7/28/2019 How to Pass ABE Exams - Understanding Command Words

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How to pass ABE exams understanding command words

ABEs examination reports have often shown that for many students good examination

technique can make the difference between a pass and a fail. Recognising the skillsthat the examiner is asking you to show, and correctly interpreting what the questionrequires of you, are fundamental parts of writing high-scoring answers. This guide tocommand words (the trigger words used by examiners to make clear to students thetype of answer required) aims to help students provide higher-scoring examinationanswers, by explaining the meaning and requirements of command words. So in theexamination take time to read the question carefully, paying special attention to thecommand word (s) and ask yourself What does the examiner want me to do?.

Command Words

Command words such as outline and explain are trigger words used by examiners tomake clear to candidates the type of answer they require. Many candidatesunderestimate the importance of correctly interpreting what an examination questionrequires of them, and lose marks unnecessarily. Before you answer any question youmust identify the command word used, and think carefully about how you can fulfil thetask required.

Highlight/underline the key words of each question before you begin your answer, andgive yourself time to organise your thoughts. For essay-type questions write a quick,concise plan. Take some time to think about exactly what each command word requires

you to do, and use this, and the mark allocation, to help you determine how much timeto spend on each question.

Command words test skills at different levels, and some are more demanding thanothers, so you should make sure that you set aside enough time to answer questionswith command words that test more complex skills. Typically command words will testone or more of three key skills: knowledge and understanding, application, andanalysis/evaluation.

Knowledge (primary level)This area tests your ability to recall and demonstrate an understanding of the key

facts/theories/ideas outlined in the syllabus and learning outcomes of your chosensubject. Typical command words for this skill include identify, list, outline anddescribe; these often require you to remember key information and show that you haveassimilated and understood it.

Application (secondary, more complex level)This area tests your understanding of key concepts by asking you to apply them indifferent contexts. Examples of command words which test this skill include Show how,Illustrate, Compare and contrast and Apply (as in apply theory to practice). Most ofthem require the use of examples. At this level you are expected to explain and exploreyour ideas in more detail, and apply them to new and real-life situations.

Analysis/Evaluation (tertiary, more demanding level)This area requires a highly detailed discussion of a complex concept or issue.Candidates are often asked to weigh up different aspects of a given topic and evaluate

7/28/2019 How to Pass ABE Exams - Understanding Command Words

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their relative significance, or construct an argument to prove that one possible option ispreferable to another. Typical command words at this level include Analyse, Evaluate,Critically evaluate and Critically assess.

When you are revising, make practising the skills at all levels a priority. At the higherlevels, instead of learning facts by heart, practise applying what you have learnt to newcircumstances. Keep up-to-date with current affairs, and look for topical examples in thenews and media.

Most importantly, during the examination always read the question carefully,respond to the command word used, and plan your answer. Keep the marksallocated to each subsection in mind when deciding how much time to spend oneach question.

Example command words for specific skill sets:

1. Knowledge / Remembering

Define: To state the meaning of, to describe the nature of.Identify / State / List / Name: To express in a few words, to enumerate, usually nodescription or explanation is required.Outline: To briefly describe the principal features or different parts of.Describe: To give a representation of in words, more detail is needed here than forOutline.

2. Comprehension / Understanding

Explain: To give a clear and detailed account of, to provide an understanding of, to givereasons or causes for.Discuss: To examine/consider, to produce an argument, to present in detail.Summarise: To concisely express the key features of.Compare and contrast: To highlight the similarities (compare) and differences(contrast) between two things, to examine the relative properties of two things.

3. Application

Illustrate: To clarify your answer by giving examples.Using examples...: To apply theory to specific examples relevant to the questionscontext.

Justify: To prove or show to be sound, to provide evidence for something in order tosupport ones argument.Compare and contrast: To highlight the similarities (compare) and differences(contrast) between two things, to examine the relative properties of two things.Apply: To take an established theory/principle etc and employ it in particular events or

scenarios.

4. Analysis / Evaluation / Synthesising / Creating

Examine: To inspect in detail, to investigate the nature of.Analyse: To examine in detail, to explore the meaning and essential features of, todivide into component parts.Defend: To support in the face of criticism by use of an argument.Evaluate: To judge / assess the value/importance/nature of.Critically appraise / assess: To provide an evaluation of the key features ofsomething, showing an appreciation of the subtleties involved in the issue.

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5. Other skillsCalculate: To solve / determine by use of mathematical processes.

Determine: To establish, to fix, to find the solution to.Produce: To create, to present.

Students should note that each command word is not necessarily restricted tothe skill set under which it appears.