You know the content. You studied hard. But you lose marks because you described when you should have explained. Sound familiar? Command terms are the secret language of IB exams—and mastering them can boost your score by 10-15%.
Why command terms matter
IB examiners use specific verbs to signal exactly what type of response they want. Ignore this at your peril—writing a beautiful explanation when asked to "state" wastes time and shows you don't understand the question.
1-2 Mark Terms (Low demand)
- List: Give a sequence of names or items, no explanation needed
- State: Give a specific answer without explanation
- Identify: Name or point out a specific thing
- Define: Give the precise meaning of a term
- Label: Add names to a diagram
Example: "State two factors affecting enzyme activity" → "Temperature and pH" (no explanation needed!)
3-4 Mark Terms (Medium demand)
- Describe: Give a detailed account of features or characteristics
- Outline: Give a brief summary of the main points
- Annotate: Add brief notes to a diagram or image
- Calculate: Work out a numerical answer, showing your steps
5+ Mark Terms (High demand)
- Explain: Give reasons WHY something happens (cause and effect)
- Analyse: Break down to identify patterns and relationships
- Evaluate: Make a judgment based on evidence (pros, cons, conclusion)
- Discuss: Present arguments from multiple perspectives
- Compare and contrast: Show similarities AND differences
- Justify: Give valid reasons to support your answer
"Describe = WHAT happens. Explain = WHY it happens. This distinction alone is worth marks."
Common command term mistakes
- Writing too much for "state" or "list" questions
- Giving descriptions when asked to explain (forgetting the WHY)
- One-sided responses to "evaluate" (need both pros AND cons)
- Not concluding in "discuss" questions
Practice tip
Before answering any exam question, circle the command term. Then ask yourself: "What type of response does this specifically require?" This 5-second habit prevents costly mistakes.
Put it into practice: See how these command terms appear in real IB ESS questions. View the IB ESS exam skills guide →