In IB subjects across Group 1 (English), Group 3, Group 4, and more, command terms (e.g., analyse, evaluate, compare) are the foundation of precise, exam-focused responses. They tell you how to answer, not just what to answer. Misunderstanding them can cost you hard-earned marks—even if your knowledge is strong.
1. What Are Command Terms and Why Do They Matter? 💬
Command terms are the verbs or instructions in exam questions that specify how you should respond—for example, describe, contrast, interpret, or discuss. Each carries specific expectations. For instance:
- Analyse asks you to break something down into components and discuss relationships.
- Compare requires addressing similarities and differences.
- Evaluate demands a balanced judgment weighing strengths and limitations.
These distinctions matter greatly. Answering an analyse question as though it's merely describe can prevent you from accessing top-level marks (AO3). RevisionDojo’s beginner-friendly walkthrough explains how command terms determine your task focus and depth.
🔗 How to Use IB Command Terms Effectively in Exam Responses — RevisionDojo
2. Aligning Responses with IB Assessment Objectives
Command terms are tied to Assessment Objectives (AO):
- AO1 includes knowledge-based terms like define or describe.
- AO2 covers application and analysis terms like explain or distinguish.
- AO3 (the most heavily weighted) uses higher-level terms like compare, discuss, evaluate or to what extent.
Achieving full marks requires not only correct content—but also correct structure. RevisionDojo’s article explains how each command term aligns with cognitive demand levels defined in the IB mark scheme.
🔗 Command Term Guide by RevisionDojo
3. How Command Terms Affect Exam Strategy and Time Use
Knowing the command term upfront helps you:
- Save time by avoiding unnecessary detail for low-demand tasks.
- Focus on depth vs breadth—addressing depth in analyse or evaluate, and clarity in describe or identify.
- Punch through answers efficiently, especially when time is limited.
RevisionDojo recommends practicing exam-style questions with awareness of command terms, paired with mark scheme reference to match expectations precisely.
4. Command Terms in IB English and Beyond
In IB English, essay questions rely entirely on command terms:
- Paper 1 unseen-text: analyse, compare, discuss.
- Paper 2 comparative essay: prompts like compare and contrast, explore, to what extent.
Misinterpreting even a single command term can misdirect your entire essay.
Across other subjects—Economics, Biology, Physics, Geography—the same principle holds: command terms shape how your answer is evaluated and whether it aligns with examiner expectations.
RevisionDojo’s subject-led examples show how command terms change response structure across disciplines.
🔗 How to Use IB Command Terms Effectively in Exam Responses
5. Mastering Command Terms Using RevisionDojo Tools
RevisionDojo advises:
- Create a command term glossary with definitions and examples of matching responses.
- Regularly review past exam questions to practice identifying command terms and crafting targeted answers.
- Use peer review or self-checks aligned with IB mark schemes to ensure responses meet command requirements.
Their guided charts and targeted practice prompts help students connect command terms to actual answer expectations.
FAQs
Q: Is knowing command terms really worth the effort?
Absolutely. Even accurate content can lose points if it doesn't answer the command term correctly—especially at AO3 level (evaluate, discuss, compare).
Q: Should I tailor my response format based on the command term?
Yes. A response to describe should be factual and focused, while evaluate must balance evidence and judgment.
Q: How can I practice command terms effectively?
Use RevisionDojo past-paper prompts, build flashcards, and review mark schemes side-by-side. Practice under timed conditions and check whether your response matches the expected depth for the command term.
Conclusion
Understanding command terms is essential for crafting responses that exactly match IB exam requirements. They’re not just stylistic cues—they determine the structure, content depth, and cognitive level of your answer.
By mastering command terms using RevisionDojo’s structured glossaries, practice prompts, and examiner-aligned advice, you can elevate your answers from merely correct to stylized and strategic.
🔗 Dive into How to Use IB Command Terms Effectively in Exam Responses for guided practice and sample answers tailored to IB-style assessments.
