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