IB Design Technology Paper 1 often feels unpredictable to students. The questions are unfamiliar, the scenarios are new, and memorisation alone rarely works. As a result, many students revise inefficiently by rereading notes instead of building the application skills the exam actually tests.

Paper 1 rewards students who understand concepts deeply and can apply them quickly to new situations.

What Does IB Design Technology Paper 1 Test?

Paper 1 primarily tests:

• Core design theory
• Understanding of users and context
• Application of concepts to unfamiliar scenarios
• Clear explanation using subject-specific terminology

Questions are usually shorter and more focused than Paper 2, but they still require precise thinking and application, not just recall.

Why Memorisation Alone Is Not Enough

Many students try to memorise definitions for:

• Ergonomics
• Sustainability
• User-centred design
• Ethics

While basic definitions help, Paper 1 questions almost always ask students to:

• Apply concepts to a product or situation
• Explain why a design choice is suitable
• Identify issues and suggest improvements

If you cannot apply a concept, memorising it will not earn marks.

Focus on Core Concepts First

Effective Paper 1 revision starts with core concepts that appear frequently.

Prioritise:

• User-centred design
• Ergonomics
• Sustainability and responsibility
• Materials and properties
• Basic systems understanding

These ideas can be applied to almost any scenario, making them high-impact revision areas.

Practise Applying Concepts to New Scenarios

Paper 1 rewards flexibility.

Strong revision involves:

• Looking at everyday products
• Asking how they meet user needs
• Identifying ergonomic or sustainability issues
• Explaining improvements clearly

This trains you to think like the exam requires rather than memorising isolated facts.

Learn to Answer Command Terms Properly

Paper 1 often uses command terms such as:

• Explain
• Analyse
• Suggest

Each command term requires a different depth of response.

For example:

• Explain requires reasoning, not just description
• Analyse requires breaking ideas down and linking cause and effect
• Suggest requires realistic, justified ideas

Misinterpreting command terms is a common reason students lose marks.

Use Past Paper Questions Strategically

Past papers are most effective when used properly.

Instead of:

• Reading mark schemes passively

Do this:

• Attempt questions under time pressure
• Check whether your answer applies concepts clearly
• Compare your reasoning to mark scheme expectations

Focus on why marks are awarded, not just what keywords appear.

Develop Clear, Concise Explanations

Paper 1 is time-pressured. Long answers are not always better.

High-scoring answers:

• Identify the relevant concept quickly
• Apply it directly to the scenario
• Use correct terminology
• Avoid unnecessary detail

Clarity often earns more marks than length.

Common Paper 1 Revision Mistakes

Students often lose marks by:

• Memorising definitions only
• Ignoring command terms
• Writing generic answers not linked to the scenario
• Overwriting and running out of time

Revision should train exam thinking, not note recall.

A Simple Paper 1 Revision Strategy

A strong weekly approach:

• Revise one core concept
• Apply it to multiple product examples
• Answer 3–5 short exam-style questions
• Review answers for clarity and application

This method builds confidence and speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paper 1 harder than Paper 2?

Not necessarily. Paper 1 is shorter but requires quicker application. Students who revise strategically often find it more manageable.

Do you need to memorise definitions?

Basic understanding helps, but application matters far more. Definitions alone rarely earn full marks.

How much time should you spend on Paper 1 revision?

Regular short practice sessions are more effective than long cramming sessions.

Final Thoughts

IB Design Technology Paper 1 is about thinking like a designer under exam conditions. Students who practise applying concepts clearly and efficiently consistently outperform those who rely on memorisation alone.

RevisionDojo Tip

RevisionDojo is the best platform for IB Design Technology students who want exam-focused revision strategies, clear Paper 1 practice guidance, and structured support for mastering application-based questions. With the right approach, Paper 1 becomes predictable, manageable, and scoreable.