Free WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601) Exam Questions and Answers
WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601) is WJEC's GCSE Design and Technology qualification, specification 3601, taken in Wales. The questions here come from WJEC's published question papers from June 2019 to June 2025, plus its specimen papers, with answers and marking guidance taken from WJEC's own mark schemes. Written-answer questions let you work out your answer and then reveal what the mark scheme accepts; diagrams, graphs and source material appear with the questions that use them.
Candidates comparing WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601) exam dumps, ExamTopics and other practice tests use this page for the answers and explanations behind each question. Download the free PDF, then sit the timed exam simulation before booking with WJEC.
Last updated: October 11, 2026
- Provider
- WJEC
- Questions in our bank
- 1000+
- Free to read
- First 10, with answers
- Our test mode duration & pass mark
- 130 mins · 70%
- Verified answers
- Reviewed weekly
- Practice format
- Written answers
Recommended: Switch to Test Mode to start a practice test that simulates the real exam experience.
Question #1
Study the Life Cycle Analysis diagram below. Complete the two missing stages of a Life Cycle Analysis.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Packaging (boxing up / protecting) and Disposal (recycling / landfill / end of useful life / waste)
Explanation
One mark for each correct missing stage. Accepted for the packaging stage: packaging, boxing up, protecting. Accepted for the disposal stage: disposal, recycling, landfill, end of useful life, waste.
Continue with WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601)
Unlock the full question bank
You have read the first 10 questions. A subscription opens every question in WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601), the full timed practice test, and your progress and weak-topic reporting.
Single exam
$19.99for 30 days
Full question bank and practice test for one exam, for 30 days.
Single exam
$49.99for 1 year
One exam for a full year. Nothing renews and nothing to cancel.
Full access
$39.99/mo
Every exam in the catalogue, month to month.
Full access
$199.99/yr
Every exam in the catalogue for a year.
Already subscribed? Sign in to pick up where you left off.
Question #2
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of the use of packaging to carry products from a factory to the retailers or customers. Advantage: ____ Disadvantage: ____
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Advantage: prevents damage and breakage in transit, and makes shipping easier (e.g. rectangular boxes stack well). Disadvantage: packaging needs extra space when shipping, adds cost to the product price, or can be difficult to dispose of.
Explanation
Two marks for the advantage and two for the disadvantage. Give 1 mark for a brief point with little detail, e.g. packaging makes it easier to ship products. Give 2 marks for a more detailed description, e.g. packaging makes shipping easier as most boxes are rectangular, so they stack easily. Other advantages: card is easily recyclable, can be used for advertising, can display information about the product. Other disadvantages: over-packaging uses more resources, and the customer's disposal choice may harm the environment.
Continue with WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601)
Unlock the full question bank
You have read the first 10 questions. A subscription opens every question in WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601), the full timed practice test, and your progress and weak-topic reporting.
Single exam
$19.99for 30 days
Full question bank and practice test for one exam, for 30 days.
Single exam
$49.99for 1 year
One exam for a full year. Nothing renews and nothing to cancel.
Full access
$39.99/mo
Every exam in the catalogue, month to month.
Full access
$199.99/yr
Every exam in the catalogue for a year.
Already subscribed? Sign in to pick up where you left off.
Question #3
The image below shows a commonly used AA battery found in a torch. Explain how the disposal of a battery in landfill will have a negative impact on the environment.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Batteries corrode and leach chemicals such as lead, lithium, cadmium and mercury into the ground. These are poisonous and can enter water sources, causing serious health problems for humans and animals.
Explanation
1 mark for a brief point, e.g. chemicals can get into the ground or water. 2 marks for a more detailed description naming the chemicals and saying they are poisonous or harm humans and animals. Also accepted: risk of fire or explosion from lithium-ion and LiPo batteries if knocked about.
Continue with WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601)
Unlock the full question bank
You have read the first 10 questions. A subscription opens every question in WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601), the full timed practice test, and your progress and weak-topic reporting.
Single exam
$19.99for 30 days
Full question bank and practice test for one exam, for 30 days.
Single exam
$49.99for 1 year
One exam for a full year. Nothing renews and nothing to cancel.
Full access
$39.99/mo
Every exam in the catalogue, month to month.
Full access
$199.99/yr
Every exam in the catalogue for a year.
Already subscribed? Sign in to pick up where you left off.
