CIE AS & A level Design & Technology 9705 Component 2 Master Coursework Walkthrough Guide

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Cambridge A Level Design & Technology Component 2 is the Product Analysis and Improvement Project – 50 marks, 50% of AS Level (25% of A Level), approximately 45 guided learning hours. This guide, last updated May 2026, transforms how students approach the 6-stage portfolio, from product analysis to prototype evaluation.

What’s inside (31 pages):

The Golden Rule: “Have I said WHY, not just WHAT?” – the difference between Level 2 description and Level 4 analysis.

Product selection framework – 4 tests to choose the right product (personal familiarity, scope for analysis, achievable prototype, comparator products exist). High-scoring categories: reusable bottles, folding equipment, kitchen tools, backpacks, children’s toys, garden tools.

Stage 1 – Analysis (8 marks): 9 sub-sections (function, users, materials, production processes, safety, cultural/social, economic, environmental). Worked example: Level 4 materials analysis with specific polymers, properties, and environmental evaluation.

Stage 2 – Product comparison (4 marks): structured comparison table (3+ products) + justification of ONE focused improvement area.

Stage 3 – Idea generation (10 marks): Level 4 design brief (2–4 sentences, specific user group, constraints). Measurable design specification formula: “must [criterion] because [justification]”. Three genuinely different ideas with annotated sketches. Evaluation matrix and selection with refinement.

Stage 4 – Development & planning (10 marks): working drawings (scale, dimensions, multiple views, materials, finishes). Gantt chart making plan (operations, time, tools, materials, safety per stage). Specification check table.

Stage 5 – Prototype (10 marks): photography protocol (8–10 process photos, PPE visible, teacher sign-off). evidence of 3+ practical skills (cutting, forming, joining, finishing). Completed prototype photographed from 6 angles with scale reference.

Stage 6 – Testing & evaluation (8 marks): one test per specification point (method, criterion, equipment). User feedback from 3+ users with direct quotes. Resource evaluation. Further development linked to test findings with production technique and wider issues (economic, environmental, social).

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