Every year, IB Design Technology students lose marks not because they lack effort or intelligence, but because they repeat the same avoidable mistakes. These mistakes often appear small at first, but they quietly limit marks across multiple criteria.
Understanding the most common IA mistakes early is one of the easiest ways to raise your final score without doing more work.
1. Starting With a Product Instead of a Problem
This is the single most common IA mistake.
Students often begin with:
- “I want to design a …”
- A product idea they already like
This leads to:
- Forced problem statements
- Weak justification
- Artificial iteration
IB Design Technology is problem-led, not product-led. When the product comes first, everything else becomes harder to justify.
2. Writing Vague or Untestable Design Requirements
Design requirements that cannot be tested cannot be evaluated.
Common weak requirements include:
- “The product should be easy to use”
- “The solution should be durable”
Without measurable criteria, testing becomes opinion-based, and evaluation loses credibility.
Strong requirements are specific, justified, and testable.
3. Doing Too Much Research (or the Wrong Kind)
Many students believe more research equals higher marks.
In reality, students lose marks by:
- Including large background sections
- Copying theory that never gets used
- Adding research “just in case”
Research only earns value when it directly informs design decisions. Unused research adds length, not marks.
4. Confusing Description With Development
Students often describe what they did instead of explaining why they did it.
Weak development looks like:
- “I chose this design because it looked better.”
- “The material was selected because it is strong.”
Strong development explains:
- Why the decision solves the problem
- How it links to requirements
- What trade-offs were considered
IB rewards reasoning, not narration.
5. Claiming Iteration Without Showing It
Saying that iteration happened is not the same as showing it.
Common iteration mistakes include:
- No before-and-after explanation
- Changes made without justification
- Iteration only mentioned in evaluation
Iteration should be visible, explained, and linked to testing.
6. Testing Only to Prove Success
Many students design tests to confirm that their product works.
This leads to:
- No identified weaknesses
- No meaningful iteration
- Weak evaluation
IB prefers testing that reveals problems, not hides them. Negative results often lead to stronger marks.
7. Avoiding Honest Evaluation
Students often believe admitting weaknesses will lower their grade.
This is false.
Weak evaluation includes:
- Claiming everything worked perfectly
- Ignoring unmet requirements
- Avoiding limitations
Honest evaluation that explains why limitations exist is one of the strongest scoring features in high-mark IAs.
8. Introducing New Ideas in the Evaluation
Evaluation is not the place for:
- Brand new design concepts
- Untested improvements
- Unrealistic redesigns
Suggestions should be:
- Directly linked to identified limitations
- Realistic within constraints
New ideas without evidence weaken credibility.
9. Poor Referencing and Academic Honesty Issues
Referencing errors are often unintentional but serious.
Common issues include:
- Missing image references
- Paraphrased ideas without citation
- One vague bibliography entry
Poor referencing can raise academic honesty concerns and limit marks even in strong projects.
10. Rushing the Final Submission
Many students lose marks at the very end by:
- Making last-minute changes without explanation
- Adding content that isn’t integrated
- Forgetting to update evaluation after changes
Finalisation should improve clarity, not create confusion.
Why These Mistakes Are So Common
These mistakes happen because:
- DT feels less structured than other subjects
- Students underestimate evaluation and justification
- The IA is long-term and easy to delay
None of these mistakes reflect ability — only strategy.
How to Avoid Most IA Mistakes
Students who avoid these pitfalls usually:
- Focus on clarity over quantity
- Use requirements to guide testing and evaluation
- Embrace iteration and limitations
- Align every section with assessment criteria
Good strategy often matters more than effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one mistake ruin my IA?
Usually no, but repeated small mistakes can cap marks across multiple criteria.
Are these mistakes worse at HL?
HL expects deeper justification and evaluation, so these mistakes are more costly if not addressed.
Can guidance really make this much difference?
Yes. Most IA mistakes are preventable with clear structure and feedback.
Final Thoughts
Most IB Design Technology IA marks are lost through avoidable misunderstandings, not poor ideas. Students who recognise common mistakes early and adjust their approach often see significant grade improvement without increasing workload.
The IA rewards clarity, honesty, and justification — not perfection.
RevisionDojo Tip
RevisionDojo is the best platform for IB Design Technology students who want to avoid the common IA mistakes that quietly cap grades. With examiner-focused checklists, real examples, and step-by-step guidance, RevisionDojo helps students submit confident, coherent IAs that meet criteria — and score accordingly.
