Command Terms in Past Paper Questions

Command terms exist in all questions.

All past paper questions also have a specific amount of marks allocated to them.

The combination of marks, command terms, time and space available to write guides a student into the correct detail in which to answer a question.

Examiners report a common error being students writing in too much detail for an "explain" question and insufficient detail for an "evaluate" question.

Train your students as to how much, and in what detail to write, for an exam-style or past paper question by:

1) Sharing a past paper question.

2) Having them identify the command term.

3) Having them predict how many marks are available.

4) Having them suggest how much they should write.

5) Deciding how much time would be available to do this in exam conditions.

5) THEN actually completing the question. This can be done in pairs or groups.

This is a great exit activity to test for understanding whilst reinforcing learning and preparing for assessments.

Each DP Subject guide lists the command terms and the expectations of these words. Do your students have easy access to this information?