain reasoning clearly, justify choices, and evaluate impacts on users and the environment.
SL vs HL Expectations
- SL students focus on core concepts and application
- HL students must show deeper analysis, synthesis across topics, and more extended responses
HL exams are longer and demand more detailed justification, but the structure remains similar.
Internal Assessment: The Design Project
The internal assessment is a long-term individual design project completed over several months. It is one of the defining features of IB Design Technology.
What the Design Project Involves
Students must:
- Identify a real problem linked to a specific user or client
- Conduct focused user-centred research
- Develop, model, and test design ideas
- Show iteration based on testing and feedback
- Evaluate how well the final solution meets user needs
The project is not about producing the most complex product. It is about showing clear thinking, informed decisions, and reflective evaluation.
What Examiners Look For
Across both exams and the design project, examiners consistently reward the same qualities:
- Clear justification for decisions
- Evidence-based reasoning
- User-focused thinking
- Honest evaluation of success and limitations
Students lose marks when work becomes descriptive, vague, or unsupported by explanation.
Common Assessment Mistakes Students Make
Many students struggle not because the subject is too hard, but because they misunderstand assessment priorities.
Common mistakes include:
- Focusing too much on aesthetics rather than reasoning
- Writing long descriptions without analysis
- Leaving iteration and evaluation too late
- Treating the design project like a presentation instead of an investigation
Understanding the assessment model early prevents these issues.
How Assessment Affects Final Grades
IB Design Technology places significant weight on both components. This means:
- Consistent effort over time matters
- Organisation and planning are essential
- Students who manage deadlines well often outperform equally capable peers
Success comes from aligning work closely with assessment criteria, not from working harder without direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the internal assessment more important than exams?
Both matter. The design project carries significant weight, but exams still play a major role in the final grade. Balanced preparation is essential.
Has the difficulty increased in the 2027 syllabus?
The core difficulty is similar, but expectations around justification, evaluation, and design thinking are clearer. Students who rely on description will struggle more than before.
Can creativity alone earn high marks?
No. Creativity helps, but marks are awarded for reasoning, evidence, and evaluation. A simple design with strong justification scores higher than a complex design with weak explanation.
Final Advice
The new IB Design Technology assessment model rewards clarity of thinking, organisation, and reflection. Students who understand how marks are awarded can work more efficiently and avoid unnecessary stress.
RevisionDojo Tip
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