Electronics and systems — IGCSE Design & Technology (0445) questions by topic
Electronics and systems questions cover reading circuit diagrams, naming components such as resistors and transistors, converting between units like mega, milli and micro, and explaining why a microswitch or reed switch is positioned as it is. State, give, explain, describe and add are the command words, with explain wanting the reasoning behind a component's placement, not just its name.
This page gathers 49 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers, with marks from 2 to 25 depending on whether a part is a single identification or a full circuit explanation. Because unit confusion and misidentified components are easy to make under time pressure, submitting circuit answers for instant marking lets you catch a mixed-up prefix or pin label straight away.
What examiners look for
- A recurring mistake is identifying the transistor as a diode, confusing mega with milli, and not recognising the symbol for micro.
- Examiners also flag misidentifying the transistor pins, emitter, collector and base, not stating all the words of Single Pole Double Throw, and describing the magnet as part of the contact rather than as a separate component.
- Strong answers recognised the fixed resistor and variable resistor and correctly identified nano.
- Reports praise candidates who added the emitter-to-0V connection and explained current amplification to switch a lamp, and who calculated lamp resistance with working shown alongside the full meaning of SPDT.
- Good responses clearly showed the internal parts of a reed switch and described a magnet operating the contacts.
May–June 2025, Paper 41
Complete Fig. 8.1 by naming the electronic symbols. Fig. 8.1 shows four circuit-symbol boxes, each with a blank naming line beneath: Symbol 1 Symbol 2 Symbol 3 Symbol 4 --- ---…
Answer this question and get it marked →Complete Fig. 9.1 by arranging the resistance values from the lowest value on the left to the highest value on the right. The values to arrange are: 4.7 kΩ, 3 MΩ, 100 kΩ, 82 R.…
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) The conveyor belt circuit includes several components that have to be fitted the correct way around. (a)(i) State one method of identifying the negative leg (cathode) on the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 42
State the purpose of a switch in an electronic circuit.
Answer this question and get it marked →Table 8.1 shows multiple and submultiple voltage values. Complete Table 8.1 to show each value converted into volts. One has been done for you. Table 8.1: Value Converted to Volts…
Answer this question and get it marked →Fig. 11.1 shows two incomplete light-emitting diode (LED) circuits. Fig. 11.1 shows two circuits, S and T. Circuit S has a 9 V cell, a resistor R1, an ammeter (marked A with a +…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 43
Complete Fig. 8.1 by naming the electronic symbols. Fig. 8.1 shows four boxes, each containing a circuit symbol with a blank line beneath for naming: - Box 1: a triangle pointing…
Answer this question and get it marked →Complete Fig. 9.1 by arranging the resistance values from the lowest value on the left to the highest value on the right. The four resistance values given are: 4.7 kohm, 3 Mohm,…
Answer this question and get it marked →Fig. 12.1 shows a conveyor belt used to move boxes in a manufacturing unit. A sensor circuit will stop the conveyor belt when a box is between the light source and light sensor to…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 41
Complete Table 8.1 by circling the correct unit used to measure different electrical values (one has been completed: power = kW). Electrical values: power, resistance,…
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) State how a reed switch is operated.
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) Fig. 12.1 shows a rectangular LED that will be used to show the logic level of a NAND gate output. (a)(i) State one way of identifying the negative leg (cathode) of the LED.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 42
Fig. 7.1 shows three component symbols (1, 2 and 3). State the name of each component symbol.
Answer this question and get it marked →Fig. 8.1 shows two battery symbols (each 9V). (a) Draw parallel connections between the two batteries.
Answer this question and get it marked →Complete Table 9.1 by adding the missing values (converting multiple units to ohms): 5 kΩ = ? Ω; 0.27 kΩ = ? Ω; 3 MΩ = ? Ω.
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) Fig. 12.1 shows a meter used for testing press button switches and a graph of the signal from a correctly working switch. When the press button switch is pressed and released,…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 43
Complete Table 8.1 by circling the correct unit used to measure different electrical values (one has been completed: power = kW). Electrical values: power, resistance,…
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) State how a reed switch is operated.
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) Fig. 12.1 shows a rectangular LED that will be used to show the logic level of a NAND gate output. (a)(i) State one way of identifying the negative leg (cathode) of the LED.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 41
Fig. 7.1 gives examples of electronic components and symbols. Draw lines to connect the component name to the correct symbol (one has been done: diode). Components: capacitor,…
Answer this question and get it marked →A microswitch has three terminals marked C, NC and NO. State the meaning of these letters.
