Lesson 3.3.8

3.3.8 Tolerances Quiz: AQA Design & Technology, Unit 3

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.3.8, Tolerances: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Design & Technology (8552), Unit 3: Designing and making principles, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What term describes the permitted variation from a specified dimension?

    • Allowance
    • Stock form
    • Clearance
    • Tolerance

  2. A dimension of 50 mm +/- 0.5 mm. What is the minimum acceptable size?

    • 51.0 mm
    • 49.5 mm
    • 50.5 mm
    • 49.0 mm

  3. A dimension of 50 mm +/- 0.5 mm. What is the width of the tolerance band?

    • 0.5 mm
    • 2.0 mm
    • 1.0 mm
    • 0.25 mm

  4. Why are tolerances applied during manufacturing and making activities?

    • Improve aesthetic appeal
    • Reduce material mass
    • Ensure correct assembly
    • Lower raw costs

  5. Which extra material is added to a pattern so pieces can be joined by sewing?

    • Seam allowance
    • Tolerance band
    • Datum
    • Template

  6. A resistor of 100 ohms has a 5 per cent tolerance. What is its range?

    • 95 to 105 ohms
    • 100 to 105 ohms
    • 5 to 100 ohms
    • 90 to 110 ohms

  7. A dimension is written as 25 +0.2/-0.1 mm. What is the maximum acceptable size?

    • 24.9 mm
    • 25.3 mm
    • 25.2 mm
    • 25.1 mm

  8. A dimension is written as 40 +/- 0.2 mm. What is the range?

    • 40.0 mm only
    • 39.6 mm to 40.4 mm
    • 40.2 mm to 40.4 mm
    • 39.8 mm to 40.2 mm

  9. A shelf support hole must be 8 mm +/- 0.1 mm. Which measurement is acceptable?

    • 8.05 mm
    • 8.2 mm
    • 7.8 mm
    • 8.15 mm

  10. A panel is 500 mm plus or minus 1 mm. Is a measured edge of 499 mm acceptable?

    • Only if sanded
    • No
    • Only if heated
    • Yes

  11. What is the maximum permitted size for a 10 mm part with a +/- 0.3 mm tolerance?

    • 10.0 mm
    • 10.7 mm
    • 10.3 mm
    • 10.6 mm

  12. Why is extra material added to a fabric pattern piece as a seam allowance?

    • To allow joining
    • To add stiffness
    • To increase insulation
    • To prevent fraying

  13. A resistor of 470 ohms has a 5 per cent tolerance. What is the acceptable range?

    • 470 to 475 ohms
    • 450 to 490 ohms
    • 446.5 to 493.5 ohms
    • 423 to 517 ohms

  14. Why is a manufacturing tolerance of plus or minus 2 mm harder to achieve than plus or minus 5 mm?

    • Increased component weight
    • Higher material cost
    • Narrower acceptable band
    • Softer raw stock

  15. Which tool is best used to check if a machined part lies within size limits?

    • Go/no go gauge
    • Engineer square
    • Micrometer screw gauge
    • Vernier caliper

  16. A 120 mm finished card piece needs a cut size of 125 mm. How much allowance is added to each side?

    • 2.5 mm
    • 1.25 mm
    • 10 mm
    • 5 mm

  17. A dimension is 120 mm with a tolerance of +1.5/-0.5 mm. What is the width of the tolerance band?

    • 1.0 mm
    • 1.5 mm
    • 2.0 mm
    • 3.0 mm

  18. What is the primary disadvantage of specifying tighter manufacturing tolerances?

    • Reduced product strength
    • Lower dimensional accuracy
    • Faster assembly time
    • Increased production cost

  19. What additional material is needed on a fabric pattern before cutting to allow for stitching?

    • Tolerance band
    • Seam allowance
    • Waste allowance
    • Nesting margin

  20. Two resistors of 220 ohms and 330 ohms, each with 5 per cent tolerance, are connected in series. What is the maximum total resistance?

    • 605 ohms
    • 577.5 ohms
    • 550 ohms
    • 572.5 ohms

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