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what is DT gcse like?

i'm going to be choosing my options next week and i'm thinking of choosing DT (not DT textiles) and i just want to know is it a lot of practical work or does it also include paperwork? and do you get assesed on your practical work?

Reply 1

Sheffield13

Personally, I do art gcse, yet I have lots of friends who do DT. I'm pretty sure you do a theory paper as well as practical work, but just letting you know that these subjects are a lot of work. :smile:

Reply 2

CoolCavy

Volunteer Team

Hey there!
I did GCSE DT (as well as A-level and am studying it at uni :colondollar:

)
You have a coursework component which is making a product (usually a problem/idea of your own choosing) followed by a theory paper at the end of the course. People tend to neglect the theory aspect (which is a typical exam format of memorising things in timed conditions) in favour of the courswork but it is important to revise well for it as it makes up around half of the marks (was 40% when i did it but it may have changed).
For the coursework you will do a portfolio as you go along with modelling and making your product, the portfolio will include things like idea sketches, photos of models and things like that :smile:

DT is quite a lot of work but it is less than that of subjects such as art (did art at a-level and gcse as well), it can be quite nice to have some variation of a practical subject as opposed to sitting behind a desk like in other GCSE subjects.

Reply 3

username5063840

I am in year 10, and I do Resistant material, but pretty much DT does the same thing. It's 50% practical and 50% theory. There is a lot of theory and the practical is alright because you get to work in class. My teacher is not that good, so I don't think I will do that good and there is no revision guide with Edexcel.

Reply 4

CoolCavy

Volunteer Team

Original post by foreverrocking

Ah is it 50/50 now? that's helpful to know :smile:

Have you checked out technologystudent? Despite the dated appearance it has good resources for GCSE DT theory

Reply 5

username5063840

Original post by CoolCavy

Ah is it 50/50 now? that's helpful to know :smile:

Have you checked out technologystudent? Despite the dated appearance it has good resources for GCSE DT theory

Thanks for the link

Reply 6

DOOODARS

Hi, I did DT for GCSE and now at a level! Personally, I loved it, I mean, I wouldn’t be doing it for a level if I didn’t 😂😂

It is 50/50 exam and coursework, with the exam being 2 hours long. The coursework is kinda long and stressful, but as long as you don’t waste time and fall behind, you’ll be fine. The exam ain’t too bad, you don’t need to rigorously revise it like some other subjects, but obviously there are things on there you need to know, like materials (with at least one specialised) designers etc

Reply 7

Dobbymaniac

I did GCSE OCR DT...which was 50/50 exam and coursework. I never really enjoyed DT because falling behind on coursework is the worst thing ever!!!!! Make sure u keep on top of it from the beginning and I mean from the beginning including the initial research which is the longesttt and most boring part of it alll.
Also with theory, the textbook goes into detail that never really gets tested so its always confusing what to actually revise for the exam. The resources online are scarce and rarely helpful. Personally I wouldn't go for it unless u have nothing else to pick or u LOVEEE it so much

Reply 8

_milkyway

Original post by Dobbymaniac

lmaooo i hated dt smmm im doing it rn + im so behind in coursework bc we had to do most at home bc of lockdown but for me i think the theory is kinda easy to understand, some links in w chem and bio and geo