ECZ · GCE Exam Companion
GCE Geometrical and Mechanical Drawing
Plane and solid geometry, pictorial representation and mechanical assembly drawing, practised through original written construction, projection, convention and calculation questions.
The papers
Paper 1
Plane and solid geometry
Eight drawing questions are arranged in plane and solid geometry sections. Candidates answer five, with no more than three from either section, for 100 marks in 2 hours 40 minutes. These revision tasks assess the methods in writing rather than requiring drawings.
Paper 2
Freehand sketching and mechanical assembly
Two compulsory tasks carry 100 marks: a freehand pictorial sketch worth 16 marks and an assembly drawing task worth 84 marks. The main working time is 2 hours 40 minutes, with an additional 10 minutes to read the assembly instructions; written practice here covers interpretation, assembly, sections and conventions.
Topics
How often each topic came up across the 4 GCE papers from 2016 to 2017 that we studied. Start with the topics that come up most.
- 1. Polygons and Equal Area Constructions FreeIn 2 of 4 papers
- 2. Tangency and Ellipse ConstructionIn 2 of 4 papers
- 3. Rolling Loci and TangentsIn 2 of 4 papers
- 4. Isometric Representation and Freehand SketchingIn 4 of 4 papers
- 5. Orthographic and Auxiliary ProjectionIn 4 of 4 papers
- 6. True Lengths and LaminaeIn 2 of 4 papers
- 7. Sections and True Shapes of SolidsIn 2 of 4 papers
- 8. Intersections and Surface DevelopmentsIn 2 of 4 papers
- 9. Mechanical Assemblies and Sectional ConventionsIn 2 of 4 papers
- 10. Dimensions Threads and Drawing PresentationIn 2 of 4 papers
Bright Minds practice questions in the GCE style, not official ECZ examination questions.