Command words

Command words are the words and phrases used in exams and other assessment tasks that tell students how they should answer the question.

The following command words are taken from Ofqual’s official list of command words and their meanings that are relevant to this subject. In addition, where necessary, we have included our own command words and their meanings to complement Ofqual’s list.

Calculate

Work out the value of something.

Compare

Identify similarities and/or differences.

Complete

Finish a task by adding to given information.

Consider

Review and respond to given information.

Criticise

Assess worth against explicit expectations.

Define

Give a definition of.

Describe

Give an account of.

Discuss

Present key points about different ideas or strengths and weaknesses of an idea.

Draw

Present a possible conclusion.

Estimate

Assign an approximate value.

Evaluate

Judge from available evidence.

Explain

Set out purposes or reasons.

Explain how

Give a detailed account of a process or way of doing something.

Explain why

Give a detailed account of reasons in relation to a particular situation.

Give

Produce an answer from recall or from given information.

Identify

Name or otherwise characterise.

Interpret

Translate information into recognisable form.

Justify

Support a case with evidence.

Label

Provide appropriate names on a diagram.

Name

Identify using a recognised technical term.

Outline

Set out main characteristics.

Sketch

Roughly draw or plot.

State

Express in clear terms.

Suggest

Present a possible case/solution.

Write

Provide information in verbatim form.