Marking criteria for Coursework
Because of the ongoing impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there are some changes to how A-level Design and Technology: Product Design will be assessed in 2022.
These changes are for 2022 only!
Development of design prototypes
This section has been reduced from 25 to 15 marks - The effect of this is that your Design Ideas & Development sections will now be worth more marks overall.
Students will no longer be assessed on the skill of making but will be required to show their ‘intentions of prototypes’ and demonstrate their understanding of the processes involved in making
The assessment no longer requires students to make a final prototype. Instead, they can show their understanding of the processes involved in making by writing about them. Documenting these processes is one way of gaining marks in the 2022 'Development of design prototypes' section. However, making skills are important for students' understanding, so we’d encourage you to continue to allow students to make wherever possible.
Analysing and evaluation
This section has been reduced from 20 to 15 marks - The effect of this is that your initial Research, Design Ideas & Development sections will now be worth more marks overall.
Analysis and evaluation throughout the design process can take place in relation to prototype ideas and models
There’s no expectation to test a final made prototype but students should find ways of testing prototype designs.
Exam update
Assessment criteria / mark schemes for coursework sections
section one
Highest mark descriptors (aim for these)
section one
Lower mark descriptors (don't aim for these)
Section two
Highest mark descriptors (aim for these)
section three
section three
section three
section three
section four - Development of Prototype (Making)
Highest mark criteria
section four - Development of Prototype (Making)
Middle marks criteria
section four - Development of Prototype (Making)
Lower marking criteria
section four - Development of Prototype (Making)
Lowest marks
section five
Highest marking criteria
section five
Middle and lower marking criteria
Section five
Lowest marking criteria