Revising for IB Design Technology (DT) exams is very different from revising for content-heavy subjects. Many students revise DT the wrong way — memorising definitions, rereading notes, or cramming theory — and are surprised when their marks do not improve.

Effective DT revision is not about how much you know, but how well you can apply, analyse, and evaluate under exam conditions.

Why Traditional Revision Methods Don’t Work Well for DT

DT exams are not recall-based.

Students often struggle because they:

• Memorise definitions instead of practising application
• Revise topics in isolation
• Ignore command terms
• Avoid extended responses

Knowing content is necessary, but it is not sufficient. Marks come from using knowledge in context.

Step 1: Understand the Exam Structure First

Before revising content, you must understand:

• The structure of Paper 1 and Paper 2
• The types of questions asked
• How marks are awarded

Many students waste time revising areas that rarely appear or revising them in the wrong way.

Exam familiarity improves performance more than extra content revision.

Step 2: Master Command Terms

Command terms are one of the biggest grade separators.

High-scoring students clearly understand the difference between:

• Describe
• Explain
• Analyse
• Evaluate

For example:

• Describe = say what it is
• Analyse = break down and explain relationships
• Evaluate = judge using strengths, weaknesses, and evidence

Writing the wrong type of answer — even with correct content — limits marks.

Step 3: Revise by Topic and Application

Instead of revising topics alone, revise them through exam-style scenarios.

For each topic, practise:

• Applying it to a product or situation
• Explaining advantages and disadvantages
• Making design decisions under constraints

DT exam questions almost always place theory inside a context. Practising without context leads to weak answers.

Step 4: Practise Structuring Answers

Many students lose marks because their answers are unclear, not because they are wrong.

Strong answers:

• Address the question directly
• Follow a logical structure
• Use short, focused paragraphs
• Avoid unnecessary description

Structure matters especially in longer-mark questions, where examiners look for evaluation and judgement.

Step 5: Learn to Evaluate Properly

Evaluation is essential for top marks.

Strong evaluation:

• Compares options
• Identifies trade-offs
• Makes a justified judgement

Weak evaluation:

• Lists positives only
• Describes instead of judging
• Avoids conclusion

If a question asks you to evaluate, your answer must end with a clear, justified decision.

Step 6: Use Past Questions Strategically

Past questions are one of the best revision tools — if used properly.

Effective use means:

• Writing full answers under time pressure
• Comparing answers to mark schemes
• Identifying what examiners reward
• Improving structure, not just content

Simply reading past papers is far less effective than actively answering them.

Step 7: Link IA Thinking to Exams

Your IA skills are directly useful in exams.

Strong exam answers often:

• Refer to user needs
• Consider constraints
• Discuss iteration and improvement
• Evaluate limitations

Students who understand their IA process usually write better DT exam answers.

Common DT Exam Revision Mistakes

Students often revise poorly by:

• Memorising definitions without context
• Ignoring evaluation practice
• Revising too late because DT feels “manageable”
• Avoiding timed practice

DT exams reward practice and thinking, not last-minute review.

How Much Time Should You Spend Revising DT?

DT usually requires:

• Less memorisation time than sciences
• More practice-based revision

Short, regular practice sessions are far more effective than long cramming sessions close to exams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DT exam revision easier than other subjects?

It uses less memorisation, but it is harder for students who avoid application and evaluation.

Can practising past papers really improve my grade?

Yes. DT exams are highly skill-based, and practice leads to rapid improvement.

Should I revise DT early or later?

Early, light revision builds skills. Heavy revision too late often feels ineffective.

Final Thoughts

Effective IB Design Technology exam revision is about thinking like a designer under exam conditions. Students who focus on command terms, application, structure, and evaluation consistently outperform those who rely on memorisation.

DT rewards clarity and judgement — not cramming.

RevisionDojo Tip

RevisionDojo is the best platform for IB Design Technology exam revision. With command-term breakdowns, examiner-style practice questions, and application-focused strategies, RevisionDojo helps students turn DT exams into a scoring opportunity rather than a risk.