IB Command Terms by Subject: The Complete Reference Table

17th September, 2026 | Abhishek Malani | 12 Min Read
Introduction
Command terms may seem like a tiny part of IB exam papers, but they are crucial details that help examiners determine your final scores. There is an extensive list of command terms that the IB uses in assessments, but through this guide, we’ve eliminated the stress that comes with navigating all of them. Read on to understand exactly what command terms are, how they are used in exams, and how to approach them to maximise your final score.
IB command terms study guide for students

Table of Contents

What are command terms?

Command terms are specific words in exam questions that indicate how those questions should be answered. By evaluating your response to these command terms, examiners judge how well you demonstrate skills like knowledge recall, analysis, and critical thinking. These terms help indicate what the question requires, the type and depth of response expected, and what constitutes a good answer for different types of questions. If you don’t pay attention to command terms while writing your assessments, you risk losing marks very quickly.
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What are the different types of command terms?

IB command terms indicate the type and depth of response expected in an assessment question. They are associated with different assessment objectives, such as knowledge and understanding, application and analysis, and synthesis and evaluation. The command terms used and their specific assessment-objective associations can vary by subject, so students should always refer to the command terms in their current subject guide.
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Command terms, what they mean, and examples

Command Term What does it mean? Example
Define
The precise meaning of a word, phrase, or concept.
“Define the term opportunity cost.”
State
A brief answer (like a name or value), without explaining
“State one function of the cell membrane.”
List
A sequence of brief answers without any explanation
“List three factors that can influence consumer demand.”
Classify
Organise or arrange by a specific category
“Classify the following organisms according to their nutritional strategy.”
Identify
Choose an answer from several options
“Using the information provided, identify the independent variable in the experiment.”
Draw
Represent through a diagram, graph, or chart
“Draw a labelled diagram of the structure of a phospholipid.”
Label
Add labels to an already-provided diagram or graph
“Label the structures A, B and C on the diagram of the human heart.”
Describe
Give a detailed, structured answer about features, processes, etc.
“Describe one technique for studying the brain.”
Outline
Give a brief summary
“Outline two effects of inflation on households.”
Present
Clearly provide an answer for consideration
“Present a reasoned argument for introducing a congestion charge in a large city.”
Apply
Use a concept or theory and relate it to a given issue
“Apply the concept of elasticity of demand to explain the likely effect of a price increase on a cinema’s revenue.”
Design
Develop a plan or model
“Design an experiment to investigate how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis in an aquatic plant.”
Annotate
Add brief notes to a graph or diagram
“Annotate the diagram to show the movement of water through the plant from the roots to the leaves.”
Distinguish
Explain the differences between two or more concepts
“Distinguish between primary and secondary sources of historical evidence.”
Calculate
Obtain a numerical answer, showing appropriate working where required.
“Calculate the percentage change in a company’s revenue between 2025 and 2026.”
Estimate
Provide an approximate value
“Estimate the population of a particular species in the ecosystem using the sampling data provided.”
Analyse
Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.
“Analyse how a rise in interest rates could affect investment and economic growth.”
Compare
Show the similarities between two or more concepts
“Compare the ways in which two characters respond to social pressure in the texts studied.”
Contrast
Show the differences between two or more concepts
“Contrast the roles of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system in coordinating responses.”
Compare and Contrast
Show the similarities and differences between two or more concepts
“Compare and contrast the advantages of solar and wind energy for meeting a country’s electricity needs.”
Demonstrate
Use evidence, reasoning, and examples to make something clear
“Demonstrate how a change in temperature can affect the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction.”
Discuss
Provide a balanced review of a concept that considers multiple perspectives, and is supported by evidence
“Discuss whether economic growth necessarily leads to an improvement in quality of life.”
Examine
Unpack the assumptions and connections behind a concept
“Examine the factors that contributed to the rise of nationalism in a particular region.”
Evaluate
Make a judgement using strengths and limitations
“Evaluate the effectiveness of a government subsidy in encouraging households to adopt electric vehicles.”
Explain
Provide a detailed account, including causes and effects
“Explain how a mutation can lead to a change in an organism’s phenotype.”
Justify
Provide valid evidence to support an answer
“Justify the decision of a business to expand into an international market.”
Investigate
Systematically study and observe something, to establish a conclusion
“Investigate the relationship between sleep duration and reaction time using the data provided.”
Suggest
Propose a possible answer or solution
“Suggest one strategy a business could use to reduce employee turnover.”
Predict
Provide an expected result
“Predict how the rate of diffusion would change if the temperature of the solution were increased.”
To what extent
Consider the merits and demerits of a concept to draw a conclusion, supported with evidence
“To what extent did technological developments contribute to the outcome of the conflict studied?”
Comment
Make a judgement based on a provided statement or calculation
“Comment on the conclusion that increasing advertising expenditure will always increase sales.”
Deduce
Reach a conclusion based on provided evidence
“Deduce the empirical formula of the compound from the percentage composition provided.”
Derive
Use a mathematical relationship to construct a new equation
“Derive an expression for the acceleration of an object using the given equations of motion.”
Formulate
Develop or construct something systematically, such as a hypothesis, argument, equation or plan.
“Formulate a hypothesis that could be tested to investigate the relationship between exercise intensity and heart rate.”
Interpret
Use information, data or evidence to explain its meaning or draw a conclusion.
“Interpret the trend shown in the graph of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration over time.”

