Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91357 about?

Accepted Answer

In this standard, you'll design and build a working prototype (a test version of your product) to see if it actually does what it's supposed to do. You'll test it out, get feedback, and make changes based on what you learn. The key is to show that you've thought carefully about your choices and used real evidence (from testing and feedback) to decide whether to keep or change your design.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91357?

Accepted Answer

1. Evaluate different materials and/or components to work out which ones are actually suitable for your prototype 2. Test out practical techniques and processes to see if they work for making your prototype 3. Select appropriate materials, components, tools and equipment, and use practical techniques to make your prototype 4. Use testing results and feedback from people who'll use the product to guide your making and testing 5. Explain the decisions you made to keep or change your prototype based on the evidence

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91357?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You make a prototype and test it, making some changes based on what you find, and explain your basic decisions about what to keep or change. Merit: You refine your prototype through testing and actively use evidence from multiple rounds of testing and user feedback to improve the design throughout the making process. Excellence: You carefully synthesise all the evidence from testing and feedback, and justify (give solid reasons for) every decision you make to accept or modify your prototype.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91357?

Accepted Answer

1. Not testing the prototype thoroughly enough or only testing once instead of multiple times 2. Failing to show you actually used feedback and testing results to make decisions — just building something and leaving it as-is 3. Not explaining or justifying your decisions clearly — examiners need to understand *why* you made changes, not just that you made them

Prototype development

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