Exam Answer Guidance

Bullet point everything. 6 markers – use subtitles to structure your answer.

Using the information – do NOT quote data! Manipulation (can be a simple plus or minus), look for patterns and trends,
demonstrate reasoning.

Command Word Exam Board Guidance Answer Structure

Add/Label Requires the addition or labelling to a stimulus Label a diagram – make sure lines touch the
material given things you are labelling. No arrow heads.
in the question, for example labelling a diagram or Ensure all tables and graphs have units and full
adding titles including ‘mean’ where necessary.
units to a table.
Assess Give careful consideration to all the factors or events Subheadings
that Arguments in favour of one side
apply and identify which are the most important or Arguments in favour of the opposite
relevant. Conclusion (with a judgments of which is more
Make a judgement on the importance of something, important if possible).
and
come to a conclusion where needed.
Calculate Obtain a numerical answer, showing relevant Show all working, especially individual solutions.
working. If the answer has a unit, this must be Add units where necessary.
included. Check whether you need to give to a certain
number of sig figs / d.p’s etc.
Comment on Requires the synthesis of a number of variables from Subheadings.
data/information to form a judgement. Overall trend and changes in gradients. There will
be two variables to form a judgement on.
Impact of the trend using scientific explanations.
Use data manipulation.
Make a judgment.
Compare Looking for the similarities and differences of two (or Similarities.
more) things. Should not require the drawing of a Differences.
conclusion. Answer must relate to both (or all) things Use comparative words and keep comparisons in
mentioned in the question. The answer must include the same sentence.
at least one similarity and one difference.
Complete Requires the completion of a table/diagram. Label a diagram – make sure lines touch the
 things you are labelling.
Ensure all tables and graphs have units.
Command Word Exam Board Guidance Answer Structure

Deduce Draw/reach conclusion(s) from the information Look for trends and patterns in data and state
provided. them.
Use scientific knowledge to explain the trends.

Describe To give an account of something. Statements in the Say what you see – location, location, location!
response need to be developed as they are often Link statements to form a “story”.
linked but do not need to include a justification or No reasons why – just scientific facts.
reason. Use the data from the IV/x axis to signpost
changes in trends as necessary.
Devise Plan or invent a procedure from existing I don’t really care much actually
principles/ideas. IV, DV (with details of method if needed),
Repeats, Controlled variables (biotic and abiotic,
give VALUES) plus control sample, Method (step
by step instructions), Analysis including mean,
s.d. and stats test.
Discuss Identify the issue/situation/problem/argument that is For.
being assessed within the question. Explore all Against.
aspects of an issue/situation/problem/argument. Use manipulated data to back up your argument
Investigate the issue/situation etc by reasoning or if possible.
argument. Conclusion.
Evaluate Review information then bring it together to form a For.
conclusion, drawing on evidence including strengths, Against.
weaknesses, alternative actions, relevant data or Conclusion that doesn’t repeat itself.
information. Come to a supported judgement of a E.G. overall I agree as the benefits outweigh the
subject’s qualities and relation to its context. disadvantages.
Explain An explanation requires a Use scientific explanations – reasons.
justification/exemplification of a point. The answer Must have linked statements with reasoning /
must contain some element justification.
of reasoning/justification, this can include Be logical – don’t miss out steps – always ask
mathematical explanations. “why?” when writing each statement.
Justify Give evidence to support (either the statement given Use information and explanation to support a
 in the question or an earlier answer) statement.

Lesser used command words

Command Word Exam Board Guidance Answer Structure

Determine The answer must have an element which is quantitative Show all working, especially individual
from the stimulus provided, or must show how the solutions.
answer can be reached quantitatively. To gain maximum
marks there must be a quantitative element to the
answer.

Draw Produce a diagram either using a ruler or using Pencil, ruler for lines.
freehand. No shading or double lines.
Make sure lines touch the things you are
labelling.
Estimate Find an approximate value, number, or quantity from a Does not have to be the exact amount.
diagram/given data or through a calculation.

Give/State/Name All of these command words are really synonyms. They Recall of information/definition.
generally all require recall of one or more pieces of
information.
Give a When a statement has been made and the requirement Scientific explanation of the statement.
reason/reasons is only to give the reasons why.

Identify Usually requires some key information to be selected Look at the information given and identify
from a given stimulus/resource. the key information.
Measure To determine the dimensions or angle from a diagram Measure carefully and accurately, do not
using round to the nearest easy number.
an instrument such as a ruler or protractor.
Plot Produce a graph by marking points accurately on a grid Make sure both axis labelled with units.
from data that is provided and then drawing a line of Line of best fit – smooth curve or straight
best fit through these points. A suitable scale and line with ruler, no double lines.
appropriately labelled axes must be included if these are Crosses not dots.
not provided in the question. Over half the page in both directions.
Predict Give an expected result. Use the data or information to make a
prediction. You may need to extrapolate a
graph.
Be very precise when reading from graphs
– draw lines if needed.
Command Word Exam Board Guidance Answer Structure

Show that Verify the statement given in the question. If using data, show all workings.

Sketch Produce a freehand drawing. For a graph this would Pencil, ruler for lines.
need a line and labelled axis with important features No shading or double lines.
indicated, the axis are not scaled. Make sure lines touch the things you are
labelling.
Graphs need labelled axis and a line, but
do not need scales and accurate plotting.

State what is When the meaning of a term is expected but there are Define in that context.
meant by different ways of how these can be described.

Write When the questions ask for an equation. Write an equation