How to Use Command Terms Effectively in IB Exams

1. Level 1: Knowledge and Comprehension

These require you to show understanding of facts or concepts. Examples include:

• Define
• List
• State
• Identify

2. Level 2: Application and Analysis

These expect you to connect knowledge to a scenario or break down information. Examples include:

• Explain
• Analyze
• Compare
• Distinguish

3. Level 3: Synthesis and Evaluation

These demand higher-order thinking and critical evaluation. Examples include:

• Evaluate
• To what extent
• Justify
• Discuss

How to Answer Command Terms Effectively

1. Define

• Provide a precise meaning, often from the syllabus glossary.
• Keep it concise — one or two sentences.
• Example: “Define momentum” → Momentum is the product of mass and velocity of an object.

2. Explain

• Go beyond definitions by giving reasons, causes, or processes.
• Use linking words like “because,” “due to,” “as a result.”
• Example: “Explain why enzymes are specific to substrates.”

3. Compare

• Identify similarities and differences.
• Use structured phrases: “Both A and B…” and “However, A differs because…”

4. Discuss

• Present multiple perspectives.
• Weigh strengths and weaknesses.
• Conclude with a judgment supported by evidence.

5. Evaluate

• Judge the significance or success of something.
• Include both positive and negative points.
• Finish with a justified conclusion.

Common Mistakes Students Make

• Ignoring the command term. Writing everything you know about the topic instead of focusing on what’s asked.
• Over-answering low-level terms. Spending too much time on “define” or “list” questions that carry only a few marks.
• Undershooting higher-level terms. Giving shallow answers to “evaluate” or “discuss” questions that expect depth.
• Not structuring answers properly. For example, failing to separate similarities and differences in a “compare” question.

Tips for Mastering Command Terms

• Memorize definitions. Know exactly what each command term means.
• Highlight command terms during exams. Circle or underline them so you don’t overlook them.
• Match depth to marks. A two-mark “define” should not get the same time as a 10-mark “evaluate.”
• Reflect in revision. After practicing, check if your answer actually matched the command term.

FAQs About IB Command Terms

1. How many command terms are there in IB?
Each subject has its own set, but most overlap. Typically, students encounter 15–20 key terms across the program.

2. Do examiners give partial credit if I misunderstand a command term?
Yes, but your mark will be capped because you didn’t fulfill the full expectation of the question.

3. What’s the hardest command term?
Many students find “Evaluate” and “To what extent” challenging because they require judgment, balance, and justification.

4. Can I prepare answers for command terms?
Yes. You can practice structures — for example, using pros/cons tables for “evaluate.”

5. Are command terms the same in all IB subjects?
Mostly yes, though the emphasis differs. For example, “evaluate” in Economics may focus on policies, while in Biology it may apply to theories.

Conclusion

Mastering IB command terms is one of the smartest ways to boost your exam performance. They are the examiner’s direct instructions, and following them shows not only knowledge but also exam technique.

By learning what each command term means, practicing with questions and structuring your answers correctly, you can secure marks that students often lose simply by misunderstanding the question.

RevisionDojo Call to Action

Want to sharpen your exam skills even further? RevisionDojo helps IB students understand command terms, practice exam techniques, and maximize scores with structured strategies.

Don’t just study harder — study smarter with RevisionDojo.

Learn how IB schools use the official exam timetable internally and what it means for students during exams.