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) Fig. 11.1 shows two possible designs for a printed circuit board (PCB) to be made using the photoetch process (designs A and B). (a)(i) Give one reason why design A is better…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 42
Fig. 7.1 gives examples of electronic components and symbols. Draw lines to connect the component name to the correct symbol (one has been done: diode). Components: capacitor,…
Answer this question and get it marked →A microswitch has three terminals marked C, NC and NO. State the meaning of these letters.
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) Fig. 11.1 shows two possible designs for a printed circuit board (PCB) to be made using the photoetch process (designs A and B). (a)(i) Give one reason why design A is better…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 43
Fig. 7.1 gives examples of electronic components and symbols. Draw lines to connect the component name to the correct symbol (one has been done: diode). Components: capacitor,…
Answer this question and get it marked →A microswitch has three terminals marked C, NC and NO. State the meaning of these letters.
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) Fig. 11.1 shows two possible designs for a printed circuit board (PCB) to be made using the photoetch process (designs A and B). (a)(i) Give one reason why design A is better…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 41
Fig. 7.1 shows a microswitch inside the casing of a bandsaw, with an operating spring and the bandsaw blade. (a) Give one reason why a microswitch is placed in this position.
Answer this question and get it marked →Fig. 8.1 shows two methods of connecting lamps in a circuit. Name each method of connection.
Answer this question and get it marked →Complete Table 9.1 by adding the name of each circuit symbol shown (three symbols).
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) Fig. 12.1 shows three methods of making connections to an electronic circuit: terminal block, plug and socket, spade connector. (a)(i) Give one benefit for each method.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 42
Name the electronic symbols shown in Fig. 7.1 (three symbols).
Answer this question and get it marked →Fig. 8.1 shows a toggle switch. (a) Describe the function of a toggle switch used to control a light.
Answer this question and get it marked →The list below shows abbreviations for multiple and sub-multiple units of capacitance: F, pF, microF, nF. Arrange the units in Table 9.1 in order of size, from smallest to largest.
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) Fig. 12.1 shows a rechargeable cycle light which uses 3 high intensity LEDs. (a)(i) Give two benefits of using LEDs for the cycle light.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 43
Fig. 7.1 shows a microswitch inside the casing of a bandsaw, with an operating spring and the bandsaw blade. (a) Give one reason why a microswitch is placed in this position.
Answer this question and get it marked →Fig. 8.1 shows two methods of connecting lamps in a circuit. Name each method of connection.
Answer this question and get it marked →Complete Table 9.1 by adding the name of each circuit symbol shown (three symbols).
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) Fig. 12.1 shows three methods of making connections to an electronic circuit: terminal block, plug and socket, spade connector. (a)(i) Give one benefit for each method.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 41
Fig. 7.1 shows part of an electronic circuit (9V supply, R1, VR1 and TR1). (a) State the name of the components R1, VR1 and TR1 in the circuit.
Answer this question and get it marked →Use sketches and notes to describe how a reed switch is operated.
Answer this question and get it marked →(a) Fig. 11.1 shows an incomplete circuit for a transistor amplifier (+9V supply, lamp L1, a 1 kΩ resistor and a transistor). (a)(i) Add the missing connection to Fig. 11.1.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
Fig. 7.1 shows part of an electronic circuit (9 V supply with R1, VR1 and TR1). State the name of the components R1, VR1 and TR1 in the circuit.
Answer this question and get it marked →Use sketches and notes to describe how a reed switch is operated.
Answer this question and get it marked →Fig. 11.1 shows an incomplete circuit for a transistor amplifier (+9 V, 0 V, 1 kohm, lamp L1). Add the missing connection to Fig. 11.1.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 43
Fig. 7.1 shows part of an electronic circuit (9 V supply with R1, VR1 and TR1). State the name of the components R1, VR1 and TR1 in the circuit.
Answer this question and get it marked →Use sketches and notes to describe how a reed switch is operated.
Answer this question and get it marked →Fig. 11.1 shows an incomplete circuit for a transistor amplifier (+9 V, 0 V, 1 kohm, lamp L1). Add the missing connection to Fig. 11.1.
Answer this question and get it marked →