Leaving Cert Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) is assessed through a student project and a three-hour written exam for both higher and ordinary levels. Here's a breakdown:
Guide
Everything you need to study Leaving Cert DCG
- 1 minute read
If you like problem-solving and being creative, this is the subject for you. Here is everything you need to know about DCG as a Leaving Cert exam subject and also how Studyclix can help you to achieve top marks in it.
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What's involved?
Project
This project is worth 40%. You will have to submit a project toward the end of 6th year which will be on a given theme which is outlined in a brief (normally released in September). This project will assess areas such as freehand sketching, computer-aided design (CAD) and design capabilities. Students must use the software SolidWorks to produce CAD models and drawings.
Students are also required to present a hard copy of their assignment along with a CD or USB flash drive containing an electronic format of their portfolio and SolidWorks files.
Written exam
The written exam is worth 60% of the overall grade and consists of 3 sections:
- Section A contains short questions where you must answer three out of four questions.
- Section B contains long questions where you must answer two of three questions.
- Section C contains more long questions where you answer two out of five questions.
This project is worth 40%. You will have to submit a project toward the end of 6th year which will be on a given theme which is outlined in a brief (normally released in September). This project will assess areas such as freehand sketching, computer-aided design (CAD) and design capabilities. Students must use the software SolidWorks to produce CAD models and drawings.
Students are also required to present a hard copy of their assignment along with a CD or USB flash drive containing an electronic format of their portfolio and SolidWorks files.
How to study DCG
Practice past exam questions
One of the most effective ways to study DCG is to practice past exam paper questions. The more questions you can do, the fewer surprises you'll have on the day of your exam.
This is why we have broken down all of the past exam paper questions into neat topics. This will save you loads of time searching for the right questions. You can find a list of question topics on the DCG subject page.
Top tip
If you are finding particular questions tricky, why not add them to your collections? This will make practicing them a lot easier.
Read our H1/O1 guide
DCG is a subject that lets you explore your problem-solving and creative side. In this guide, DCG teacher Val O'Connell shares his top tips on how to get a H1 in the exam and the project.
Read our O1 guide here.
Quizzes
Studyclix Quizzes can be the perfect solution if you are looking for an effective new way to study. Here are some reasons why you should check them out:
They have been created by subject experts.
They are inspired by past exam paper questions.
They are quick to go through.
They turn studying into a fun game.
If you would like to check these out, click the quiz button on the top right corner of the DCG subject page.
Studyclix Community Page
If you have a question about DCG, you can find the answer on Studyclix. On our community page, there are loads of students and teachers who would be willing to help you out. You can ask for study advice, find useful notes and much more. Check out the community page here.
Have some ideas for more resources?
Have ideas on more DCG resources you would like to see? Get in touch by emailing info@studyclix.ie 