How To Master IB Command Terms In Exams

You’ve revised for hours. You know your content inside out. But when the exam starts, one word throws you off - “evaluate.” Or “compare.” Or “analyse.” Suddenly, all that preparation feels useless because you’re not sure what the question actually wants.

This is where many students lose marks - not from lack of knowledge, but from misunderstanding the IB command terms. These key words aren’t just used for effect; they’re the examiner’s instructions, telling you exactly how to shape your answer. Ignore or misread them, and even the best answer can miss the mark.

Mastering command terms for your IB means decoding the question instantly, structuring your response with precision, and writing what the examiner wants to see. Follow this guide and we’ll show you how to do exactly that.

Key Takeaways

• Command terms are instructions, not suggestions. They tell you exactly how to answer the question.

• Different command terms demand different cognitive levels. "Define" is not the same as "discuss.”

• Misinterpreting a command term can lose you serious marks, even if you know the content.

• You can improve with practice. Use past papers, flashcards, and mark schemes to train yourself to spot and respond to command terms correctly.

What Are IB Command Terms?

Command terms are specific words used in IB exam questions to tell you what kind of answer is expected. They appear at the start of nearly every question. They are words like "define," "explain," "analyse," or "evaluate."

The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) publishes an official list of command terms (opens in a new tab), and they're used across all subjects. This means examiners mark your answer based on whether you've followed the instruction the command term gives you.

For example: If a question asks you to "describe" the process of photosynthesis, listing facts isn’t enough. You need to provide a detailed step-by-step account of the process.

Understanding the difference is essential. Because even if your knowledge is perfect, answering the wrong way means you won't hit the mark scheme.

Why IB Command Terms Are So Important

Command terms are directly linked to assessment objectives. These are the skills the IB wants you to demonstrate, like:

• Knowledge recall

• Analysis

• Critical thinking

• Evaluation

• Application

Examiners use command terms to decide how many marks a question is worth and what kind of answer deserves full credit. If you ignore the command term, you're essentially answering a different question.

Let's say a question asks you to "compare" two economic policies. If you only describe one policy in detail, you might demonstrate excellent knowledge, but you won't earn many marks because you didn't compare.

Getting command terms wrong is one of the most common reasons students lose marks in IB exams. It's not that they don't know the content. It's that they didn't show it in the way the examiner needed to see it.

Understanding the Levels of IB Command Terms

Not all command terms are worth the same marks. Some require simple recall, while others demand deep critical thinking.

The IB groups command terms by complexity, ranging from basic knowledge to advanced evaluation. Learning to recognise these levels helps you respond appropriately and avoid over-complicating (or under-developing) your answers.

Factual Command Terms (e.g. Define, List, Identify)

These are the simplest command terms. They ask you to recall facts, provide definitions, or give straightforward information.

Examples include:

• Define: Give the precise meaning of a term.

• List: Write down a series of items without explanation.

• Identify: Name or recognise something specific.

• State: Express something briefly without justification.

These questions are usually worth 1–2 marks. Your answer should be short, clear, and factual.

Example question: "Define the term 'rate of reaction.'"

Good answer: "The rate of reaction is the speed at which reactants are converted into products in a chemical reaction."

There’s no need for extra detail. Just give the definition and move on.

Analytical Command Terms (e.g. Explain, Analyse, Compare)

This is where things get a bit more complex. Analytical command terms ask you to show understanding by breaking down information, linking ideas, or identifying relationships.

Examples include:

• Explain: Show how or why something happens, often using cause and effect.

• Analyse: Break something down into parts and examine relationships.

• Compare: Identify similarities and differences between two or more things.

• Distinguish: Highlight the differences between concepts.

These questions are usually worth 3–6 marks. You need to go beyond stating facts—you must show reasoning and connections.

Example question (Biology): "Explain how enzymes speed up chemical reactions."

Good answer: "Enzymes are biological catalysts that lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur. They provide an active site where substrates bind, forming an enzyme-substrate complex. This allows the reaction to proceed more quickly without the enzyme being consumed in the process."

Notice how the answer doesn't just describe what enzymes are. It explains how they work.

Use our bank of IB Biology past papers to get to grips with command terms.

Evaluative Command Terms (e.g. Discuss, Evaluate, To What Extent)

These are the highest-level command terms. They require you to make a judgement, weigh up evidence, and construct a balanced argument.

Examples include:

• Discuss: Present multiple perspectives and reach a conclusion.

• Evaluate: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of something, then make a judgement.

• To what extent: Consider how far a statement is true, weighing evidence on both sides.

• Justify: Provide reasons to support a decision or conclusion.

These questions can be worth 8–20 marks, depending on the subject and paper. Your answer must be structured, balanced, and supported with evidence.

Example question (History): "To what extent was nationalism the main cause of World War I?"

Approach:

• Introduction: Define nationalism and outline other causes (militarism, alliances, imperialism).

• Argument 1: Explain how nationalism contributed to tensions in Europe.

• Argument 2: Discuss other significant causes and their impact.

• Conclusion: Make a judgement. Was nationalism the main cause, or was it one of several interconnected factors?

For evaluative questions, structure is everything. Use clear paragraphs, link your points, and always back up your judgements with evidence.

