This page contains all of the official IB command terms used in the international baccalaureate exams. Whilst they are officially IB biology command terms, IB chemistry command terms and IB physics command terms, they are mostly used in the IB biology exams.
Pay particular attention to the use of the command terms in the longer answer questions in your exam!
IB Command terms are used in exam questions to indicate the way in which an answer should be phrased to score maximum marks.
Analyse
Provide an in-depth breakdown
Annotate
Label a diagram or graph with brief explanations
Apply
Using given knowledge, solve the problem at hand
Calculate
Reach a numerical answer with 3 significant figures
Classify
Order by category
Comment
Give a judgment on an answer
Compare
Write down the same number of points of similarity as there are marks
Compare and Contrast
Write down the same number of points of similarity and difference (half-and-half) as there are marks
Contrast
Write down the same number of points of difference as there are marks
Construct
Give a diagram or representation
Deduce
Provide a conclusion from the information given with approximately as many sentences as marks
Define
Write down the exact meaning (usually worth one mark)
Demonstrate
Show an answer with evidence, examples, or reasons
Derive
Algebraically manipulate known equations into the required one
Describe
Give a detailed explanation with approximately as many sentences as marks
Design
Produce a plan, simulation, or model
Determine
Reach the only possible answer
Discuss
Provide pro and con arguments to an issue with evidence
Distinguish
Write down the same number of points of difference as there are marks
Draw
Provide an accurate and labelled diagram or graph with pencil
Estimate
Give an approximate answer
Evaluate
Provide an unbiased judgement of a problem’s strengths and weaknesses
Examine
Give a detailed summary of the causes and reasons of a problem
Explain
Present a detailed argument
Explore
Write down your best guess using the given information
Formulate
Give a precise and organized explanation of a concept
Identify
Recognize the correct answer
Interpret
Use previous knowledge to analyse a problem
Justify
Provide evidence or reasons to support an answer
Label
Name the specified parts of the diagram
List
Bullet point a series of answers
Measure
Obtain the value of the specified quantity
Outline
Give a clear summary
Predict
Write down an educated guess
Show
Present the answer in step-by-step calculation
Sketch
Provide an approximate diagram
State
Give an answer without explanation or calculation (usually the answer is in the question and worth 1 mark)
Suggest
Provide as many possible solutions as marks
That's It
Those are all of the current IB command terms for the exams. If any more are added, we will list them on this page. If you think we have missed one, let us know.
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