Command words; they’re important!
- Dave Scott
- May 5
- 2 min read
Updated: May 6
When it comes to exam time it’s pretty obvious that you need to know your stuff!
Dates, ideas, models, equations, will be important in different subjects to different degrees but what is just as important is understanding the type of question that the examiner is asking.
The way you answer the question will be determined by the command word used in the question (there may sometimes be more than one eg: describe and explain). So, what do we mean by command words and how will they guide us towards providing the answer required?
Let’s look at 13 examples and their meanings:
Analyse: Break down information into parts to understand it better. Show the examiner you understand what has been presented.
Calculate: Work out the answer using given data. Make sure that you show your working and if the questions asks you to give an answer to a particular number of significant figures or decimal places make sure that you know the difference and answer the question as asked. It will be worth a mark!
Compare: Identify similarities and/or differences. Make sure to identify both.
Contrast: Highlight differences between two or more things. A bit like compare but emphasising the differences. Do not spend time making a judgement in this time of question. If this type of answer is required the command word evaluate will be used.
Define: Provide the precise meaning of a term or concept. Learn the textbook definition. It will also usually be defined in the subject specification.
Describe: Give a detailed account of something. Do not start explaining things for this command word. You will run out of space!
Discuss: Explore different aspects of a topic and provide a balanced argument. You are more likely to find this command word in the humanities subjects. It is important not to focus on just one point to the exclusion of others.
Evaluate: Judge the value or significance of something. You can come to a conclusion based on your evaluation but make sure that you consider both sides of the issue.
Explain: Clarify how or why something happens. The “why questions” asks you to show that you understand the underlying principles. In chemistry for example, it usually refers to talking about the particles involved in the reaction.
Identify: Point out or name specific elements. This might mean interpreting something eg: Identify the non- metal element from the list given.
Justify: Provide evidence or reasons to support an argument. Why would you make one choice rather than another and on what evidence?
State: Express something clearly and concisely. Do not use the words in the question. Try and find other words to make the statement clearer.
Suggest: Offer ideas or solutions based on knowledge. This is an opportunity to show your wider understanding of the question. Use your common sense!
This is just the start of your revision journey.
Good luck!
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