Here at Bitesize, we've analysed some of the essentials that we think you'll need to know before heading into your exams and deduced that command words are something that we should describe to you so that you can apply them when completing your exams.
Our exam veterans outline the importance of using command words, and show how you can use them to boss your exams.
Once you've given the video a watch, we suggest you scroll on down to explore our recap on command words…
Amiga: I've got some expert exam tips to understand command words.
Daachi: Go for it.
Amy: Command words have really, really helped me.
Dylan: First tip. Know what a command word is.
Daachi Command words are the words and phrases in questions that tell us how we should answer the question. Analyse, evaluate, describe all of those sorts of words.
Amy: These command words are giving you clues and hints as to what your answer should be to the question, to get those marks that you want to get. For example, if an English paper is asking you to explain something then explain is the command word and to answer the question you have to explain the designated topic.
Amiga: Obey the command words. They're bossing you to the right answers.
Daachi Okay, next tip.
**Amiga:**Know what key command words mean. For example, identify, discuss, compare, contrast and explain.
Daachi There are lots of command words for lots of different subjects.
All: Analyse, annotate, apply, calculate. Compare and contrast. Define, describe. Evaluate. Discuss. Examine. Explain. Interpret, justify, recommend, outline, suggest.
Amy: Here are some of the most common ones.
Amiga: Compare, identify some similarities and/or differences.
Dylan: Contrast, identify differences.
Daachi Explain. Give reasons for something.
Amy: Discuss, set out both sides of an argument and come to a conclusion.
Dylan: Analyse, means to examine something in detail and break it down into parts.
Daachi Calculate is to work out the value of something.
Amiga: While you're revising, you can write down each command word and its definition on a cue card or a sticky note. Just practice them and make sure you know the definitions really well. When you're in the exam you could always write the definitionof the command words on your exam paper. Some command words will show higher levels of skill and carry higher marks. So make sure your teacher tells you which ones to focus more time on for the exams you're taking.
Dylan: My favourite command word is describe. You just say what it is. Say what you see. I hated evaluate. But being prepared for any command word that might come up is important.
Amy: You can always ask your teacher for a list of command words as they are often different for each subject and might vary depending on the exam board.
Daachi Some command words are also similar to each other and can catch you out.
Amiga: Assess and evaluate they're practically twins, right.
Amy: OK, last tip. Highlight the command word on exam papers to ensure you answer the question correctly.
Dylan: I think using highlighters nand highlighting key information is really useful. It can really help you to just consolidate the information that's important and doesn't let your mind wander.
Amy: I definitely think that. In my exams I highlighted like half the paper.
Dylan: I did a similar thing to be honest.
Amy: I think it was like really colourful because I was just like that word's helpful and that word's helpful.
Dylan: I did the same thing. I found that in my exams I highlighted specific command words that I struggled with like evaluate and after I'd finished my answer I'd go back and check that I had evaluated, and not just described.
Amy: I think that's a really good idea. During my exams I had obviously the four normal highlighter colours and I think when I went into an exam I was like I'll have this colour for how I feel towards this exam and I was like I feel like a yellow highlighter or orange highlighter and I guess it just kept it a bit interesting and then sometimes if I had a different idea or I wanted to separate them, I'd get another highlighter and start highlighting that in a different colour.
Dylan: You don't wanna get distracted in an English exam and make an art piece. Wouldn't get any marks for that.
Daachi So, know what a command word is, know what they mean and highlight the command words in exam papers.
Amy: Highlighter pens are the future. Mark my words.
What are command words?
Command words are the words and phrases in an exam question that help you understand how to answer the question to get the best possible marks. So words like analyse, compare or describe.
Know what command words are and how to use them If the question is asking you to explain something, for example, then the command word is explain – so you should explain the designated topic. When you are revising, take some time to read through your past papers and notice what the command words are and how you would answer the questions in your exam.
Know what key command words mean Some command words are common, some less so. Here's a list of some of the command words you may encounter and what they mean. If you are unsure of the meaning, how to respond to them, or whether or not they're likely to come up in your exam, then ask your teacher.
Highlight command words on your paper Using a highlighter pen to highlight the command word in the question will help keep you on track whilst you answer. Highlighting will help remind you to evaluate rather than describe, for example. So before you jump into your answer, highlight the command word and think about what you are being asked to do.
If you want some more useful exam tips and guidance, then we've got loads of amazing advice to help guide you through exam season on the pages below, what are you waiting for? Give them a tap!
If you need support
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There are more links to helpful organisations on BBC Action Line.
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