DETERMINING COGNITIVE LEVEL

of Objectives, Instructional Activities, or Test Items

Level Associated Activities Associated Verbs

knowledge Recalls common terms and specific facts. Define, describe, identify,
Can write the names or formulas for things label, list, match, name,
memorized. outline, recognize,
Can identify something seen before. reproduce, select, state.
comprehensio Can paraphrase things memorized. Convert, explain, give
n Can identify the main idea. examples of, paraphrase,
Can convert from words to numbers in a rewrite, summarize,
mathematical word problem. translate.
Can translate from lone language to another.
Can define in own words as well as spell.
application Applies concepts and principles to new Apply, change, compute,
situations. manipulate, produce,
Applies rules and theories to practical situations. solve, use.
Solves mathematical problems.
Constructs graphs and charts.
Demonstrates correct use of a method or
procedure.
analysis Can identify relationships between and among Analyze, break down,
characters, events, and ideas in materials compare, contrast,
presented. differentiate, discriminate,
Can compare and contrast two or more things, distinguish, generalize,
telling how they are alike and different (but infer, outline, relate,
without choosing between them and defending subdivide.
the choice).
Can create an organizational plan of a work of
art, writing, or musical composition when that
work is presented.
Can tell how parts contribute to the whole of a
work.
synthesis Can create something new from parts supplied or Categorize, compose,
learned earlier. connect, create, design,
Given two things and their relationship, can set devise, plan, relate,
up a comparable relationship between two reorganize, write.
different things.
Can bring together learning from various fields
to help solve a problem using a new solution.
Can create new ways to classify idea, events, or
characters.
evaluation Can compare two or more things (ideas, events, Compare, conclude,
characters, thoughts), tell how they are alike, contrast, defend, evaluate,
how they are different, and can tell which one judge, justify, support.
is better and why.
Can judge if supporting evidence is sufficient.