Cambridge International AS & A Level

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DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY 9705/03

Paper 3 A Level Written Paper For examination from 2025

SPECIMEN PAPER 2 hours 30 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

You will need: Standard drawing equipment

Coloured pencils
Calculator

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● You may use a pencil or coloured pencils for any sketches, drawings or rough working.
● You may use 30°/60° and 45° set squares, a pencil compass and templates/guides if appropriate for any
sketches or drawings.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 100.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
● All dimensions are in millimetres, unless otherwise stated.

This document has 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

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Answer all questions.

1 Fig. 1.1 shows a stand to hold a smart watch and charger.

charger
Ø25 × 5

recess Ø25 × 5 deep

10

stand

Fig. 1.1

(a) State a suitable material for the stand shown in Fig. 1.1.

Give two reasons to justify your choice.

Material ......................................................................................................................................

Reason 1 ...................................................................................................................................

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Reason 2 ...................................................................................................................................

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(b) Use sketches and notes to show how you would make one stand as shown in Fig. 1.1 in a
school workshop.

In your response, you should give details of any tools and equipment you would use.

[9]

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(c) Use sketches and notes to describe the changes which may be necessary to the design,
manufacturing method and the materials selected, to produce 5000 identical stands.

[8]

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2 (a) Explain what is meant by the term quality assurance.

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(b) Explain two benefits of introducing Total Quality Management (TQM) procedures in a
manufacturing company.

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(c) Use sketches and notes to show a method of testing the hardness of a material.

 [4]

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3 (a) A company is designing a product for a target group of customers.

Explain why information about the socio-economic background of target customers is

important to have when designing a product.

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(b) Explain one factor that a company would consider when setting the price of a product.

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(c) Explain two disadvantages of a product extension strategy that adds more features to a
product.

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4 (a) Explain the purpose of a prototype when manufacturing products.

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(b) Explain one feature of concurrent engineering.

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(c) Discuss the economic and social impact of the use of automated production systems in the
manufacture of products.

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5 (a) Describe one service sector in the design and manufacturing industry.

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(b) Explain one type of software program that is used in the development of products.

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(c) Discuss the advantages of using digital communication methods in the design of products.

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6 A company wants to develop a product that could be used for exercise at home.

The design specification states that the product must:

• enable exercise of at least one muscle group: arms, legs or stomach
• be easily stored after use
• be manufactured as a batch of 100.

(a) Use sketches and notes to produce two different innovative ideas for a product that would
enable exercise at home.

(i) Idea 1

[6]

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(ii) Idea 2

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(b) Evaluate your two ideas to select a final proposal for a product that could be used for exercise
at home.

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(c) Use sketches and notes to develop your chosen idea to show details of functions, materials,
construction and finishes.

[10]

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(d) Using a method of your own choice, draw the complete design solution.

Include key details and dimensions.

 [8]

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(e) Write a detailed manufacturing specification for your chosen idea.

Your answer should include at least four different manufacturing specification points.

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(f) Describe one quality control check that could be used on your final manufactured product.

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© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023 9705/03/SP/25