IGCSE Design & Technology (0979) — real past-paper questions, marked by AI
0979 carries the same design-and-technology course as its A*-G twin but reports grades 9 to 1: short structured questions plus design questions on materials, joining methods, and processes, marked for precise technical vocabulary. State, describe, and explain are the recurring command words — a joints question wants the named joint type, and a metals question wants the actual property, not 'it's tough'.
This hub holds 522 real 0979 questions from 17 papers set across the 2023 to 2025 sessions. Design specification questions lead the topic table (3), alongside wood joints, properties of metals, hardwoods, cutting sheet metal, turning, wood grain direction, and thermoplastics. Type your answer to a structured or design question and the AI examiner marks it instantly against the real Cambridge mark scheme, showing exactly which named material or joining method matched a marking point.
Work a topic like materials or joining methods before a full timed paper. It is free, with no signup required.
Past papers by year
2025
| Paper | Session | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 12 | May–June 2025 | 3 |
| Paper 32 | May–June 2025 | 13 |
| Paper 42 | May–June 2025 | 11 |
| Paper 52 | May–June 2025 | 5 |
2024
| Paper | Session | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 12 | May–June 2024 | 3 |
| Paper 32 | May–June 2024 | 13 |
| Paper 42 | May–June 2024 | 12 |
| Paper 52 | May–June 2024 | 5 |
| Paper 12 | October–November 2024 | 3 |
| Paper 32 | October–November 2024 | 13 |
| Paper 52 | October–November 2024 | 5 |
2023
| Paper | Session | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 12 | May–June 2023 | 3 |
| Paper 32 | May–June 2023 | 13 |
| Paper 42 | May–June 2023 | 12 |
| Paper 52 | May–June 2023 | 5 |
| Paper 12 | October–November 2023 | 3 |
| Paper 32 | October–November 2023 | 13 |
Practise IGCSE Design & Technology by topic
- Materials (9 questions)
- Structures (6 questions)
Frequently asked questions
Which 0979 papers and years are covered?
17 papers from the May–June and October–November sessions between 2023 and 2025, across Components 1, 3, 4, and 5.
What is the difference between 0979 and 0445?
0979 is the 9-1 graded version of IGCSE Design & Technology, reporting grades 9 to 1 instead of A* to G, with the same course content and exam style as 0445.
What topics come up most in 0979?
Design specification questions are heavily examined, alongside materials — wood joints, metal properties, hardwoods — and processes such as cutting sheet metal and turning.
How does the AI marking work for design and technology answers?
You type your written answer, and the AI examiner checks it against the real Cambridge mark scheme, showing which named material, joint, or process matched a marking point.
Is it really free?
Yes — every question, mark scheme, and AI marking run is free, with no signup or card details.
Are these official Cambridge papers?
The questions are transcribed from real Cambridge papers and marked against the real mark schemes, which remain © Cambridge International. Cambridge Papers is an independent study tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge.