IB Design Technology HL · 2016 to 2025 (outgoing guide)
Design Technology HL Paper 1
401 past paper questions from 17 papers across 14 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
By paper:Paper 1Paper 2All papers
HL archive · 2016 to 2025
Paper 1
Latest exam session: May 2025
- questions
- 401
- questions
- papers
- 17
- papers
- exam sessions
- 14
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 59
Where Paper 1 marks go, by unit
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
Unit 1
People in theory
16% of marks65 of the 401 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (16%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 65 questions
- RisingAdjustability and sizing
Unit 2
Process in theory
21% of marks84 of the 401 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (21%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 84 questions
- DueRapid prototyping
- DueResearch methods
Unit 3
Product in theory
17% of marks70 of the 401 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (17%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 70 questions
- DueSmart materials
- RisingPhysical properties
Unit 4
Production in theory
4% of marks17 of the 401 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (4%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 17 questions
Unit 5
People in practice
0% of marks1 of the 401 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (0%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 1 question
Unit 6
Process in practice
2% of marks10 of the 401 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (2%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 10 questions
- DueFinite element analysis
Unit 8
Production in practice
7% of marks27 of the 401 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (7%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 27 questions
- RisingSystems per product
Unit 9
People in context
6% of marks26 of the 401 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (6%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 26 questions
- RisingThe four pleasures
Unit 10
Process in context
19% of marks77 of the 401 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (19%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 77 questions
- RisingRenewable energy
Unit 11
Product in context
5% of marks19 of the 401 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (5%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 19 questions
Unit 12
Production in context
1% of marks5 of the 401 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (1%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 5 questions
Exam pattern
How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.
Does it repeat?
Top 4 of 59 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2Psychological factors, 2016: 2 questions | 4Psychological factors, 2017: 4 questions | 3Psychological factors, 2018: 3 questions | 4Psychological factors, 2019: 4 questions | 3Psychological factors, 2020: 3 questions | ·Psychological factors, 2021: 0 questions | ·Psychological factors, 2022: 0 questions | 3Psychological factors, 2023: 3 questions | 4Psychological factors, 2024: 4 questions | 2Psychological factors, 2025: 2 questions | |
10.1.1Designing sustainably | 3Designing sustainably, 2016: 3 questions | 4Designing sustainably, 2017: 4 questions | 2Designing sustainably, 2018: 2 questions | 6Designing sustainably, 2019: 6 questions | 2Designing sustainably, 2020: 2 questions | ·Designing sustainably, 2021: 0 questions | ·Designing sustainably, 2022: 0 questions | 2Designing sustainably, 2023: 2 questions | 5Designing sustainably, 2024: 5 questions | 3Designing sustainably, 2025: 3 questions |
| 1The five stages of UCD, 2016: 1 question | 2The five stages of UCD, 2017: 2 questions | ·The five stages of UCD, 2018: 0 questions | 3The five stages of UCD, 2019: 3 questions | 1The five stages of UCD, 2020: 1 question | ·The five stages of UCD, 2021: 0 questions | ·The five stages of UCD, 2022: 0 questions | 4The five stages of UCD, 2023: 4 questions | 5The five stages of UCD, 2024: 5 questions | 2The five stages of UCD, 2025: 2 questions | |
| 1Mechanical properties, 2016: 1 question | 2Mechanical properties, 2017: 2 questions | 2Mechanical properties, 2018: 2 questions | 2Mechanical properties, 2019: 2 questions | 2Mechanical properties, 2020: 2 questions | ·Mechanical properties, 2021: 0 questions | ·Mechanical properties, 2022: 0 questions | 3Mechanical properties, 2023: 3 questions | 6Mechanical properties, 2024: 6 questions | 3Mechanical properties, 2025: 3 questions |
11 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueSmart materials· last May 24 P1 TZ2
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Every micro-topic in the heatmap and the complete watch list, free with an account.
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Questions on Paper 1, by exam session
Which papers asked about Paper 1, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
May 2025
2 papers
November 2024
1 paper
May 2024
2 papers
November 2023
1 paper
May 2023
2 papers
November 2020
1 paper
November 2019
1 paper
May 2019
1 paper
November 2018
1 paper
May 2018
1 paper
November 2017
1 paper
May 2017
1 paper
November 2016
1 paper
May 2016
1 paper
Every Paper 1 question, unlocked
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Design Technology HL exam sessions are covered for Paper 1?
18 exam sessions from 2016 to 2025, the latest May 2025. Every Paper 1 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 17 papers in this archive.
Which Paper 1 topic comes up most?
Psychological factors (1.1.7): in 42% of papers, last seen May 25 P1 TZ2. Usually "other", worth about 1.7 marks in a paper that includes it.
Can I see the original question and mark scheme?
No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own matched practice questions with worked answers and AI marking.
What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?
Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.
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Reading this page and the exam pattern is free. A free account generates three sets of ten questions and launches one practice set. Pro opens every question in any scope, sets of twenty or all, and unlimited practice.
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More Design Technology HL exam preparation
Every question, by paper
What each Design Technology HL paper tests across all its sittings: the marks by unit and the micro-topics it keeps coming back to.
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All IB past papers
Every subject we have classified by topic, with the same exam-pattern analysis.
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