Command Words - A-Levels Physics
The following table lists the command words used in the external assessments.
Command Words and Definitions
| Command word | Definition |
|---|---|
| Add/Label | Requires the addition or labelling to a stimulus material given in the question, for example labelling a diagram or adding units to a table. |
| Assess | Give careful consideration to all the factors or events that apply and identify which are the most important or relevant. Make a judgement on the importance of something, and come to a conclusion where needed. |
| Calculate | Obtain a numerical answer, showing relevant working. If the answer has a unit, this must be included. |
| Comment on | Requires the synthesis of a number of variables from data/information to form a judgement. |
| Compare and contrast | Looking for the similarities and differences of two (or more) things. Should not require the drawing of a conclusion. Answer must relate to both (or all) things mentioned in the question. The answer must include at least one similarity and one difference. |
| Complete | Requires the completion of a table/diagram. |
| Criticise | Inspect a set of data, an experimental plan or a scientific statement and consider the elements. Look at the merits and/or faults of the information presented and back judgements made. |
| Deduce | Draw/reach conclusion(s) from the information provided. |
| Derive | Combine two or more equations or principles to develop a new equation. |
| Describe | To give an account of something. Statements in the response need to be developed as they are often linked but do not need to include a justification or reason. |
| Determine | The answer must have an element which is quantitative from the stimulus provided, or must show how the answer can be reached quantitatively. |
| Devise | Plan or invent a procedure from existing principles/ideas. |
| Discuss | • Identify the issue/situation/problem/argument that is being assessed within the question. • Explore all aspects of an issue/situation/problem/argument. • Investigate the issue/situation etc by reasoning or argument. |
| Draw | Produce a diagram either using a ruler or using freehand. |
| Evaluate | Review information then bring it together to form a conclusion, drawing on evidence including strengths, weaknesses, alternative actions, relevant data or information. Come to a supported judgement of a subject's qualities and relation to its context. |
| Explain | An explanation requires a justification/exemplification of a point. The answer must contain some element of reasoning/justification, this can include mathematical explanations. |
| Give/state/name | All of these command words are really synonyms. They generally all require recall of one or more pieces of information. |
| Give a reason/reasons | When a statement has been made and the requirement is only to give the reasons why. |
| Identify | Usually requires some key information to be selected from a given stimulus/resource. |
| Justify | Give evidence to support (either the statement given in the question or an earlier answer). |
| Plot | Produce a graph by marking points accurately on a grid from data that is provided and then drawing a line of best fit through these points. A suitable scale and appropriately labelled axes must be included if these are not provided in the question. |
| Predict | Give an expected result. |
| Show that | Prove that a numerical figure is as stated in the question. The answer must be to at least 1 more significant figure than the numerical figure in the question. |
| Sketch | Produce a freehand drawing. For a graph, this would require a line and labelled axis with important features indicated, the axes are not scaled. |
| State what is meant by | When the meaning of a term is expected but there are different ways of how these can be described. |
| Write | When the questions ask for an equation. |