How to approach command terms in exams?

Start by identifying the command term, and underlining or highlighting it. Use the number of marks as a guide to the depth and breadth of your response, while prioritising relevant, well-developed points over unnecessary length. For longer questions, it helps to plan your answers by jotting down key points and creating a rough outline. Always remember to link back to your command terms in the conclusion of your answer.

Common errors with command terms

Many students struggle with distinguishing between certain command words, and, as a result, end up giving an incorrect answer. Keep an eye out for these challenging terms:
  • Describe vs Evaluate: The first requires a detailed, structured answer. The second requires judgement using strengths, limitations, and evidence.
  • Listing vs Explaining: “List” questions don’t require explanations.
  • In “Discuss” or “Compare and Contrast” questions, students often include only one side of the argument. Ensure you account for multiple perspectives to prove a well-rounded answer.
  • For longer analytical or evaluative responses, make sure your conclusion directly addresses the question and reflects the demands of the command term.
  • Keep an eye on the number of marks per question, and write accordingly. Do not write too much when questions don’t ask you too.

Subject-wise tips for navigating command terms

1. Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

  • In “Explain and “Describe” questions: use scientific terminology, and keep your answers clear and concise.
  • In “Calculate” questions: show clear working and include appropriate units, significant figures and notation where required.
  • In “Discuss” and “Evaluate” questions: use relevant scientific evidence, data or experimental results where they are provided or appropriate.

2. Individuals and Societies (Psychology, History, Geography, etc.)

  • In “Discuss” and “Evaluate” questions: Include multiple perspectives, and ensure that all your arguments are supported by valid evidence such as historical accounts and studies.

3.Maths

  • In “State” questions: give the required value or answer directly without unnecessary explanation.
  • In “Calculate” questions: show a clear mathematical process and give the final answer in the required form.
  • In “Show that” / “Hence” / “Find”: follow the mathematical instruction carefully and preserve exact values where appropriate.

4. Business Management

  • In “Analyse” and “Evaluate” questions: Apply theoretical concepts to case studies, and make references to specific ideas and scenarios.

How can Quest For Success help?

At Quest For Success, we are here to ensure you are truly successful throughout your IB journey. We provide personalized IB coaching, and work with students to develop tailor-made study plans that target all areas of concern and improvement. Our subject specialist-led online sessions ensure that you thoroughly understand all the concepts you learn, so that you remain on track to achieving high scores in your IB assessments. To know more, contact us and book your free demo call today.

Summary

Command terms are an incredibly important component of the IB assessments. It is crucial that you pay attention to the various command terms that you encounter in your exam preparation, so that you know how to answer questions properly and avoid losing marks unnecessarily. All command terms indicate specific instructions on how to answer a question. In your exam, pay close attention to these command terms, and the marks allocated to them, to provide answers accurately and efficiently.
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FAQs

Command terms are specific words in exam questions that indicate how those questions should be answered.

When writing your exams, pay close attention to the command terms and the marks allocated to them, to know how to answer the question. In longer answers, always link your conclusion back to the command term in the question.

IB command terms share common meanings across subjects, but the command terms used and their assessment-objective associations can vary by subject. Students should therefore check the command terms and assessment guidance in their current subject guide.

No, it is not mandatory to remember all the command terms. However, you should familiarize yourself with at least a few, so that you know how to approach exam questions efficiently. While doing past papers, keep an eye out for the different command terms so that you understand how they are used in the exams.

Command terms provide valuable information about how exactly a question should be answered. Misinterpreting the command terms, even when you know the correct answer, can cause you to lose marks in your exams.
If you need additional support with your IB preparation, reach out to Quest For Success today, and learn more about our expert-led IB coaching services.
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