Diploma Programme Command Terms Glossary.

You should be familiar with the command terms in your Diploma Programme
subjects as they are used frequently in examination questions and the course
content.

The command terms give you clear direction regarding what is expected from
you in in each exam question.

Read the definition of the command terms very carefully as the examiner will
be assessing your ability to do exactly what the command term is asking. The
command term shows you the amount of depth required for each question.

The third part of the table shows the different subjects where each command
term is used in the exams. The command term definition, and what is
required from you, is exactly the same for each subject where it is used.

If you are unsure of how to apply any of the command terms in your subject
please speak to your subject teacher.
Command Term Definition Subjects where
the command
term is used.
Analyse Break down in order to bring out the English A.
essential elements or structure. Japanese A
Economics.
History.
ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Visual Arts (non
exam).
Annotate Add brief notes to a diagram or graph. ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Apply Use an idea, equation, principle, Economics.
theory or law in relation to a given ESS.
problem or issue. Chemistry.
Physics.
Visual Arts (non
exam).

Calculate Obtain a numerical answer showing ESS.

the relevant stages in the working. Economics.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies.
Maths SL
Maths HL

Classify Arrange or order by class or category. Chemistry.

Command Term Definition Subjects where
the command
term is used.
Comment Give a judgment based on a given English A.
statement or result of a calculation. Japanese A
Economics.
ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies.
Maths SL
Maths HL

Compare Give an account of the similarities English A.

between two (or more) items or Japanese A
situations, referring to both (all) of Economics.
them throughout. History.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies.
Maths SL
Maths HL
Compare and Give an account of the similarities and English A.
contrast differences between two (or more) Japanese A
items or situations, referring to both Economics.
(all) of them throughout. History.
ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths SL
Maths HL
 Visual Arts (non
exam).
Command Term Definition Subjects where
the command
term is used.
Construct Display information in a diagrammatic Economics.
or logical form. ESS.
Physics.
Maths Studies.
Maths SL
Maths HL

Contrast Give an account of the differences English A.

between two (or more) items or Japanese A
situations, referring to both (all) of Economics.
them throughout. History.
ESS.
Maths SL
Maths HL
Visual Arts (non
exam).

Deduce Reach a conclusion from the ESS.

information given. Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies.
Maths SL
Maths HL

Define Give the precise meaning of a word, Economics.

phrase, concept or physical quantity. ESS.
 Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Command Term Definition Subjects where
the command
term is used.
Demonstrate Make clear by reasoning or evidence, Maths SL
illustrating with examples or practical Maths HL
application. Chemistry.
Physics.
Visual Arts (non
exam).
Derive Manipulate a mathematical Economics.
relationship to give a new equation or ESS.
relationship. Chemistry.
Physics.
Describe Give a detailed account. Japanese A
Economics.
ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL
Visual Arts (non
exam).
Design Produce a plan, simulation or model. Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.

Determine Obtain the only possible answer. Economics.

ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
 Physics.
Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL
Command Term Definition Subjects where
the command
term is used.
Differentiate Obtain the derivative of a function. Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL

Discuss Offer a considered and balanced English A.

review that includes a range of Japanese A
arguments, factors or hypotheses. Economics.
Opinions or conclusions should be History.
presented clearly and supported by ESS.
appropriate evidence. Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Visual Arts (non
exam).

Distinguish Make clear the differences between Economics.

two or more concepts or items. ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths SL
Maths HL

Draw Represent by means of a labelled, Economics.

accurate diagram or graph, using a ESS.
pencil. A ruler (straight edge) should Biology.
be used for straight lines. Diagrams Chemistry.
should be drawn to scale. Graphs Physics.
 should have points correctly plotted Maths Studies
(if appropriate) and joined in a Maths SL
straight line or smooth curve. Maths HL

Command Term Definition Subjects where

the command
term is used.
Estimate Obtain an approximate value. ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL
Evaluate Make an appraisal by weighing up the Japanese A
strengths and limitations. Economics.
History.
ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Visual Arts (non
exam).
Examine Consider an argument or concept in a Japanese A
way that uncovers the assumptions Economics.
and interrelationships of the issue. History.
English A.
Chemistry.
Visual Arts (non
exam).
Explain Give a detailed account, including English A.
reasons or causes. Japanese A
Economics.
ESS.
 Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths SL
Maths HL
Visual Arts (non exam).