Question #4
The image below shows a commonly used AA battery found in a torch. Describe an alternative portable power source that would be more environmentally friendly for use in a torch.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Rechargeable batteries, which can be reused many times, so fewer batteries are thrown away and less waste goes to landfill. Alternatives: a solar-powered torch, or a dynamo (wind-up) torch.
Explanation
1 mark for a brief point, e.g. rechargeable batteries can be reused over and over. 2 marks for a more detailed description, e.g. reused several times, so batteries are thrown away less often and fewer materials are disposed of. Solar power is renewable and could charge a battery in the day for use in the dark. A dynamo is renewable and charges the torch when needed.
Continue with WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601)
Unlock the full question bank
You have read the first 10 questions. A subscription opens every question in WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601), the full timed practice test, and your progress and weak-topic reporting.
Single exam
$19.99for 30 days
Full question bank and practice test for one exam, for 30 days.
Single exam
$49.99for 1 year
One exam for a full year. Nothing renews and nothing to cancel.
Full access
$39.99/mo
Every exam in the catalogue, month to month.
Full access
$199.99/yr
Every exam in the catalogue for a year.
Already subscribed? Sign in to pick up where you left off.
Question #5
Study the picture of the wind turbine farm below. Explain one reason for the importance of considering the location of the wind turbine before installation.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Turbines need a strong, constant flow of wind to generate electricity efficiently. In a poor location they would be less efficient or produce no electricity.
Explanation
1 mark for a brief point, e.g. the turbine will not produce energy if there is not enough wind. 2 marks for a more detailed explanation. Other accepted reasons: too strong a wind can cause over-generation and damage. Built-up areas or high vegetation obscure the wind. Turbines are noisy, so they are kept away from built-up areas. Good locations include the coast, hilltops and out at sea.
Continue with WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601)
Unlock the full question bank
You have read the first 10 questions. A subscription opens every question in WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601), the full timed practice test, and your progress and weak-topic reporting.
Single exam
$19.99for 30 days
Full question bank and practice test for one exam, for 30 days.
Single exam
$49.99for 1 year
One exam for a full year. Nothing renews and nothing to cancel.
Full access
$39.99/mo
Every exam in the catalogue, month to month.
Full access
$199.99/yr
Every exam in the catalogue for a year.
Already subscribed? Sign in to pick up where you left off.
Question #6
Study the picture of the wind turbine farm below. Use the words below to label the image of the wind turbine. blade controller gears generator
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Label the four parts on the turbine image: blade, gears, generator and controller, each in its correct position.
Explanation
One mark for each correctly placed label: blade, gears, generator and controller. The positions are shown on the diagram in the original paper.
Continue with WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601)
Unlock the full question bank
You have read the first 10 questions. A subscription opens every question in WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601), the full timed practice test, and your progress and weak-topic reporting.
Single exam
$19.99for 30 days
Full question bank and practice test for one exam, for 30 days.
Single exam
$49.99for 1 year
One exam for a full year. Nothing renews and nothing to cancel.
Full access
$39.99/mo
Every exam in the catalogue, month to month.
Full access
$199.99/yr
Every exam in the catalogue for a year.
Already subscribed? Sign in to pick up where you left off.
Question #7
Study the picture of the wind turbine farm below. Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of using a wind turbine for the generation of electricity. Advantage: ____ Disadvantage: ____
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Advantage: it is a renewable, clean energy source that produces no carbon emissions, and the energy is free after set-up costs. Disadvantage: wind fluctuates, so output may be reduced or zero. Other disadvantages are noise, visual impact, harm to birds, set-up cost, and the need for suitable sites.
Explanation
Two marks for the advantage and two for the disadvantage. 1 mark for a brief point, e.g. it is a renewable energy source. 2 marks for a more detailed explanation, e.g. it is renewable so it keeps producing electricity and creates no carbon emissions. Other advantages: cost effective after set-up, usable domestically and commercially, no carbon footprint after payback. Other disadvantages: too strong a wind can damage the blades and generator, and manufacture and transport produce emissions.
Continue with WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601)
Unlock the full question bank
You have read the first 10 questions. A subscription opens every question in WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601), the full timed practice test, and your progress and weak-topic reporting.
Single exam
$19.99for 30 days
Full question bank and practice test for one exam, for 30 days.