Common Mistakes With Command Terms

Even strong students make these errors. Here are the most frequent ones:

How To Approach IB Command Terms in the Exam

Here's a simple strategy you can use every time you see a new question:

1. Identify the command term: Underline or highlight it. This is your instruction.

2. Check the mark allocation: A 2-mark question needs a different answer to a 10-mark question. 

3. Understand the topic: What specific concept, event, or process is the question asking about? 

4. Plan your structure: For longer questions, jot down a quick plan. What points will you make? How will you organise them?

5. Link back to the command term in your conclusion: Especially for evaluative questions, make sure your final sentence directly answers what was asked. 

This 5-step method keeps you focused and ensures you're always answering the question.

Sample IB Questions Using Command Terms

Let's look at how the IB command term shows you how to answer an exam question. Here are two subject-specific examples.

Economics

Question: Explain two factors that can cause inflation in an economy. (10 marks)

Answer: “One factor that can cause inflation is demand-pull inflation.

This occurs when aggregate demand (AD) in an economy increases faster than aggregate supply (AS). For example, if consumer confidence rises or government spending increases, households and firms spend more. When total demand exceeds the economy’s productive capacity, firms respond by raising prices rather than output, leading to upward pressure on the general price level.

A second factor is cost-push inflation.

This happens when production costs for firms increase, causing them to raise prices to maintain profit margins. For instance, higher wages, increases in the price of raw materials such as oil, or a depreciation of the exchange rate (which makes imports more expensive) can all increase firms’ costs. These higher costs are then passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices, leading to inflation.”

What makes this a good answer: This answer goes into plenty of detail for the marks awarded. It explains both factors equally.

For more practice, couple our IB Economics Revision Guide with our IB Economics past papers and use real exam questions in your revision.

Chemistry

Question: State the formula of the compound that boron forms with chlorine. (1 mark)

Answer: “BCl₃”

What makes this a good answer: “State” requires a simple fact with no extra detail for 1 mark to be awarded.

Explore our IB Chemistry Exam Guide and test yourself with IB Chemistry past papers for more real-life practice.

Subject-Specific Advice For Command Terms

Command terms work slightly differently depending on the subject you're studying. Here's what to watch out for.

IB Sciences (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Biology, Chemistry, and Physics exams love precision. 

• When you see "explain" or "describe," be clear and concise. 

  • Use scientific terminology correctly and avoid waffle.

• For "calculate" questions, always show your working. 

  • Even if your final answer is wrong, you can still earn method marks.

• In longer "discuss" or "evaluate" questions, support your points with:

  • Data, equations, or diagrams where appropriate.

IB Humanities (e.g. Psychology, Geography, History)

Humanities subjects, like Geography, place a heavy emphasis on structure and argument. 

• For "discuss" and "evaluate" questions, balance is key.

  • Don't just present one side and ignore the other. 

  • Show that you've considered multiple perspectives, then make a clear judgement.

  • Always back up your points with specific examples, studies, or historical evidence.

IB Maths and Business Subjects

In Maths, there are many questions that allocate fewer marks.

• "State" and "calculate" are common IB command terms. 

  • Show all your working, even for straightforward questions. 

In Business, application of your knowledge is important.

• "Analyse" and "evaluate" questions often require you to apply theory to a specific case study. 

  • Make sure you reference the scenario in your answer - don't just write generic theory.

For both subjects, definitions must be precise.

How To Practise IB Command Terms Effectively

Like any exam skill, mastering command terms takes practice. Here are some proven methods:

Create flashcards for each command term

Write the term on one side and its definition (plus what kind of answer it requires) on the other. Then head over to our ready-made flashcards and practice answering factual command term (“list,” “state”) questions as part of your revision

Rewrite past paper questions with different command terms

Take a question that says "describe" and rewrite it as "evaluate." Then answer both versions. 

Practise under timed conditions

Set a timer and answer past paper questions. This helps you learn how much time to spend on each command term based on the marks available.

The more you practise, the more automatic it becomes. Eventually, you'll spot a command term and instantly know how to structure your answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I misinterpret a command term?

You'll likely lose marks, even if your knowledge is strong. Examiners mark based on whether you've followed the instruction given by the command term. If the question asks you to "analyse" and you only "summarise," you won't meet the criteria for higher mark bands.

You can usually still earn some marks for relevant knowledge. But to score well, you must answer the question as it's written.

Are IB command terms the same in every subject?

Yes. The IB uses a standardised list of command terms across all subjects. However, how they're applied can vary slightly depending on the discipline.

For example, "analyse" in Chemistry might involve breaking down a reaction mechanism, while "analyse" in History could mean examining causes and consequences of an event. The core meaning stays the same, but the context changes. That's why practising command terms in your specific subject is so important.

Do I need to memorise all the IB command terms?

You don't need to memorise every single one, but you should be familiar with the most common ones in your subjects. Focus on understanding the difference between factual, analytical, and evaluative terms. Once you grasp those categories, individual terms become much easier to recognise.

Time To Master Command Terms

IB command terms aren't there to trick you. They're instructions designed to help you show what you know in the right way. Think of them as signposts in the exam. They guide you towards the kind of answer the examiner wants to see.

Every time you tackle a past paper question, you're training yourself to decode command terms faster and more accurately. So, don't just revise the content. Revise how to use it. Then you can truly master command terms and walk into your IB exams with confidence.

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References

IBO - Assessing for Understanding Across the IB Continuum (opens in a new tab)