IB Design Technology SL · 2016 to 2025 (outgoing guide)

2.2 Prototyping techniques

81 past paper questions from 32 papers across 17 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.

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SL archive · 2016 to 2025

2.2 Prototyping techniques

Latest exam session: May 2025

questions
81
questions
papers
32
papers
exam sessions
17
exam sessions
micro-topics
6

Micro-topics in 2.2 Prototyping techniques

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.

  • 3

    2.2.1

    Low and high fidelity

    1 question · in 3% of papersAppears in 1 of the 36 Design Technology SL papers analysed (3%), at least once each.

    Less common

    last May 23 P1 TZ2

  • 33

    2.2.2

    Drawing to communicate

    13 questions · in 33% of papersAppears in 12 of the 36 Design Technology SL papers analysed (33%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 25 P2 TZ1

  • 36

    2.2.3

    Physical vs virtual

    15 questions · in 36% of papersAppears in 13 of the 36 Design Technology SL papers analysed (36%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 25 P1 TZ2

  • 33

    2.2.4

    Testing with physical

    12 questions · in 33% of papersAppears in 12 of the 36 Design Technology SL papers analysed (33%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 25 P1 TZ2

  • 33

    2.2.5

    Testing with CAD

    19 questions · in 33% of papersAppears in 12 of the 36 Design Technology SL papers analysed (33%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 25 P2 TZ1

  • 42

    2.2.6

    Rapid prototyping

    21 questions · in 42% of papersAppears in 15 of the 36 Design Technology SL papers analysed (42%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 25 P2 TZ2

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 6 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.

fewermore

Micro-topic2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
2.2.5Testing with CADFrequently tested
3Testing with CAD, 2016: 3 questions·Testing with CAD, 2017: 0 questions3Testing with CAD, 2018: 3 questions·Testing with CAD, 2019: 0 questions2Testing with CAD, 2020: 2 questions·Testing with CAD, 2021: 0 questions·Testing with CAD, 2022: 0 questions6Testing with CAD, 2023: 6 questions2Testing with CAD, 2024: 2 questions3Testing with CAD, 2025: 3 questions
2.2.4Testing with physicalFrequently tested
1Testing with physical, 2016: 1 question2Testing with physical, 2017: 2 questions1Testing with physical, 2018: 1 question1Testing with physical, 2019: 1 question·Testing with physical, 2020: 0 questions·Testing with physical, 2021: 0 questions·Testing with physical, 2022: 0 questions3Testing with physical, 2023: 3 questions2Testing with physical, 2024: 2 questions2Testing with physical, 2025: 2 questions
2.2.6Rapid prototypingFrequently tested
2Rapid prototyping, 2016: 2 questions3Rapid prototyping, 2017: 3 questions4Rapid prototyping, 2018: 4 questions4Rapid prototyping, 2019: 4 questions·Rapid prototyping, 2020: 0 questions2Rapid prototyping, 2021: 2 questions·Rapid prototyping, 2022: 0 questions3Rapid prototyping, 2023: 3 questions2Rapid prototyping, 2024: 2 questions1Rapid prototyping, 2025: 1 question
2.2.2Drawing to communicateFrequently tested
·Drawing to communicate, 2016: 0 questions1Drawing to communicate, 2017: 1 question1Drawing to communicate, 2018: 1 question2Drawing to communicate, 2019: 2 questions1Drawing to communicate, 2020: 1 question1Drawing to communicate, 2021: 1 question3Drawing to communicate, 2022: 3 questions1Drawing to communicate, 2023: 1 question2Drawing to communicate, 2024: 2 questions1Drawing to communicate, 2025: 1 question

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  • Frequently testedin at least a quarter of all papers, and still appearing in the last two years

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Questions on 2.2 Prototyping techniques, by exam session

Which papers asked about 2.2 Prototyping techniques, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which Design Technology SL exam sessions are covered for 2.2 Prototyping techniques?

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 32 papers in this archive.

Which 2.2 Prototyping techniques topic comes up most?

Testing with CAD (2.2.5): in 33% of papers, last seen May 25 P2 TZ1. Usually "explain / justify", worth about 6.2 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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