Many IB Design Technology students leave exams feeling confident, only to be disappointed by their results. In most cases, marks are lost not because students lack knowledge, but because they make predictable exam mistakes that examiners see every year.
Understanding these mistakes — and actively avoiding them — is one of the fastest ways to improve exam performance without learning extra content.
Writing Descriptive Answers Instead of Analytical Ones
The most common mistake is describing instead of explaining or evaluating.
For example:
- “The product is ergonomic because it is comfortable.”
This is descriptive and vague. It does not explain how or why comfort is achieved.
High-scoring answers:
- Explain cause and effect
- Link features to user needs
- Show reasoning clearly
If your answer reads like a product description, it is probably losing marks.
Ignoring the Command Term
Many students know the content but fail to follow the command term.
Common issues include:
- Describing when the question says evaluate
- Explaining one side when balance is required
- Ignoring part of a combined command term
This mistake alone can cap answers at mid-level marks, even if the content is accurate.
Writing Generic Answers Not Linked to the Scenario
IB Design Technology exams rely heavily on contextual questions.
Students often lose marks by:
