IB Design Technology HL · 2016 to 2025 (outgoing guide)
Unit 3: Product in theory
123 past paper questions from 33 papers across 17 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
HL archive · 2016 to 2025
Unit 3: Product in theory
Latest exam session: May 2025
- questions
- 123
- questions
- papers
- 33
- papers
- exam sessions
- 17
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 13
Topics in Unit 3: Product in theory
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
3.1
Material classification
79% of marks198 of the 251 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (79%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 91 questions
- RisingBiodegradable materials
3.2
Structural systems
8% of marks19 of the 251 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (8%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 12 questions
- DueStress, strain and failure
3.3
Mechanical systems
7% of marks18 of the 251 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (7%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 7 questions
3.4
Electronic systems
6% of marks16 of the 251 marks across the 36 Design Technology HL papers analysed (6%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 13 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 13 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2Mechanical properties, 2016: 2 questions | 3Mechanical properties, 2017: 3 questions | 3Mechanical properties, 2018: 3 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 | 8Mechanical properties, 2024: 8 questions | 4Mechanical properties, 2025: 4 questions | |
3.1.4Physical properties | 5Physical properties, 2016: 5 questions | 1Physical properties, 2017: 1 question | 1Physical properties, 2018: 1 question | 2Physical properties, 2019: 2 questions | ·Physical properties, 2020: 0 questions | 1Physical properties, 2021: 1 question | ·Physical properties, 2022: 0 questions | 3Physical properties, 2023: 3 questions | 2Physical properties, 2024: 2 questions | 2Physical properties, 2025: 2 questions |
3.4.11Feedback | 2Feedback, 2016: 2 questions | ·Feedback, 2017: 0 questions | 2Feedback, 2018: 2 questions | ·Feedback, 2019: 0 questions | ·Feedback, 2020: 0 questions | ·Feedback, 2021: 0 questions | ·Feedback, 2022: 0 questions | 5Feedback, 2023: 5 questions | 2Feedback, 2024: 2 questions | 2Feedback, 2025: 2 questions |
3.1.7Composites | ·Composites, 2016: 0 questions | 2Composites, 2017: 2 questions | 9Composites, 2018: 9 questions | 2Composites, 2019: 2 questions | ·Composites, 2020: 0 questions | 2Composites, 2021: 2 questions | ·Composites, 2022: 0 questions | 2Composites, 2023: 2 questions | 3Composites, 2024: 3 questions | 1Composites, 2025: 1 question |
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- DueStress, strain and failure· last Nov 21 P2
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Questions on Unit 3: Product in theory, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 3: Product in theory, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
May 2025
10 questions across 4 papers
November 2024
7 questions across 2 papers
May 2024
13 questions across 3 papers
November 2023
9 questions across 2 papers
May 2023
10 questions across 2 papers
May 2022
1 question across 1 paper
November 2021
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2021
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2020
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2019
4 questions across 2 papers
May 2019
5 questions across 2 papers
November 2018
9 questions across 2 papers
May 2018
3 questions across 2 papers
November 2017
4 questions across 2 papers
May 2017
4 questions across 2 papers
November 2016
5 questions across 2 papers
May 2016
5 questions across 2 papers
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Design Technology HL exam sessions are covered for Unit 3: Product in theory?
18 exam sessions from 2016 to 2025, the latest May 2025. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 33 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 3: Product in theory topic comes up most?
Mechanical properties (3.1.6): in 53% of papers, last seen May 25 P2 TZ2. Usually "other", worth about 2.9 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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