Command Term Definition Subjects where

the command
term is used.
Explore Undertake a systematic process of English A.
discovery. Japanese A
Chemistry.
Visual Arts (non
exam).

Find Obtain an answer showing relevant Maths Studies

stages in the working. Maths SL
Maths HL

Formulate Express precisely and systematically Chemistry.

the relevant concept(s) or Physics.
argument(s).
Hence Use the preceding work to obtain the Maths Studies
required result. Maths SL
Maths HL
Physics.

Hence or It is suggested that the preceding Maths Studies

otherwise work is used, but other methods could Maths SL
also receive credit. Maths HL
Physics.

Identify Provide an answer from a number of Economics.

possibilities. ESS.
 Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths SL
Maths HL
Visual Arts (non
exam).
Command Term Definition Subjects where
the command
term is used.
Integrate Obtain the integral of a function. Maths SL
Maths HL

Interpret Use knowledge and understanding to Japanese A

recognize trends and draw conclusions Maths Studies
from given information. Maths SL
Maths HL
Chemistry.

Investigate Observe, study, or make a detailed Japanese A

and systematic examination, in order Maths SL
to establish facts and reach new Maths HL
conclusions.
Justify Give valid reasons or evidence to English A.
support an answer or conclusion. Japanese A
Economics.
ESS.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL
Visual Arts (non
exam).
Label Add labels to a diagram. Economics.
ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL
Command Term Definition Subjects where
the command
term is used.
List Give a sequence of brief answers with Economics.
no explanation. ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL
Visual Arts (non
exam).

Measure Obtain a value for a quantity. Economics.

ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.

Outline Give a brief account or summary. Economics.

ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Visual Arts (non
 exam).

Plot Mark the position of points on a Economics.

diagram. Physics.
Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL

Command Term Definition Subjects where

the command
term is used.
Predict Give an expected result. ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL

Present Offer for display, observation, Visual Arts (non

examination or consideration. exam).

Show Give the steps in a calculation or Economics.

derivation. Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL
Visual Arts (non
exam).

Show that Obtain the required result (possibly Economics.

using information given) without the Physics.
formality of proof. “Show that” Maths Studies
 questions do not generally require the Maths SL
use of a calculator. Maths HL

Sketch Represent by means of a diagram or Economics.

graph (labelled as appropriate). The Biology.
sketch should give a general idea of Chemistry.
the required shape or relationship, Physics.
and should include relevant features. Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL
Command Term Definition Subjects where
the command
term is used.
Solve Obtain the answer(s) using algebraic Economics.
and/or numerical and/or graphical ESS.
methods. Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL

State Give a specific name, value or other Economics.

brief answer without explanation or ESS.
calculation. Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
Maths Studies
Maths SL
Maths HL

Suggest Propose a solution, hypothesis or Economics.

other possible answer. ESS.
Biology.
Chemistry.
Physics.
 Maths HL

To what extent Consider the merits or otherwise of English A.

an argument or concept. Opinions Japanese A
and conclusions should be presented Economics.
clearly and supported with History.
appropriate evidence and sound Visual Arts (non
argument. exam).
Verify Provide evidence that validates the Maths Studies
result. Maths SL
Maths HL
Command Term Definition Subjects where
the command
term is used.
Write down Obtain the answer(s), usually by Physics.
extracting information. Little or no Maths Studies
calculation is required. Working does Maths SL
not need to be shown. Maths HL