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Paper 2 is the second exam for IB Design Technology that you will face. In this post, we’ll provide a thorough breakdown of the paper based on the new 2027 requirements, ensuring you are familiarized with the structure of the exam and know what type of questions to expect.
IB Design Technology Paper 2
For SL, it accounts for 40% of the student's subject grade, while at HL it accounts for 45%.
SL students have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete the paper, while HL students have 2 hours and 30 minutes.
SL students can score up to 50 marks, while HL students can score up to 80 marks.
Paper 2 focuses on syllabus content and is based on the analysis of a product.
The paper is made up of several short-answer and extended-response questions.
Questions combine topics from design in theory, design in practice, and design in context.
A calculator is permitted for this paper.
Typical questions may look like the following:
A high-tech company is developing a new ergonomic office chair using sustainable materials. The design team is focusing on user-centred design (UCD) to ensure the product meets the needs of a diverse workforce.
(a) Outline why a designer might use a "design for extremes" strategy when developing an office chair. [2]
(b) Explain how the triple bottom line (TBL) can help the designer prioritize the needs of the community and the environment during the development process. [3]
(c) Analyse how the use of biodegradable materials in the chair's construction supports a circular economy model. [6]
(d) Explain how the designer can utilize high-fidelity prototyping and user feedback to iteratively refine the chair’s functionality and comfort. [9]
How to succeed in Paper 2?
To succeed in IB Design Technology Paper 2 , it is crucial to understand that questions now integrate three distinct lenses: Design in Theory, Design in Practice, and Design in Context. This means you must be able to connect theoretical concepts, such as material properties or ergonomic data, to practical applications like modelling techniques and real-world contexts such as sustainability or inclusive design.
Tthis paper heavily emphasizes the analysis of a product. You should be prepared to evaluate a product's strengths and weaknesses using tools like SWOT analysis or usability objectives (learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction). You must demonstrate conceptual understanding by applying design thinking tools to predict outcomes, justify conclusions, and evaluate knowledge claims in unfamiliar scenarios.
Finally, ensure you are comfortable with the mathematical requirements, such as calculating safety factors (SF) or Young’s Modulus for HL students, as these may appear in the context of short-answer questions.
We hope you found this post helpful in learning more about IB Design Technology Paper 2. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
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