IB exams don’t just test your knowledge—they test how well you respond to specific instructions, known as command terms. These verbs determine how deeply you analyze, how critically you evaluate, and how well your structure matches IB’s rigorous criteria.
Misunderstanding command terms can cost you crucial marks. That’s why RevisionDojo has built extensive guides and resources to help students understand and respond to these terms with confidence and precision.
1. What Are Command Terms and Why Do They Matter?
Command terms are key action verbs like:
- Define
- Analyze
- Compare
- Evaluate
- Discuss
Each command signals a different expectation in how you should structure your response. As explained in How to Use IB Command Terms Effectively, these terms are directly aligned with Assessment Objectives (AOs) across all IB subjects.
2. Link Between Command Terms and IB Marking Criteria
Every IB subject uses command terms to evaluate how well your answer meets the marking rubric:
- Describe aligns with AO1: knowledge and understanding
- Analyze aligns with AO2: application and depth
- Evaluate aligns with AO3: critical thinking and judgment
You can learn more about how these AOs function in Understanding the IB Marking Criteria: What Examiners Look For.
3. Real Examples of Command Terms in Exams
Let’s break down some examples:
- In IB Economics, Evaluate the effectiveness of government subsidies expects multiple perspectives and a final judgment.
- In IB Biology, Explain the process of transcription requires detailed, step-by-step elaboration—not just listing.
RevisionDojo’s subject-specific articles, like Common Mistakes in IB History Exams and Tips for Tackling IB Global Politics Essays, show how command terms shape high-scoring responses.
4. How to Practice Command Terms Effectively
RevisionDojo encourages these techniques:
- Use flashcards to memorize definitions and expectations
- Match past paper questions with their command terms
- Rewrite sample answers to reflect the required command term level
Read more on this method in How to Use Past Papers for Effective IB Revision, which includes practice prompts categorized by command term difficulty.
5. Cross-Subject Command Term Mastery
Command terms are used consistently across IB:
- Compare in Literature Paper 2
- To what extent in TOK essays
- Discuss in Psychology and Business Management
If you want to see how this plays out in real essay scenarios, check out Structuring Your IB Paper 2 Essay and IB ToK Essay: Step-by-Step Structure.
6. Tools RevisionDojo Offers to Master Command Terms
RevisionDojo’s key tools for students include:
- Command Term Glossaries
- Interactive Prompts with AI Feedback
- Model Essay Libraries with annotations on how students respond to different command terms
You’ll find these integrated in guides like How to Analyze Non-Literary Texts in IB English and IB Math IA Command Term Integration Tips.
FAQs
Q: Can I ignore command terms if I understand the topic well?
No. Even strong content can score poorly if it doesn’t match the depth and structure required by the command term.
Q: Are command terms different in SL vs HL?
The terms themselves are the same, but HL essays expect greater depth, especially for evaluate or discuss style questions. Learn more in Understanding SL vs HL Essay Expectations.
Q: Is there a quick way to review command terms?
Yes! Use RevisionDojo’s printable glossary and flashcard templates. These are ideal for weekly review and are shared in RevisionDojo's Command Term Study Pack.
Conclusion
Command terms are the keys to unlocking IB success. Understanding what analyze, evaluate, or compare really mean—and how to apply them—can transform your writing across subjects.
With RevisionDojo’s tools—from past paper drills to glossary decks and sample essays—you can build precision, confidence, and exam excellence.
🔗 Explore further with:
