What version of SolidWorks is required for the 2012 Student Assignment?

The State Examinations Commission has indicated that SolidWorks 2009 Education Edition is the version of the CAD software that will be required for the 2012 DCG Student Assignments.  The situation for 2013 will be reviewed at a future date.

The following is taken from the SEC circular S60/11

“The completion date for the DCG student assignment is 20th January 2012. As examination candidate numbers will not be available at this time, students should use their name and date of birth as a means of identification on their design portfolio and on the main folder contained on the CD. The name of this folder should be in the following format “DCG SA 2012 (Student Name Date of birth)”. E.g. “DCG SA 2012 (John Smith 04-07-1994)”. Please note the use of dashes in the date of birth format.”

Where can I get guidance on what should be included in a completed DCG Student Assignment?

It is important to carefully read the ‘Instruction to candidates’ and the marking scheme that is issued by the State Examinations Commission along with the Higher and Ordinary Level briefs. T4 has also developed a ‘Guide to the Student Assignment’. The purpose of this document is to offer guidance to both teachers and students on possible approaches to successfully completing the DCG Student Assignment by drawing on the knowledge, experience and wisdom gained from the development of the Student Assignment process to date.  Printed copies of the document are available from Galway Education Centre at a cost of €5 each.  The document is also free to download from www.t4.ie

Do all SolidWorks files have to be saved as pdf files for the Student Assignment?

No.  The Drawing files are the only SolidWorks files that are saved in pdf format.  These go into the “Portfolio in Electronic Format” folder.  All SolidWorks files (Parts, Assemblies, Drawings, eDrawings) are saved into the “Part A” and “Part B” subfolders in the “SolidWorks Files” folder. 

What pages of the Student Assignment need to be scanned?

The sheets containing the originals sketches for Output 3 and Output 8 must be scanned in pdf format.  Any other Word or Publisher documents that contain any freehand sketches or handwriting will have to be scanned. “Original, non scanned, sketches should be presented for Outputs 3 and 8. This not only helps to support the authenticity of the work but also provides candidates with an opportunity to use a wider variety of drawing media than would be possible with electronically scanned images.” (SEC, Chief Examiner’s Report, DCG, LC 2009, p. 59).

I am concerned that some of the pupils doing the higher level will be out of their depth when doing the terminal examination, but are working very well on the Student Assignment. What is your view on students doing the Ordinary level paper even though they will be handing up a Higher level project?

This was mentioned in the DCG Chief Examiners Report,” The candidates’ choice of level needs to be carefully considered prior to starting the Student Assignment. This will avoid having to change level at the final examination stage and will maximise the benefit in terms of marks, to the candidate”. It was something that T4 also covered during professional development sessions and is an issue that students should think long and hard about. If a student submits the Student assignment at Higher level it will then be corrected at Higher level, however if they then sit the Ordinary level paper in June, it will be corrected at  Ordinary level. The result issued to the students will be an Ordinary level result, the lowest level of the two components. If you need further clarification or advice you should contact the S.E.C, as we are not in a position to comment further on examination material as it is outside the remit of the support service.