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Drawing, CAD and CAM for GCSE Engineering

GCSE Engineering, Testing and drawing. Usually met in years 9 to 11.

Learn the conventions of engineering drawings and the tools used to measure and mark out, and how CAD and CAM are used.

What you practise

Starts with sketches and CAD and builds to drawing standards and G-code. Practice moves up a level when a round goes well and down when it does not.

Sample questions

Each sample comes with the method and the reason every wrong option is wrong. Real practice rounds are ten questions at your level.

Sample question, level 2 of 5

What does ‘radius’ mean?

  1. The box on a drawing that gives its title, scale, units and who drew it
  2. A drawing that shows the parts of a product separated along the lines they fit together
  3. Adding colour, texture and light to a drawing or model so it looks realistic
  4. Computer-aided design: using software to design and draw products
  5. The distance from the centre of a circle to its edge, marked R on drawings
Show the answer and method

Answer: E, The distance from the centre of a circle to its edge, marked R on drawings

The method: Radius means the distance from the centre of a circle to its edge, marked R on drawings.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • A, The box on a drawing that gives its title, scale, units and who drew it: That describes title block.
  • B, A drawing that shows the parts of a product separated along the lines they fit together: That describes exploded view.
  • C, Adding colour, texture and light to a drawing or model so it looks realistic: That describes rendering.
  • D, Computer-aided design: using software to design and draw products: That describes CAD.

Sample question, level 4 of 5

What does ‘diameter symbol’ mean?

  1. A tool for drawing circles and arcs
  2. The unit usually used for dimensions on engineering drawings
  3. A measurement shown on a drawing, usually in millimetres
  4. The box on a drawing that gives its title, scale, units and who drew it
  5. The symbol ⌀ placed before a size to show it is a diameter
Show the answer and method

Answer: E, The symbol ⌀ placed before a size to show it is a diameter

The method: Diameter symbol means the symbol ⌀ placed before a size to show it is a diameter.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • A, A tool for drawing circles and arcs: That describes compass.
  • B, The unit usually used for dimensions on engineering drawings: That describes millimetre.
  • C, A measurement shown on a drawing, usually in millimetres: That describes dimension.
  • D, The box on a drawing that gives its title, scale, units and who drew it: That describes title block.

See where this fits: every GCSE option topic and Key Stage 3.

Related topics: Testing and quality, Measurement and tolerances.