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.
Analyse
Separate information into components and identify their characteristics
Annotate
Add notation or labelling to a graph, diagram or other drawing
Apply
Put into effect in a recognised way
Argue
Present a reasoned case
Assess
Make an informed judgement
Calculate
Work out the value of something
Comment
Present an informed opinion
Compare
Identify similarities and/ or differences
Complete
Finish a task by adding to given information
Consider
Review and respond to given information
Construct
NA
Contrast
Identify differences
Criticise
Access worth against explicit expectations
Debate
Present different perspectives on an issue
Deduce
Draw conclusions from information provided
Define
Specify meaning
Describe
Give an account of
Design
Set out how something will be done
Determine
Use given data or information to obtain an answer
Develop
Take forward or build upon given information
Discuss
Present key points
Distinguish
List the differences between different items
Draw
Produce a diagram
Estimate
Assign an approximate value
Evaluate
Judge from available evidence
Explain
Give reasons
Explore
Investigate without preconceptions about the outcome
Give
Produce an answer from recall or from given information
Identify
Name or otherwise characterise
Justify
Support a case with evidence
Label
Provide appropriate names on a diagram
List
List a number of features or points without further elaboration
Name
Identify using a recognised technical term
Outline
Set out main characteristics
Predict
Give a plausible outcome
Relate
Give a technical term or its equivalent
Show
Provide structured evidence to reach a conclusion
Sketch
Draw approximately
State
Express in clear terms
Suggest
Present a possible case