Pearson Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology (2017) - Subject Guide

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher

Overview of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Design and Technology qualification for teaching and assessment planning, including flexibility and student-centred support. Describes the reformed approach, key changes post-reform, and the qualification structure combining one examination paper with one non-examined NEA project portfolio. Details assessment format, contextual challenges, expected chronological iterative user-centred design process, specialism choices, and guidance and resources such as papers, mapping documents, exemplar portfolios, and live Q&A events.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Qualification overview

Core and material exam sections

NEA project and assessment parts

Qualification at a glance

Component 1: Examination

Component 2: Design & make project (NEA)

About contextual challenges

Release timing and student choice

Expected design process

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology (2017) Building innovative design skills This guide gives you an overview of our Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Design and Technology qualification, and the comprehensive support you have available to you to help you plan, teach and assess the course. With a now fully established qualification following reform, our offer gives you the flexibility and personalisation options you need to help you to deliver a course that: I Reflects the strengths and interests of your students I Works for your current department facilities I Encourages excellence through the study of specialisms I Allows students to deep dive into material areas in both the NEA and examination components I Provides opportunity to progress onto A level Design and Technology I Encourages students to start a technical or non-technical learning journey that can be fulfilled through the study of a range of different degree level qualifications from product design to textiles I Encourages and rewards creative response to the NEA as equally as it does to a focus on specific technical problem solving. Our core qualification offer includes: I The course specification , with clear and detailed content to cover, leaving no ambiguity about what might appear in an examination paper I Material specific examination papers (past papers) I Mapping documents to help you switch existing schemes of work I A Scheme of Work plan for a two-year course delivery I On-demand module-based assessment support available all year round, explaining our approach to NEA assessment I Live Q&A events focused on the assessment of a new portfolio of work alongside the chance to discuss assessment with senior examiners I Exemplar portfolios for different material areas and including portfolios modified for Covid-19 submissions I An always available subject advisor Evren Alibaba, a former D&T teacher, able to address queries relating to the subject and qualification delivery I An expert product team developing ongoing support and training to respond to teacher needs. Key changes to the reformed qualification and our approaches | Key changes to the qualification post reform | Our teacher/student centred approach | | --- | --- | | The introduction of mathematics and science content into the core content of the course | Clear guidance on the expectations for mathematics assessment in the examination paper, and accessible context-based questions which can be taught to students of all abilities | | A rebalance of course structure from 60% | Greater support for the NEA component without the | | coursework to 50% coursework, with the other | expectation to produce excessively large portfolios, | | component an examination paper | ideally submitted as 30 slide documents | | Increased expectation for creative and modern | Clarity around new and updated content with support | | approaches to the design process, including | and exemplar materials to engage both learners and | | “iteration” and “user centred design” | support teachers | Qualification at a glance Our Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Design and Technology qualification consists of one examination paper and one non-examined project-based portfolio (NEA), focused on a pre-released theme known as a contextual challenge. Component Component 1 Examination 50% of qualification Component 2 Design & make project 50% of qualification Overview The paper includes calculations, short-open and open-response questions as well as extended-writing questions focused on: • analysis and evaluation of design decisions and outcomes, against a technical principle, for prototypes made by others • analysis and evaluation of wider issues in design technology, including social, moral, ethical and environmental impacts. The paper is split into section A “core”and section B “material” categories. Three contextual challenges will be provided by the board each year in June, from whi

FAQs

What are the two components of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Design and Technology qualification?

The qualification includes one examination paper (Component 1, 50%) and one non-examined project-based portfolio (NEA) focused on a contextual challenge (Component 2, 50%).

How is the examination paper structured and what content does it cover?

The paper includes calculations and short/extended response questions focused on analysis and evaluation of design decisions and wider issues in design technology. It is split into section A (core) and section B (material categories).

When are contextual challenges released, and what design process do students follow for the NEA?

Contextual challenges are released in early June in Year 10 of the two-year course. Students follow a chronological, iterative, user-centred design process, documenting work, iterating through research and development, and avoiding a pre-prescribed approach focused on real needs and problems.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher