school IB Design Technology (SL/HL)

Score higher with design thinking + clear evidence + examiner-ready structure.

Times Edu helps students perform the way IB expects DT to be done: understand users → define the need → ideate → prototype/model → test → evaluate—then communicate it clearly in Paper 1/2 and the Design Project.

calendar_monthFirst Assessment 2025

psychologyDesign Thinking Core

buildProduct Solution Focus

From Ideation to Production

Mastering the IB Design Cycle

Why students struggle to get the marks they deserve

Common pitfalls in IB Design Technology that lead to lost points.

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Translating Ideas

Struggling to convert creative concepts into the specific technical terminology the IB examiners require.

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Weak Testing Evidence

Producing “cool” prototypes but failing to provide rigorous, data-driven testing and evaluation.

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IA Overwhelm

The Design Project becomes a disorganized burden rather than a structured showcase of skills.

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Paper 2 Timing

Running out of time on extended response questions due to lack of structure in answers.

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Vague Reasoning

Losing marks because design decisions aren’t explicitly justified against the user needs.

Outcomes: What improves in 4–12 weeks

We focus on targeted improvements for both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) students.

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Paper 1 MCQ Accuracy
Systematic approach to eliminating distractors and identifying key terms.
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Paper 2 Scoring Structure
Mastering the command terms to structure short and extended responses.
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Stronger Design Reasoning
Developing clear, logical arguments for design choices.
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Design Project Clarity
Transforming the IA from a chaotic mess to a structured, high-scoring portfolio.
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Higher Marks-per-minute
Efficiency strategies to maximize points within exam time limits.

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Free Resource

Free 30’ Diagnostic

Get a clear picture of where you stand. We’ll identify your top 3 mark-loss patterns and build a personalized roadmap to your target score.

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Choose SL vs HL

Understanding the depth and time commitment required.

Standard Level (SL)

150 Recommended Hours

Focuses on the core principles of design, from human factors to sustainability. Perfect for students interested in design who also want to balance other demanding subjects.

schedule Core Topics Only
description Paper 1 & 2
design_services Design Project (IA)

DEEP DIVE

Higher Level (HL)

240 Recommended Hours

Includes everything in SL plus advanced topics like User-Centered Design (UCD), Sustainability, and Commercial Production. Requires greater depth in the Design Project.

add_circle Additional HL Topics
description Paper 1, 2 & 3 (Exam)
design_services Extended Design Project

Assessment Overview

Component	Format	Time	Weighting (SL)	Weighting (HL)
Paper 1	Multiple choice questions	0.75h / 1h	30%	20%
Paper 2	Short answer & extended response	1.5h	30%	20%
Paper 3 (HL Only)	Structured questions on HL topics	1.5h	–	20%
Design Project (IA)	Individual design project portfolio	40h / 60h	40%	40%

infoBoth levels also require the Collaborative Sciences Project.

Content Map

Organized into three key pillars: Theory, Practice, and Context.

Design in Theory

circleHuman Factors & Ergonomics
circleResource Management
circleSustainable Development

Design in Practice

circleModeling & Prototyping
circleRaw Materials to Final Product
circleInnovation & Design

Design in Context

circleUser-Centered Design (UCD) HL
circleSustainability HL
circleCommercial Production HL

Times Edu Strategy Playbook

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Paper 1 (MCQ) — Speed + Trap-proofing

We teach specific routines to identify common IB traps in multiple choice questions. Learn to eliminate distractors instantly and manage your time per question.

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Paper 2 — Write like an IB Designer

Don’t just write; structure. We provide answer frames for short and extended responses that hit the marking criteria explicitly.

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Design Project (IA) — Scorable, not just “Cool”

We shift the focus from making a flashy product to creating a rigorous evidence trail. Ensure your testing and evaluation sections are bulletproof.

How learning works at Times Edu

Concept

Deep dive into theory with real-world examples.

Application

Apply concepts to past paper questions immediately.

Feedback

Detailed marking and correction of responses.

Reporting

Weekly progress updates for parents and students.

FAQ — IB Design Technology (2025)

How is the Design Project marked?expand_more

The Design Project is marked internally by your teacher and externally moderated by the IB. It is assessed against four criteria: Analysis of a design opportunity, Conceptual design, Development of a detailed design, and Testing and evaluation.

Do I need to be good at drawing?expand_more

While sketching is useful for communicating ideas, you don’t need to be an artist. The IB values clear communication of design intent. CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is also a major component and can be used effectively.

What is the difference between SL and HL exams?expand_more

HL students take an additional Paper 3 exam which focuses on the HL extension topics. The weighting of Paper 1 and 2 is also slightly different between the two levels.

Ready to improve your DT score?

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