How each set is made
The part is a block on a grid of 10 to 30 mm cells with steps, slots and notches cut out, sometimes a 45 degree chamfer, and one to three drilled holes on one line. A cutting plane through the holes gives SECTION X-X. Every line, hidden edge and hatch is worked out from that solid, so the views always agree. Some dimensions are replaced by letters: each one can be found from the overall size and the other figures in its line.
The title block has the scale, material, quantity, dates and a general tolerance. Machining symbols sit on the surfaces to be machined. Answers can use a decimal comma (50,25) or point. Every question has a memo line with the working.
A worked example
In set MECH22 the part is a mild steel locating block drawn at 1 : 2, so the figures give the real sizes and the drawing is half size. Dimension A sits in the line of widths: the overall width is 110 and the other figures in that line are 15, 50, 15 and 15, so A = 110 − 95 = 15 mm. B is the overall height, so add the figures up that line: B = 20 + 15 = 35 mm. The title block tolerance is +0,02 / -0,17, so the 20 mm height may be from 19,83 to 20,02 mm. Open set MECH22
What Question 1 asks on Paper 2
The DBE examination guidelines put the mechanical analytical question first on Paper 2, at about 15% of the paper, in third-angle projection unless stated otherwise. Recent papers give 30 marks for about 20 rows: title block facts, view names, section types, missing dimensions, tolerance limits, machined surfaces, the projection system and a symbol to draw. The symbol to draw in freehand is left out of these sets, because a drawing cannot be checked here: practise it from your textbook.
Questions people ask
What is the mechanical analytical question in EGD?
It is Question 1 of NSC EGD Paper 2: a printed drawing of a part or an assembly with a title block, and a table of short questions to answer by reading it. The 2017 DBE guidelines give it about 15% of the paper; the November 2024 paper gave it 30 marks.
Is EGD Paper 2 in first-angle or third-angle projection?
Third angle. The DBE guidelines say all drawings are in first-angle projection for Paper 1 and third-angle projection for Paper 2, unless a question says otherwise. In third angle the top view is above the front view and the right view is on its right.
How do I find a missing dimension?
Find the line of dimensions it belongs to. The missing size is the overall size minus the other sizes in that line. A missing overall size is the sum of the sizes along its line.
How do I work out maximum and minimum sizes from a tolerance?
Add the plus tolerance for the maximum and take off the minus tolerance for the minimum. With a tolerance of +0,25 and −0,3, a 50 mm dimension may be from 49,7 to 50,25 mm.
Does the scale change the dimension figures?
No. Dimension figures always give the real size of the part. The scale only changes how long the lines are drawn: at 1 : 2 a 60 mm edge is drawn 30 mm long, but its figure still reads 60.
What does a machining symbol show?
A V touching a surface means that surface is machined. A bar closing the V means material must be removed. The roughness value is written above the V, and the production method, such as milling or grinding, on the line.
Sources, read October 25, 2026: DBE Engineering Graphics and Design Grade 12 Examination Guidelines (2017); DBE NSC EGD Papers 1 and 2, November 2024, and marking guidelines; DBE NSC EGD Papers 1 and 2 from the June 2024 exams, and marking guidelines; Eastern Cape Department of Education, 2024 NSC Chief Marker’s Reports for EGD Paper 1 and Paper 2. The part modeller and view drawing come from our Orthographic Practice site. The paid SANS 10111 and 10143 standards were not used: symbols here are our own drawings of the usual forms, shown in a legend or with their abbreviation. Check your textbook for the SANS forms.