Single exam
$49.99for 1 year
One exam for a full year. Nothing renews and nothing to cancel.
Full access
$39.99/mo
Every exam in the catalogue, month to month.
Full access
$199.99/yr
Every exam in the catalogue for a year.
Already subscribed? Sign in to pick up where you left off.
Question #8
The image below shows a biometric device for a computer. Explain two advantages of using biometric devices to access a computer. Advantage 1: ____ Advantage 2: ____
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Any two explained advantages, e.g. Security: biometrics are nearly impossible to hack, unlike passwords. Accuracy: they use unique physical traits such as fingerprints that don't fail like PINs or smart cards. Convenience: there is nothing to memorise. Also trustworthy, cost effective, and fast.
Explanation
Two marks for each of two advantages. 1 mark for a brief point, e.g. it is faster to log on. 2 marks for a more detailed description, e.g. it is faster because the system scans a person's features more quickly than typing in a password. Other accepted points: trustable, as the data is unique to the individual; saves time.
Continue with WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601)
Unlock the full question bank
You have read the first 10 questions. A subscription opens every question in WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601), the full timed practice test, and your progress and weak-topic reporting.
Single exam
$19.99for 30 days
Full question bank and practice test for one exam, for 30 days.
Single exam
$49.99for 1 year
One exam for a full year. Nothing renews and nothing to cancel.
Full access
$39.99/mo
Every exam in the catalogue, month to month.
Full access
$199.99/yr
Every exam in the catalogue for a year.
Already subscribed? Sign in to pick up where you left off.
Question #9
Complete the table below to show whether the statements about biometrics are True or False. Biometrics are able to enhance security for devices.
Correct answer: A
Explanation
One mark for True.
Continue with WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601)
Unlock the full question bank
You have read the first 10 questions. A subscription opens every question in WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601), the full timed practice test, and your progress and weak-topic reporting.
Single exam
$19.99for 30 days
Full question bank and practice test for one exam, for 30 days.
Single exam
$49.99for 1 year
One exam for a full year. Nothing renews and nothing to cancel.
Full access
$39.99/mo
Every exam in the catalogue, month to month.
Full access
$199.99/yr
Every exam in the catalogue for a year.
Already subscribed? Sign in to pick up where you left off.
Question #10
Complete the table below to show whether the statements about biometrics are True or False. A biometric sensor can detect characteristics such as a fingerprint for identification.
Correct answer: A
Explanation
One mark for True.
Continue with WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601)
Unlock the full question bank
You have read the first 10 questions. A subscription opens every question in WJEC GCSE Design and Technology (3601), the full timed practice test, and your progress and weak-topic reporting.
Single exam
$19.99for 30 days
Full question bank and practice test for one exam, for 30 days.
Single exam
$49.99for 1 year
One exam for a full year. Nothing renews and nothing to cancel.
Full access
$39.99/mo
Every exam in the catalogue, month to month.
Full access
$199.99/yr
Every exam in the catalogue for a year.
Already subscribed? Sign in to pick up where you left off.
Discussion
Explain your reasoning, not just the letterOther WJEC certifications
- WJEC GCSE Mathematics (3300) (opens in a new tab)
- WJEC GCSE Combined Science (3430) (opens in a new tab)
- WJEC GCSE Biology (3400) (opens in a new tab)
- WJEC GCSE Chemistry (3410) (opens in a new tab)
- WJEC GCSE French (3800) (opens in a new tab)
- WJEC GCSE German (3820) (opens in a new tab)
- WJEC GCSE History (3100) (opens in a new tab)
- WJEC GCSE Business (3510) (opens in a new tab)
- WJEC GCSE Geography (3110) (opens in a new tab)
- WJEC GCSE Physics (3420) (opens in a new tab)
- WJEC GCSE English Literature (3720) (opens in a new tab)
- WJEC GCSE English Language (3700) (opens in a new tab)
Reviews
Write a review★★★★★
Exam Practice is worth every penny. The mock exams are realistic, and the feedback helped me focus on key areas.
Amit SharmaVerified buyer
★★★★★
I highly recommend Exam Practice. The feedback after each test helped me improve significantly, and I passed my exams easily.
Oscar NyströmVerified buyer
★★★★★
This platform is a lifesaver. The practice questions and explanations are so detailed. It’s the best study tool I’ve ever used.
Hannah SmithVerified buyer