Command Words

All Sciences

Command words are important when it comes to exam technique. Knowing what they mean and what a question is asking you to do is a huge part of succeeding in GCSE science exams.

See below for most common command words in AQA:

State -  short answer. Don’t waste time describing or explaining!

Describe - recall facts e.g. what does it look like? what happens? Step-by-step.

Explain - give a clear scientific reason – link it to the question.

Evaluate - use your knowledge and any information given to give pros and cons, and make a conclusion (scientific justification).

Suggest - apply your knowledge to a new situation. Give a scientific reason.

Calculate - use the numbers given to work out the  answer. Show your working, you might get marks for it! Always use the correct units.

Compare - similarities and differences (more, less, increase, decrease, whereas, however)

Complete - write your answer in the space given

Use the information - you won’t get any marks if you don’t use the information given! Use numbers from a table or graph then explain them it scientifically.

If you're stuck on a question, try underlining or highlighting the command word. If you're still unsure, then write out what the command word means or what the question is asking you to do in your own terms.

A few examples of command words in exam questions:

(b)     Complete the following sentence.

Living things can be grouped into animals, microorganisms and ..................... .

(c)     Describe what happens to the muscle when it receives an impulse from neurone Z. How does this reflex action help the body?

What happens to the muscle ........................................................................

........................................................................................................................

How this helps the body ................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

A student investigated the products formed when kerosene burned.

The diagram shows the apparatus the student used.

(DIAGRAM)

Describe and explain the observations you would expect the student to make.

.......................................................................................................................

Describe the pattern shown in Graph A. This is still step-by-step; as x happens, y starts to....

(iii)    The power of the electric heater is 50 watts.

Calculate the energy transferred to the heater from the electricity supply in 300 seconds.

Use the correct equation from the Physics Equations Sheet

Command words are everywhere! You just need to know how to identify them and know what they mean to be able to answer questions.

Which command words do you find most tricky? Comment below: