Command words that cost marks

A lot of marks are lost not because a student doesn't know the content, but because they answered a slightly different question from the one on the paper. The command word, the verb that tells you what to do, is where that usually goes wrong.

Describe vs explain

Describe means say what happens or what something is like. Explain means say why or how it happens. If a Science question asks you to explain a trend in a graph, describing the shape of the line on its own won't get the marks. You need the reason behind it, often linked with words like because or so.

Evaluate, assess and to what extent

These want a judgement. Give points on more than one side, weigh them up, and finish with a clear conclusion that answers the question. In English Literature and A-level essays, a strong answer commits to a view and supports it rather than sitting on the fence.

Compare

Compare means similarities and differences, side by side. Writing one paragraph about each thing separately rarely scores well. Use linking phrases such as whereas, similarly and in contrast in the same sentence.

Calculate, show that and determine

In Maths and Physics, show that gives you the answer, so the marks are all in the working. Write every step clearly, including units. Calculate and determine still reward working, so a wrong final answer with correct method can pick up most of the marks.

Use the marks as a guide

The number of marks tells you how much to write. A 2-mark explain question usually needs one point developed with a reason. A 6-mark question needs several linked points. Check your exam board's own list of command words, since each board publishes one.

Practise this with support

Spotting command words gets much easier with feedback on real answers. If you'd like help reading questions and structuring answers for GCSE or A-level, book a free 10-minute call and we'll look at where marks are slipping.