WJEC Level 1 and 2 Engineering – Design, Manufacture, and Problem Solving Practice Exam

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Which term refers to information gathered from existing sources such as textbooks, websites, standards or product reviews to inform design decisions?
• Manufacturing controlled by computer programs to improve accuracy and repeatability.
• What describes the ability of a material to stretch or be drawn into a wire?
• Shear strength is especially important in which components?
• Describe a simple method of joining two pieces of wood without fasteners.
• Which term is information returned to control or adjust a system?
• A dry finishing process that produces a durable, high‑quality surface finish.
• How does a solder join differ from a brazing or welding joint?
• Which term denotes a change made to enhance performance or fix issues in a design?
• What is the subtractive manufacturing process using a rotating cutter to remove material?
• A machining process where material rotates on a lathe while a cutting tool shapes it.
• Which material is made by combining two or more different materials to improve strength or durability?
• Which term refers to a freehand drawing used early in the design process to quickly communicate ideas without focusing on accuracy?
• Which term describes a metal that does not contain iron, often lightweight and corrosion resistant, such as aluminium or copper?
• What is a primary manufacturing process, and give an example for metals and plastics.
• What is bioinspiration in design?
• What is the purpose of stakeholder analysis in the design process?
• Which term describes a metal that contains iron, is usually magnetic and prone to corrosion unless protected?
• What is a decision matrix and how is it used in selecting a concept?
• Which statement is NOT a potential benefit of documenting design decisions?
• What is the relationship between function and safety in a design specification?
• Which term describes adjustments to address faults in a product?
• Joining materials using glue, spreading stress evenly across the joint.
• What does material density measure?
• What does CAD stand for in design practice?
• Why is it important to document design decisions?
• Which term describes evaluating hazards and implementing measures to ensure safety in the workplace?
• Which term best describes written notes added to drawings to explain materials, dimensions, functions and design decisions?
• Which material is typically lightweight and corrosion resistant, such as aluminium or copper?
• Which term describes written notes added to drawings to explain materials, dimensions, functions and design decisions?
• In product design, density affects weight and which other aspect?
• What is a measure of how effectively a product performs its intended function safely and reliably?
• How does a design for manufacturability (DFM) approach help production?
• Which group is typically considered a stakeholder in product design?
• Which statement describes the primary purpose of a bill of materials?
• Which statement best describes quality assurance (QA)?
• COSHH stands for which safety regulation?
• Explain the concept of "quality assurance" versus "quality control."
• What is concept generation and name two techniques used to generate ideas?
• Which property describes a material's resistance to scratching, abrasion or indentation?
• During product development, repeating the process to refine the solution after testing is called?
• An electrochemical process that thickens the oxide layer on aluminium for protection and appearance.
• A welding process using a continuously fed wire electrode and shielding gas.
• Which statement about design measurement targets is true?
• Which of the following is NOT a typical criterion included in a design specification?
• Which term refers to the process of building models to test design before production?
• Which term describes measuring performance to check whether requirements are met?
• Which is a primary manufacturing process for plastics?
• Which term describes a change intended to improve existing performance without starting from scratch?
• Which of the following is a plastics fabrication process?
• Which concept focuses on reducing environmental impact across the entire life of a product?
• What is a 'work envelope' in relation to a machine tool?
• Which statement best describes a design for manufacturability (DFM) consideration?
• What is 'de-burring' and why is it important?
• Which term describes evaluating environmental impact from production to end-of-life?
• Which process is commonly used to apply a durable, powdery finish that is heated to cure?
• Which of the following is a safety control used when operating a bench saw?
• What is the maximum stress a material can withstand when being pulled before it breaks?
• What term describes repeating the design or problem-solving process based on testing and feedback?
• Which term describes a detailed list of requirements the product must meet, often written as measurable criteria such as size, materials, safety and performance?
• A force applied to a structure or component that it must support is called what?
• What is the purpose of a design brief in the engineering design process?
• Which statement about finishing processes is true?
• The electrical potential difference that drives current through a circuit is called
• Identifying hazards, evaluating risks and applying control measures to ensure safety.
• In a cyclical design process, repeating the steps to refine after testing is called what?
• Why is it important to consider tolerances in assembly?
• Which statement differentiates planing from sanding?
• Which term describes a clear and concise statement outlining the problem to be solved, the intended user, and the purpose of the product?
• Which property describes the resistance of a material to indentation or scratching?
• Explain the difference between turning and milling.
• The extension of a material divided by its original length is called
• Which finishing process is common for aluminum to improve surface properties?
• What term refers to a change that improves performance after testing?
• Which process produces a continuous profile by forcing material through a shaped die?
• Which term specifically refers to a change that improves how a product works after testing?
• Which of the following is an example of CAD software?
• What is the main purpose of including constraints?
• Which term describes factors that limit design choices, including cost, time, available materials, manufacturing processes, safety or environmental issues?
• Increasing material density in a product generally leads to which effect?
• Which term describes factors that limit design choices, including cost, time, available materials, manufacturing processes, safety or environmental issues?
• Define tensile strength and how it is tested.
• Define risk assessment in health and safety and list one method to reduce risk.
• Which term describes the creation of physical or digital prototypes to test size, shape, function or assembly before final manufacture?
• What is the purpose of a material properties table when selecting materials?
• Which term refers to equipment worn to reduce risk of injury?
• Which high‑volume manufacturing process where molten plastic is injected into a mould under pressure?
• Which finish is noted for providing UV protection?
• Which process refers to checking that each component adheres to precise dimensions and tolerances?
• Which term describes a material formed by combining two or more materials to improve strength and stiffness?
• What term describes a plastic that undergoes a chemical change during curing and cannot be reshaped once set?
• What is tolerance and why is it important in manufacturing?
• Checking components during manufacture to ensure they meet tolerances and standards.
• An electrical circuit where current flows through one path only is called
• If a prototype fails and you redo the design based on test results, this is called?
• Difference between a user requirement and a design constraint?
• What is a rapid prototype and give one advantage.
• A circuit with multiple paths, allowing components to work independently, is called
• Which term describes a 3D drawing where vertical lines remain vertical and horizontal lines are drawn at 30°, used to show the shape of a product clearly?
• What is the process of repeating the design steps to improve a solution based on feedback called?
• Which term refers to identifying limitations that affect possible solutions?
• Define "fit" and "clearance" in engineering tolerances.
• What is the process of judging how well a design meets the specification and identifying areas for improvement?
• The turning effect of a force around a pivot, calculated as force × distance, is known as
• Which of the following best describes a change to improve performance after testing?
• Name two types of finishing processes used on metals.
• What is a finishing process and give two examples.
• A push or pull that can change the shape or motion of an object, measured in newtons (N), is defined as which term?
• Which term describes the ability of a material to absorb energy and resist impact without fracturing?
• Why is ergonomic consideration important in product design?
• Which term describes a device that detects changes in physical conditions such as light, temperature or pressure?
• COSHH stands for which regulation?
• Which statement describes the primary purpose of a bill of materials?
• Which term refers to research collected directly from users or clients, such as questionnaires, interviews or observations, to inform design decisions?
• The force applied to a material divided by its cross-sectional area is called
• Which term describes the device that detects changes in physical conditions such as light, temperature or pressure?
• What describes the ability of a material to be shaped by compression, such as hammering or rolling?
• Which term describes designing products to minimise environmental impact through material choice, energy use, manufacturing and disposal?
• In batch production, how are items typically produced?
• Which term involves identifying limitations that affect possible solutions?
• Which term denotes the specific group of users the product is designed for, identified by factors like age, gender, lifestyle or occupation?
• Which term means clearly defining what needs to be solved before generating solutions?
• Which term refers to information gathered from existing sources such as textbooks, websites, standards or product reviews to inform design decisions?
• What is the subtractive process where a rotating cutter removes material?
• Which term refers to the ability of a material to withstand pulling forces before breaking?
• Which is a primary manufacturing process for metals?
• Which term is a freehand drawing used early in the design process to quickly communicate ideas?
• Which term describes the result produced by a system after processing inputs?
• What term describes changes made to improve performance or solve faults?
• Which term describes the creation of physical or digital prototypes to test size, shape, function or assembly before final manufacture?
• In the design process, what is the process called when you go through the steps again to refine a solution after testing?
• Which term denotes a technical drawing showing multiple 2D views (front, side, plan) used to communicate accurate dimensions for manufacture?
• What is a functional requirement in a design specification?
• Which term means making a change to improve a product?
• In the engineering problem-solving cycle, repeating steps based on results is called what?
• What does an isometric drawing show and why is it useful?
• Which metal contains iron, is usually magnetic and prone to corrosion unless protected?
• Which term describes opposition to the flow of current in a circuit, measured in ohms?
• Which term corresponds to the activity of verifying the system's performance against requirements?
• Explain the difference between a design brief and a specification.
• What is a scale drawing and why is it used in design?
• Which of the following is NOT a finishing operation?
• Which term describes joining metals using a low-melting-point filler to create a bond at relatively low temperatures?
• A continuous process where material is forced through a shaped die to create a constant cross‑section?
• Joining metals using a low‑melting alloy, commonly used in electronics.
• Which term is the action that changes the input?
• Which set correctly lists four types of finishes and a key effect on appearance or durability?
• What is a jig and a fixture and what is their purpose?
• What factors should be considered for sustainable design?
• Which term refers to the stages a product goes through: raw material extraction, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal?
• Which statement best defines a non-functional requirement?
• The extension of a material divided by its original length is known as what?
• What is shear strength?
• Which term means energy or information entering a system?
• Which views are typically included in orthographic projections?
• Which term describes designing products so materials can be easily separated and reused at end of life?
• What is a design specification?
• What are orthographic projections in engineering drawings?
• What does CAD stand for, and what is it used for?
• Which term is the result produced by the system?
• The turning effect of a force around a pivot, calculated as force × distance, is called what?
• Which process primarily removes material to create flat surfaces?
• PPE stands for what in safety context?
• Which property describes how easily a material can be deformed by compression?
• Steps of the design process in order.
• How do you calculate the volume of a rectangular block?
• What is a safe way to choose and use hand tools?
• What is the purpose of a control chart in quality management?
• Define 'lifecycle assessment' in sustainability.
• Which manufacturing process involves molten metal poured into a mould and allowed to solidify?
• Which plastic softens when heated and hardens when cooled, allowing it to be reshaped and recycled?
• Which describes a design for assembly (DFA) approach?
• The force divided by cross-sectional area equals what term?
• Which term refers to information used to adjust a system based on measured output?
• Which term describes the flow of electric charge through a circuit, measured in amperes?
• Differentiate between one-off production and batch production.
• Which term denotes the specific group of users the product is designed for, identified by factors such as age, gender, lifestyle or occupation?
• How can you identify whether a design is fit for purpose?
• What is a bill of materials (BOM) and why is it important?
• In milling, which statement describes the operation?