AQA GCSE Engineering Revision

The full topic list for AQA GCSE Engineering, taken from the current specification, and how to revise every topic with AI marked practice.

14 topic groups · 120 numbered specification points · 134 checklist items

Official AQA specification (opens in a new tab)

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Engineering topic list

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Mechanical systems
- 1.1 Subject content
- 1.2 Mathematical understanding
- 1.3 Linkages
- 1.4 Conversion of motion including rotary to reciprocating and linear to oscillating
- 1.5 E14, E15
- 1.6 Gear trains including chains and sprockets
- 1.7 Cams and followers (including the use of cams within an engine)
- 1.8 Ratio of simple gears and mechanical advantage
- 1.9 M1.4, M3.2, M3.3
Electrical systems
- 2.1 Subject content
- 2.2 Mathematical understanding
- 2.3 Electrical systems comprising
- 2.4 power supplies (mains and batteries)
- 2.5 input control devices (for example relays and switches)
- 2.6 output devices (motors, buzzers, bells, lamps and solenoids)
- 2.7 The difference between Alternating and Direct Current
- 2.8 M3.2, M3.3, M3.4, M4.1, M4.5
Electronic systems
- 3.1 Subject content
- 3.2 Electronic systems comprising
- 3.3 analogue and digital signals
- 3.4 timers
- 3.5 comparators
- 3.6 M3.1, M3.2
- 3.7 7 segment display
- 3.8 piezo sounder
- 3.9 diodes (signal, rectifying)
- 3.10 E12, E13, M2.1, M2.3
Pneumatic systems
- 4.1 Subject content
- 4.2 Mathematical understanding
- 4.3 The uses of and differences between pneumatic and hydraulic circuits. Exam questions may focus on the specific circuits and students may be expected to provide an example of when the different types of circuits could be used and why
- 4.4 robotics
- 4.5 process/factory automation
- 4.6 machinery
Modelling and calculating
- 5.1 Subject content
- 5.2 Predicting performance in any of the systems referred to in Systems
- 5.3 design and test electronic circuits
- 5.4 Exam questions will not examine complex systems with more than four major component parts
- 5.5 area
- 5.6 stiffness
- 5.7 Young's Modulus
- 5.8 forces within/applied to a component or a system
- 5.9 resistance in series and parallel, current or voltage
- 5.10 M1.1, M1.2, M2.3, M2.4, M3.2, M3.3, M3.4, M4.1, M4.2, M4.3, M4.4, M4.5
Testing
- 6.1 Students will be expected to understand and utilise the following testing methods
- 6.2 Mathematical understanding
- 6.3 Students will be expected to use calculations, simulations and modelling either manually or with Computer Aided Design (CAD) to
- 6.4 calculate hydraulic/pneumatic forces
- 6.5 M4.1, M4.2
- 6.6 Destructive and non-destructive testing
- 6.7 Testing control programs for programmable devices through modelling and enactment
- 6.8 Modifying a program to improve performance
- 6.9 Quality control methods
- 6.10 M1.4, M2.2
Aerodynamics
- 7.1 Subject content
- 7.2 Mathematical understanding
- 7.3 Students will be expected to understand the following terms
- 7.4 lift
- 7.5 drag
- 7.6 thrust
- 7.7 Students may be asked about these terms within a context and they should be able to give an example (eg when refining the design of a compressed gas powered dragster)
- 7.8 Any appropriate example will be acceptable
Material removal
- 8.1 sawing
- 8.2 shearing
- 8.3 laser
- 8.4 cylindrical
- 8.5 tapered
- 8.6 face
- 8.7 slot
- 8.8 using a pillar drill
- 8.9 centre drilling in the lathe
- 8.10 PCB manufacture (alternative manufacturing methods will also be accepted)
Shaping
- 9.1 bending
- 9.2 folding
- 9.3 press forming
- 9.4 composite lay up
- 9.5 punching
- 9.6 stamping
- 9.7 angles
- 9.8 tolerances
- 9.9 pressure or force
Joining and assembly
- 10.1 rivets
- 10.2 threaded fastenings
- 10.3 soldering (soft and hard)
- 10.4 brazing
- 10.5 welding
Surface finishing
- 11.1 Painting
- 11.2 Dip coating
- 11.3 Electroplating
- 11.4 Galvanising
- 11.5 Polishing
Materials and their properties
- 12.1 Students should have knowledge and understanding of the following groups/classifications of engineering materials. Students should be able to identify these materials based on their physical appearances and the following properties
- 12.2 Metals and alloys
- 12.3 steel alloys (stainless steel)
- 12.4 Students will not be expected to have practical experience of working with all of these metals/alloys but exam questions could refer to any of the properties listed
- 12.5 corrosion
- 12.6 polycarbonate
- 12.7 vulcanised rubber
- 12.8 Plywood
- 12.9 direction/alignment of reinforcement
- 12.10 Students will not be expected to have practical experience of working with all of these materials but exam questions could refer to any of the properties listed
Material costs and supply
- 13.1 Students should have knowledge and understanding of the cost, availability, form and supply of the engineering materials listed in Materials and their properties
- 13.2 Mathematical understanding
- 13.3 Students will be expected to know the comparative costs of different materials within and across these groups eg copper vs gold for use as electrical components or timber vs steel for structural components
- 13.4 They will also be expected to provide and discuss at least three examples
- 13.5 Students will be expected to understand the following
- 13.6 waste produced
- 13.7 M1.1, M1.2
- 13.8 machined
- 13.9 shaped
- 13.10 Students will be expected to be familiar with these concepts in relation to the materials listed
Factors influencing design of solutions
- 14.1 Subject content
- 14.2 wind
- 14.3 fossil fuels
- 14.4 Engineered lifespans
- 14.5 The need for and methods of maintenance of engineered products
- 14.6 enable efficiency of operation
- 14.7 compensating for wear
- 14.8 M1.1, M1.2, M1.3
- 14.9 Cost is affected by the availability of materials, and using non-standard forms will increase cost
- 14.10 Users requiring solutions that are higher strength or lower weight means choosing materials such as titanium or carbon fibre composites, and may require more specialist manufacturing processes

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