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Exam commands

For Foundation level students

For Higher level students

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LD Teaching & Learning Strategies 3/4/02

Examination commands: what they are and what they mean

This is a list of examination "command" words compiled as part of the follow up from an INSET day which Ruth organised. They are for all students - not just LD.

For "Foundation level" students

These are all words that you will find in examination questions.  You will need to REMEMBER WHAT THEY MEAN if you are going to be able to write the RIGHT SORT OF ANSWER.  Every subject has its own set of words that are used to ask questions. 

Make sure that you know and understand the “question words” for each of your subjects. 

CALCULATE…Do the sum and show all your working out. 

COMPARE…   Are the things very alike (similar) or are there important differences? Explain which do you think are best. Make sure that you write down your reasons for thinking as you do.

CONTRAST… Find the differences and describe them clearly. 

CRITICIZE…   Use EVIDENCE to support your opinion on the value and importance of theories, facts or other people’s ideas or views.

DEDUCE        Use the information you are given or already know to find the answer.

DEFINE…      Give the meaning of…………..

DESCRIBE…  Write in detail about…. 

DETERMINE…Put the numbers you need into the equation and then do the sum.

DISCUSS…     Write about the important parts of this topic.  

Are there two sides to the question?  

Make sure that you write about all the points which are for the argument and all the points which are against the argument. 

DISTINGUISH  Explain the difference.

ESTIMATE…   Think of some ‘best guess’ numbers for the bits of the problem and do your sums using these ‘best guess’ numbers. 

EVALUATE… Decide why something is important or successful. 

EXPLAIN…      Make everything clear so that the reader can understand what you mean.

FIND…            Work out the answer. 

ILLUSTRATE…Write down some examples to make your ideas clear. 

INTERPRET…  Explain the meaning in your own words – for example you might be asked to INTERPRET a graph.  Here you should write down what the graph shows you. 

JUSTIFY…      Write down your reasons to support an argument or an action.

MEASURE…   Decide what sort of measurement is needed and then use this measuring scale 

(Such as length = ruler.  Macbeth’s actions = your view of his actions based on evidence from the play)

OUTLINE…     Write about the most important parts of a topic and leave out all those little details. 

PREDICT…      Using your own knowledge of what has happened before in the same sort of situations, work out what you think will happen in this situation. Make sure you write about the reasons for your answer.   

RELATE…       Write about the connection between things 

REVIEW…       Write about the topic, explaining it clearly from all points of view  

SKETCH…      Draw a simple diagram, graph or picture – and LABEL it –to show what is important. 

STATE…         Write a short answer  about the main point. 

SUGGEST…   Think about an answer that might be reasonable – you might find several ways of solving the question – write about them all. 

SUMMARIZE…Bring together and mention all the main points when you write your answer.  You don’t have to write about all the details of each point you make. 

TRACE…         Show how something has developed from its beginning to its end. 

WHAT IS MEANT BY… WHAT IS UNDERSTOOD BY… Write about what the title, statement or word means and then give some more information about it.  Look at the marks for the question for a guide to how much you need to write and how many points you need to make.  Sometimes each point you write about is worth a mark, sometimes each point you make will be worth only half a mark.

 REMEMBER some words mean slightly different things in different subjects.  Choose the most sensible meaning for your answer.

 GRH/RMN/FAC/SS