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IB Design Technology
SL · Lesson 52 · Paper 1 Retrieval Lab
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Lesson 52 · Unit 7

Paper 1 —
Retrieval Lab

Shift from “I remember seeing this” to fast, accurate recognition across the entire SL syllabus.

80 minutesPaper 1 · 30 marks · 1 hour
Guiding question: Can you recognize the right design concept when the question disguises it inside a new product context?01
Today’s destination

By the end of class, you should be able to…

01

Know the paper

Understand the role, timing and format of Paper 1.

02

Retrieve broadly

Recall concepts from all 13 SL topics.

03

Discriminate precisely

Separate easily confused terms and strategies.

04

Correct actively

Turn every error into a specific retrieval target.

Success check: Use accurate terminology, then apply it to unfamiliar design contexts.
REVIEW · Paper 1 retrieval02
First assessment 2027

External assessment = 60% of SL

Paper 1 and Paper 2 both draw from design in theory, design in practice and design in context.

20%

Paper 1

1 hour · 30 marks · multiple-choice · SL material only.

40%

Paper 2

1 h 30 min · 50 marks · short-answer + extended-response.

40%

Design project

Internal assessment · 33 marks.

Assessment map · SL03
People

User + responsibility

A1.1 ErgonomicsB1.1 User-centred designC1.1 Responsibility of the designerC1.2 Inclusive design
Process

Research + development

A2.1 User-centred research methodsA2.2 Prototyping techniquesB2.1 The design processB2.2 Modelling and prototypingC2.1 Design for sustainabilityC2.2 Design for a circular economy
Product

Material + analysis

A3.1 Material classification and propertiesB3.1 Material selectionC3.1 Product analysis and evaluation
13 SL topics · one connected system04
A public door handle must be usable by the greatest practical range of adult users. Which strategy is most appropriate?
A1.1 · percentiles + reach/clearance05
A designer wants to discover where users hesitate while completing a real checkout task. Which method gives the most direct behavioural evidence?
A2.1 / B1.1 · research method fit06
Which technique is most appropriate when a designer needs a quick physical prototype with complex geometry for user feedback?
A2.2 · rapid prototyping07
A reusable food container absorbs moisture from the environment and changes mass. Which property is most relevant?
A3.1 · chemical properties08
Which design decision most directly supports a circular-economy strategy?
C2.2 · circular economy09
A design team disassembles a competing product, measures component performance and identifies why a latch fails. What are they using?
C3.1 · testing + reverse engineering10

True statement ≠ right answer

A distractor may be factually true but irrelevant to the exact design question.

Category traps

Do not confuse a research method, a prototype, a material property and an evaluation tool.

Absolute wording

Words such as “always” or “only” deserve extra scrutiny in design contexts with trade-offs.

Nearest concept

IB questions often test whether you can choose the most appropriate concept—not merely a related one.

Paper 1 habit: classify the question first: user? process? material? sustainability? product analysis?
MCQ strategy · classify before selecting11
When is the 5th percentile often useful?
When a design must accommodate smaller users for a reach-related requirement; the exact choice depends on the scenario.
Name the five usability objectives.
Learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors and satisfaction.
Why can designing for the “average person” fail?
The 50th percentile is not a universal fit; users vary in physical, sensory and cognitive capabilities.
A1.1 · B1.1 · C1.212
Primary vs secondary research?
Primary research gathers first-hand data; secondary research uses data/information created by others.
Low vs high fidelity?
Low fidelity is faster/cheaper for early exploration; high fidelity more closely represents final form/function for later testing—each has trade-offs.
What is the model–test–refine cycle for?
To iteratively improve a solution using performance data and intended-user feedback until major requirements are addressed.
A2.1 · A2.2 · B2.1 · B2.213
Six physical properties in A3.1?
Density, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, melting point, electrical resistivity and electrical conductivity.
What does constructive discontent do?
It deliberately identifies where a product is not meeting user needs so opportunities for improvement become visible.
Material selection is based on more than properties—what else?
Aesthetic characteristics, cost, availability, sustainability and research evidence.
A3.1 · B3.1 · C3.114
1

Name the concept

Write the exact syllabus term you missed.

2

Explain the confusion

What wrong concept did you choose and why?

3

Make a contrast

Write one sentence separating the two concepts.

4

Retrieve later

Re-answer a new example without notes tomorrow.

Error correction · retrieval loop15
Pre-break checkpoint

Do not “study everything” at once.

Leave with a short error list: 3–5 concepts that genuinely need retrieval. That list is more useful than rereading 13 topic headings.

Targeted review beats passive rereading16
Exit ticket

Before you leave…

1. Name the two SL topics you retrieved most confidently today.
2. Write one distractor pattern that fooled you.
3. Choose one topic for a 10-minute retrieval session before next class.
Next lesson

Paper 2 — Reasoning & Command Terms

Keep the retrieval loop moving: recall → apply → check → correct → revisit.

Curriculum alignment
SL assessment: Paper 1 is 1 hour, 30 marks, multiple-choice, drawn from design in theory, design in practice and design in context; both Paper 1 and Paper 2 weight AO1+AO2 and AO3 approximately 50/50. Cumulative retrieval across all 13 SL topics.
Lesson complete17 slides
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IB Design Technology SL · Lesson 5217