Examination command words – the language

of examiners
Command, directive or key words
Examination questions contain a wide variety of different command words. These are the words that tell you what sort of
answer is expected for each question. In Business Studies they suggest to you which skills are being tested. Different command
words will be used to encourage you to demonstrate knowledge and understanding; application and analysis; and evaluation.
Note that there is a large number of these command words and only the main ones are explained here

Knowledge and understanding (AO1)

Certain command words are used to find out what you know about the subject. They test your knowledge and understanding.

Edexcel IGCSE Business Studies ActiveBook

Some examples, their meaning and an example of how they might be used in a Business Studies exam are given below.
● Define – to give the exact meaning of a term or a phrase.
Define the term public sector.
● State – to write down something.
State two examples of current assets.
● What is – to clarify something.
What is meant by secondary market research?
● Give – to write down or say something. Sometimes followed by ‘an example’ or ‘an account of ’.
Give two examples of fringe benefits.
● How – to present an account of something.
How might the business motivate its workers?
● Describe – to give an account or portrayal of something.
Describe two sources of internal finance.
● Outline – to give a short description of the main aspects or features.
Outline one reason why a business might recruit staff internally.

Application and analysis (AO2 and AO3)

Certain command words are used to encourage you to apply knowledge to a situation, to work out why something has
happened and to give reasons. Such words are designed to encourage you to demonstrate application and analysis skills.
● Analyse – to examine the importance of certain things in detail, show relationships and make comparisons if applicable.
Analyse the benefits of training to both employers and employees.
● Calculate – to work out mathematically, usually numerically, but sometimes from a graph, for example.
Calculate the net profit margin for the business.
● Why – to present reasons for something.
Why might high interest rates result in redundancies for the business?
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 ● Examine – to investigate closely to find out the ‘truth’ of the situation as if carrying out an investigation.
Examine the reasons why the business collapsed.
● Suggest and give reasons for – to explain why, giving a justification.
Suggest two reasons why the business cut its price by 20%.
● Distinguish – to show differences between two or more things.
Distinguish between direct and indirect costs.
● Explain – to make clear a concept, idea or viewpoint. It may involve giving an illustration of the meaning or examples. It is
often followed by the word ‘how’ or ‘why’.
Explain two benefits of lean production to the business.

Evaluation (AO4)
Certain command words are used to encourage you to make a judgement or to evaluate a particular statement.
Edexcel IGCSE Business Studies ActiveBook

● Do you think – to comment on or give an opinion on the basis of evidence.

Do you think the decision to enter the Korean market was a good one?
● Discuss – to consider a contentious statement or to review an area which might have two or more views.
Discuss the factors that will be most important when deciding upon a new business location.
● Recommend – suggest a course of action with justification.
Recommend which pricing strategy might be appropriate in the circumstances faced by the business.
● Evaluate – to make an appraisal of something and to find out how important it is.
Evaluate the decision to introduce new technology in the factory.
● Advise – suggest a course of action in the belief that it is the best.
Advise the business on which method of training would be most suitable.
● To what extent (does/do) – to make a judgment or to measure.
To what extent has the business achieved its aims?