Many IB Design Technology students work hard on their projects yet still achieve lower marks than expected. In most cases, this is not due to weak ideas or lack of effort, but because of avoidable mistakes that conflict with how the IB assesses the design project.

Understanding these mistakes early helps students protect marks across multiple criteria and avoid last-minute panic.

Treating the Project Like a Product, Not a Process

One of the biggest mistakes students make is focusing too heavily on the final product.

IB Design Technology does not reward:

• Visual polish alone
• Complex manufacturing
• A “perfect” final outcome

Instead, marks are awarded for design thinking, justification, testing, and evaluation. A simple product with strong reasoning will always outperform a complex product with weak explanation.

Writing Descriptively Instead of Analytically

Many students describe what they did without explaining why they did it.

For example:

• “The prototype was tested with the user.”
• “The material was chosen because it is strong.”

These statements earn very few marks unless followed by:

• Evidence
• Justification
• Evaluation

IB examiners reward analysis, not narration.

Weak or Vague Problem Statements

A poor problem statement quietly limits the entire project.

Common issues include:

• Problems that are too broad
• Lack of a specific user
• No evidence to justify the problem
• Including a solution too early

When the problem is unclear, research, testing, and evaluation all become weaker.

Ineffective or Unused Research

Another frequent mistake is doing research that never influences the design.

This includes:

• Large blocks of copied information
• Generic background research
• Statistics that are never referenced again

Research only earns marks when it informs decisions. If examiners cannot see how research shaped the design, it adds little value.

Little or No Iteration

Iteration is one of the highest-impact areas for marks, yet many projects show very little of it.

Students lose marks by:

• Producing only one prototype
• Making changes without explanation
• Avoiding changes to make work look “finished”

IB expects designs to evolve. Lack of iteration suggests shallow design thinking.

Poor or Late Evaluation

Evaluation is often rushed or treated as a summary.

Weak evaluation:

• Repeats what was done
• Claims success without evidence
• Avoids discussing limitations

Strong evaluation:

• Refers back to design requirements
• Uses testing and user feedback
• Reflects honestly on weaknesses

Evaluation can significantly raise or lower final IA marks.

Ignoring the User During Development

Many students mention the user early on but forget them later.

This leads to:

• Design decisions based on assumption
• Weak testing
• Generic evaluation

IB Design Technology is user-centred. When the user disappears, marks disappear too.

Poor Time Management

One of the most damaging mistakes is leaving key sections until the end.

This often results in:

• Minimal iteration
• Weak testing
• Rushed evaluation

Time management is not assessed directly, but it affects almost every criterion.

Overcomplicating the Project

Students sometimes believe complexity equals higher marks.

In reality:

• Overly ambitious projects often fail
• Complex systems are hard to justify
• Testing becomes shallow

IB rewards clarity and control, not scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can small mistakes really affect final grades?

Yes. Many small issues compound across criteria and quietly cap achievement levels.

Is it better to simplify a project?

Often, yes. Simpler projects are easier to justify, test, and evaluate effectively.

Can these mistakes be fixed late in the project?

Some can, but many are structural. Avoiding them early is far more effective.

Final Thoughts

Most low marks in IB Design Technology projects come from misunderstanding assessment expectations, not lack of ability. Students who avoid these common mistakes protect marks across multiple criteria and produce clearer, stronger projects.

RevisionDojo Tip

RevisionDojo is the best platform for IB Design Technology students who want clear examiner-focused guidance, structured IA support, and strategies to avoid common scoring mistakes. With the right approach, RevisionDojo helps students turn effort into results and avoid the traps that lower marks.