Let’s be honest: sitting down to study Curriculum Design and Development can feel like trying to map out a labyrinth while blindfolded. Between Tyler’s Model, Wheeler’s Cycle, and the nuances of formative versus summative evaluation, the theory is dense.
Below is the exam paper download link
past paper on Curriculum Design And Development For Revision
Above is the exam paper download link
Looking at previous exams isn’t just about testing what you know; it’s about decoding the examiner’s mind. Below, we’ve tackled some of the most recurring themes in this unit to kickstart your brain.
[Download the Full Curriculum Design & Development Past Paper PDF Here]
Q1: Why does the “Situation Analysis” phase often make or break a new curriculum?
Think of a curriculum as a high-tech seed. No matter how genetically perfect that seed is, it won’t grow if you plant it in a desert without water. Situation Analysis is the process of checking the soil.
In exam terms, this involves identifying the needs of the learners, the expectations of the community, and the available resources. If a developer skips this, they risk creating a “ivory tower” curriculum—something that looks beautiful on paper but is impossible to implement in a real-world classroom with 50 students and limited textbooks.
Q2: What is the fundamental difference between the Tyler Rationale and the Wheeler Model?
This is a classic “comparison” question that pops up in almost every sitting.
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The Tyler Rationale is often seen as linear. It’s a straight line: Objectives $\rightarrow$ Experiences $\rightarrow$ Organization $\rightarrow$ Evaluation. It’s logical and goal-oriented.
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The Wheeler Model, however, turned that line into a circle. Wheeler argued that curriculum development is a continuous cycle. Evaluation isn’t the “end”—it’s the feedback loop that brings you right back to refining your objectives.
Q3: How do “Hidden Curricula” influence student outcomes?
The Hidden Curriculum consists of the unofficial, unwritten lessons students learn in school. While the formal curriculum teaches math or history, the hidden curriculum teaches social hierarchies, punctuality, and even gender roles through the school’s culture and teacher attitudes. In your revision, remember that examiners love to ask how these “unseen” lessons can either support or undermine official educational goals.
Q4: Why is “Scope and Sequence” the backbone of content organization?
If you’re asked to define these, think of Scope as the breadth (how much ground are we covering?) and Sequence as the order (what comes first?).
You wouldn’t teach a child to write a dissertation before they can spell their name. Effective sequencing ensures that learning is “scaffolded”—building complexity over time so the learner doesn’t collapse under the weight of new information.
3 Tips to Smash Your Curriculum Exams
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Memorize the Models, but Practice the Application: Don’t just list Taba’s steps; be ready to explain how a teacher would use them in a rural primary school versus a technical university.
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Watch the Action Verbs: If the paper says “Critique,” don’t just “Define.” Look for the flaws and the strengths.
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Time Your Mock Runs: Use the link above to download the paper, set a timer for 3 hours, and put your phone in another room. The “exam sting” is real, and the only way to numb it is through repetition.
Ready to get started?
The path to an ‘A’ starts with seeing what came before. [Click here to download your Curriculum Design and Development Past Papers] and start your focused revision session today.
