Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) Technical Drawing Syllabus

Technical Drawing syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Technical Drawing in Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Drawing Equipment and Technique

   3 topics

   • Instruments and their use
     • Tee-square, set squares and compasses
     • Pencils, line types and quality
   • Lettering and dimensioning
     • Standard lettering
     • Dimensioning conventions
   • Scales and layout
     • Drawing to scale
     • Sheet layout and title blocks
2. 2

   Geometric Construction

   3 topics

   • Lines, angles and triangles
     • Bisecting lines and angles
     • Constructing triangles
   • Polygons and circles
     • Regular polygons
     • Tangents to circles
   • Loci and curves
     • The ellipse
     • Common engineering curves
3. 3

   Orthographic Projection

   3 topics

   • First and third angle projection
     • Principles of projection
     • Symbols and conventions
   • Views of an object
     • Front, plan and end views
     • Auxiliary views
   • Sections and conventions
     • Sectional views and hatching
     • Hidden detail
4. 4

   Pictorial Drawing

   3 topics

   • Isometric projection
     • Isometric axes and scale
     • Drawing solids in isometric
   • Oblique projection
     • Cavalier and cabinet oblique
   • Perspective drawing
     • One-point perspective
     • Two-point perspective

Technical Drawing flashcards for Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE)

23 of 59 cards from the Technical Drawing deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a set square used for in technical drawing, and what two fixed-angle types are standard?

   A set square is used to draw vertical and inclined lines and to construct angles. The two standard types are the $45^{\circ}$ set square (angles $45^{\circ}, 45^{\circ}, 90^{\circ}$) and the $30^{\circ}/60^{\circ}$ set square (angles $30^{\circ}, 60^{\circ}, 90^{\circ}$).

2. Which instrument is used to draw circles and arcs, and how is the radius set?

   A pair of compasses. The radius is set by adjusting the distance between the steel pivot point and the pencil lead, measuring it against a ruler (equal to the required radius).

3. What is the function of a T-square on a drawing board?

   A T-square slides along the edge of the drawing board to draw accurate horizontal parallel lines and acts as a guiding edge against which set squares rest to draw vertical and inclined lines.

4. What are dividers used for in technical drawing?

   Dividers are used to transfer measurements accurately, to mark off equal distances, and to divide lines into a number of equal parts.

5. Which two pencil grades are typically recommended for technical drawing, and for what purposes?

   A harder pencil such as $2H$ is used for light construction and guide lines, while a softer pencil such as $HB$ (or $H$) is used for darker, bold outlines and lettering.

6. In technical lettering, what style of lettering is standard and why?

   Single-stroke upright (or slightly inclined) block capital letters are standard because they are clear, quick to draw, and easy to read, ensuring drawings are unambiguous.

7. What are guide lines in lettering and why are they used?

   Guide lines are light, thin construction lines drawn to fix the top and bottom (and sometimes spacing) of letters so that all letters have a uniform height and sit on a common baseline.

8. State the recommended proportional relationship between capital letter height and the spacing/stroke of lettering.

   As a guide, the gap between words is about equal to one letter height, the space between lines is about two-thirds of the letter height, and lowercase letter height is about two-thirds of capital height.

9. What is dimensioning in technical drawing?

   Dimensioning is the process of adding measurements (sizes, distances, angles) to a drawing using dimension lines, extension lines, arrowheads, and figures so the object can be made to the correct size.

10. Describe the difference between a dimension line and an extension (projection) line.

    An extension (projection) line is a thin line drawn outward from a feature of the object; a dimension line is a thin line drawn between two extension lines, terminated with arrowheads, on which the measurement figure is placed.

11. Where should the dimension figure be placed relative to the dimension line in standard (unidirectional) dimensioning?

    The figure is placed above and clear of the dimension line (or in a break in the line), and is read from the bottom or right-hand side of the drawing.

12. What is a leader line used for in dimensioning?

    A leader line is a thin line, usually inclined, with an arrowhead or dot at one end, used to connect a note, dimension, or label to a specific feature such as a hole or radius.

13. How is the diameter of a circle indicated on a dimension, and how is a radius indicated?

    A diameter is indicated by the symbol $\varnothing$ before the figure; a radius is indicated by the letter $R$ before the figure (e.g. $\varnothing 20$ and $R10$).

14. What is a scale in technical drawing?

    A scale is the fixed ratio between the length of a line on the drawing and the corresponding actual length on the real object.

15. Distinguish between a reducing scale, full size, and an enlarging scale.

    A reducing scale (e.g. $1:2$) makes the drawing smaller than the object; full size ($1:1$) draws the object at its true size; an enlarging scale (e.g. $2:1$) makes the drawing larger than the object.

16. If an object is drawn at a scale of $1:5$, what real length does a $40\ \text{mm}$ line on the drawing represent?

    At $1:5$ each drawn unit represents 5 real units, so $40 \times 5 = 200\ \text{mm}$.

17. Express the relationship for representative fraction (RF) of a scale.

    $$RF = \frac{\text{length on drawing}}{\text{actual length of object}}$$ (both in the same units).

18. What is meant by the 'layout' of a drawing sheet?

    The layout is the planned arrangement of the drawing on the sheet, including the border, title block, and the balanced positioning of views so the sheet is neat, readable, and well-spaced.

19. What information is typically contained in a drawing's title block?

    The title block usually contains the drawing title, scale, projection symbol/angle used, the drawer's name, date, drawing number, and sometimes material and units.

20. How many degrees are there in a complete revolution, a straight angle, and a right angle?

    A complete revolution is $360^{\circ}$, a straight angle is $180^{\circ}$, and a right angle is $90^{\circ}$.

21. Define acute, obtuse, and reflex angles by their size ranges.

    An acute angle is less than $90^{\circ}$; an obtuse angle is between $90^{\circ}$ and $180^{\circ}$; a reflex angle is between $180^{\circ}$ and $360^{\circ}$.

22. What are complementary and supplementary angles?

    Complementary angles add up to $90^{\circ}$; supplementary angles add up to $180^{\circ}$.

23. Classify triangles by their sides.

    Equilateral (all three sides equal, all angles $60^{\circ}$), isosceles (two sides equal, two equal base angles), and scalene (all three sides and angles different).

See more Technical Drawing flashcards →

Planning Technical Drawing for Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE)

Technical Drawing (Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE)) FAQ