MSCE Technical Drawing study plan

Set up and calibrate a drawing kit (T-square or parallel rule, 30-60 and 45 set squares, compass with extension bar, dividers, scale rule, HB/2H leads) and demonstrate each instrument's correct use on a labelled practice sheet

Construct perpendiculars, parallel lines, and bisection of lines and angles using compass-and-straightedge methods only, without erasing construction arcs

Divide a straight line into any number of equal parts and construct regular polygons (pentagon, hexagon, octagon) by both general and inscribed-circle methods

Draw tangent arcs and lines to circles (internal and external tangency) for three given radius cases

Produce a clean A3 'construction portfolio' of 8 solved constructions with construction lines, centre lines and final outlines in correct line weights

Construct ellipses by concentric-circle and trammel/approximate four-centre methods, and parabolas and hyperbolas by directrix-focus and rectangle methods

Draw the three principal views of 6 simple solids (prism, pyramid, cylinder, cone, sphere, and a chamfered block) in first-angle projection, applying correct view placement and hidden-line convention

Convert 3 of those first-angle layouts into third-angle layouts and annotate the symbol for each system

Apply line conventions consistently: thick continuous for outlines, thin continuous for dimension and projection lines, dashed for hidden edges, chain for centre lines

Solve 4 missing-view problems where two views are given and the third must be derived

Project 5 inclined and curved objects (e.g. a wedge, a cylinder cut at 45 degrees, a hexagonal prism lying on a face) into full orthographic sets including auxiliary views

Determine true shape of an inclined face by auxiliary projection for 3 given objects

Draw full sections, half sections and offset sections of 4 objects, selecting the correct cutting-plane position and hatching cut surfaces at 45 degrees

Apply conventions: omit hidden lines in sectioned views, hatch adjacent parts in opposite directions, show ribs and webs unhatched when cut longitudinally, and represent standard parts (bolts, shafts, pins) unsectioned

Label cutting planes A-A, B-B on the parent view and title each section view accordingly

Draw 5 objects in isometric using the 30-degree isometric axes, isometric scale, and correct isometric ellipses for circles on each of the three faces

Construct 2 cavalier and 2 cabinet oblique drawings, applying half-scale for receding depth in cabinet projection

Produce a one-point and a two-point perspective of a simple block and a small building form, using a horizon line, station point and vanishing points

Sketch 10 objects freehand in under 5 minutes each, keeping proportions by comparing lengths against a chosen unit

Letter a full A4 sheet of uppercase and lowercase technical lettering in a single-stroke Gothic style at 3, 5 and 7 mm heights with consistent slope

Apply dimensioning rules on 4 drawings: no duplicated dimensions, dimensions outside the outline, unidirectional numerals, correct arrowheads, leaders for radii and diameters, and use of the diameter and radius symbols

Add limits and fits to 6 shaft/hole pairs using ISO tolerance designations, and compute allowance and clearance for each

Interpret and apply geometric tolerances (flatness, perpendicularity, position, concentricity) with correct feature control frames and datum references

Specify surface finish using the ISO surface texture symbol, including roughness average values and machining process notes, on 3 part drawings

Produce a detailed drawing of a 3-part assembly (e.g. a bearing block or a shaft with collar and bush) with a parts list, item balloons and an assembly view in section

Draw a floor plan of a two-room dwelling to a stated scale (1:50), showing walls at correct thickness, door swings, window openings, room labels and overall and room dimensions

Produce the matching elevation and a cross-section through the building, keeping floor levels, lintels and roof pitch consistent with the plan

Detail two construction junctions: a wall-to-floor slab junction and a roof eaves detail, at scale 1:5 or 1:10, with materials hatched by convention

Apply building drawing conventions: brick and concrete hatching, level symbols, grid lines, section markers and north point

Annotate a schedule of doors and windows consistent with the plan

Draw standard engineering components from specification alone: a hexagonal-head bolt with thread conventions, a nut, a plain and a keyed shaft, a compression spring and a rolling bearing

Apply thread representation rules (schematic and simplified) and show a screwed fastening in section with correct hatching of the two parts

Produce a set of working drawings for a 4-part assembly with exploded isometric view and item numbers

In CAD, set up a drawing template with layers for outlines, hidden lines, centre lines, dimensions and hatching, plus a title block

Recreate one orthographic drawing and one assembly in CAD, apply dimensions and print to a correctly scaled PDF

Complete two full timed mock papers (3 hours each) under exam conditions, covering orthographic, sectional, pictorial and dimensioning questions

Mark each mock against the mark allocation, log every lost mark by domain, and rework the three weakest items until correct

Redraw from memory the projection symbols, surface texture symbol, section hatching conventions and standard thread representation

Review the error log and write a one-page personal checklist of the ten mistakes most likely to cost marks

Confirm instrument kit, scale rule, set squares and spare leads are ready for exam day