Command Words — What the Examiner Expects

Every exam question contains a command word that tells you exactly what the examiner expects. Misinterpreting the command word is one of the most common reasons students lose marks. This lesson covers every command word used in the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy specification (8464) and explains what each one requires.

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Why Command Words Matter

• The command word determines the depth and style of your answer.
• A 2-mark "describe" question needs a different response from a 2-mark "explain" question.
• Learning command words is one of the fastest ways to pick up marks you would otherwise lose.

Exam Tip: Before writing anything, underline or highlight the command word in the question. This forces you to check what is actually being asked.

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AQA Command Word Table