Introduction
The Internal Assessment (IA) in IB Design Technology (DT) is one of the most rewarding — and challenging — parts of the course. It gives you the chance to showcase creativity, problem-solving, and application of the design cycle. But with first exams in 2027, many students are navigating this process for the very first time.
Unfortunately, many students lose marks not because of weak ideas, but because of avoidable mistakes in execution and documentation. In this guide, we’ll break down the most common IB Design Technology IA mistakes and explain how to fix them. For structured guidance, RevisionDojo’s IB Design Technology hub provides resources built for the 2027 syllabus.
Mistake 1: Choosing an Overly Broad Topic
- The problem: Students sometimes select a problem too big for the IA timeframe (e.g., “redesigning a city’s transport system”).
- The fix: Narrow the focus to something manageable (e.g., “designing a portable bike storage solution for urban commuters”).
Mistake 2: Weak Problem Definition
- The problem: Vague problem statements lead to unfocused projects.
- The fix: Clearly identify a user group, their needs, and the specific challenge you’re addressing.
Mistake 3: Insufficient Research
- The problem: Skipping proper background research weakens design justification.
- The fix: Gather data from multiple sources — surveys, user feedback, existing products, and sustainability considerations.
