Mastering IB Command Terms: Your Ultimate Guide

Ever felt like you knew the content inside and out, but still didn't get the marks you deserved on an exam? The problem might not be your knowledge, but how you're interpreting the question. IB command terms are the secret code of your exam papers. They are the single most important words in a question, telling you exactly what the examiner wants to see, how deep you need to go, and how to structure your answer.

Nailing these isn't just a small trick—it's one of the most high-leverage skills you can develop for your exams. Think of this as your decoder ring.

By using this guide, you will learn how to:

Decode any exam question by identifying its core instruction.
Structure your answers perfectly for every type of question, from a simple 'State' to a complex 'Evaluate'.
Stop losing marks for accidentally answering a different question than the one that was asked.

Objective 1: The Foundations (Knowledge & Understanding)

These are the building blocks. They ask you to pull information directly from your memory and present it clearly. Think of these as the 'what' questions. They don't require deep analysis, just accurate recall. They are the easiest marks to get if you just give the examiner what they want.

Command Term	What It Means / What To Do
Define	Give the precise, textbook meaning of a word or concept. Keep it short and sharp.
Describe	Give a detailed account. Paint a picture with your words, covering the key characteristics.
Identify	Pick out the correct piece of information from a range of possibilities. Often a one-word answer.
List	Give a series of points, usually one after the other. No explanation is needed.
Outline	Give the main features or a brief summary of something. Think bullet points, but in sentence form.
State	Give a specific name, value, or brief answer without any explanation.

The Lanterna Tip: Don't get caught out by "Describe" vs. "Explain". "Describe" wants a detailed picture of what something is like. "Explain" wants the why or how behind it. Adding a "why" to a "describe" question won't get you extra marks and, more importantly, wastes precious time in an exam!

Objective 2: The Next Level (Application & Analysis)

Now we're moving beyond just remembering facts. These terms ask you to apply your knowledge to new scenarios, break down concepts, and show the relationships between them. This is where you start to show off your critical thinking skills and prove you actually understand the material, not just memorise it.

Command Term	What It Means / What To Do
Analyze	Break a concept down into its essential parts and explain how they relate to each other to form the whole.
Apply	Use your knowledge in a new situation or to solve a given problem. Connect theory to a real-world example.
Distinguish	Make the differences between two or more concepts crystal clear. You don't need to mention similarities.
Explain	Give a detailed account with reasons and causes. This is the "why" or "how" question.
Examine	Look at a concept or argument closely, uncovering its assumptions and underlying relationships.
Suggest	Propose a solution, hypothesis, or idea. It needs to be plausible and based on your knowledge.

Objective 3: The Top Tiers (Synthesis & Evaluation)

Welcome to the high-mark questions. These command terms are your ticket to a 6 or a 7. They require you to form arguments, make judgments, and weigh up different perspectives. Your own supported opinion is often the core of your answer here. Be balanced, be decisive, and always, always back it up with evidence.

Command Term	What It Means / What To Do
Compare	Focus only on the similarities between two things, referring to both throughout your answer.
Compare and Contrast	Discuss both the similarities and the differences, giving balanced attention to both.
Contrast	Focus only on the differences between two things.
Discuss	Offer a balanced review covering a range of arguments, factors or perspectives. Use evidence to support your points.
Evaluate	Make a judgment on the value or importance of something by weighing up its strengths and limitations.
Justify	Provide solid reasons and evidence to support an argument or conclusion. Persuade the examiner that you're right.
To what extent	Consider how far something is true or contributes to a particular outcome. You must present both sides of the argument but come to a clear conclusion.

The Practical Stuff (Diagrams, Graphs & Calculations)

Especially for my science, math, and geography students, these terms are your bread and butter. They're about performing a specific, practical action. Precision is key! For "Calculate" or "Show", that means showing your working. For "Draw", that means using a pencil and a ruler.

Command Term	What It Means / What To Do
Annotate	Add brief notes to a diagram or graph to provide explanation.
Calculate	Find a numerical answer. You must show your working.
Construct	Create a diagram or graph.
Determine	Obtain the only possible answer.
Draw	Represent with a labeled, accurate diagram or graph. Use a pencil!
Label	Add names or titles to a diagram.
Measure	Find a value for a quantity using an instrument.
Plot	Mark points on a graph.

Manmohini Tiwari
Hi, I’m Manmohini, an IB graduate with 40 points, now studying International Relations and Global Affairs in Italy. I earned 7s in HL History and HL English A, along with an A in TOK, and I’ve been tutoring these subjects for around four years. My experience working with organisations like NATO and the United Nations has deepened my understanding of global issues — something I love bringing into my lessons to make learning more relevant and thought-provoking. I focus on helping students see connections between ideas, develop strong essay and critical thinking skills, and approach the IB with confidence and curiosity rather than stress. My lessons are interactive and tailored to each student’s goals, whether that’s improving analysis, refining writing, or mastering exam techniques. I see tutoring as more than academics — it’s about building perspective and empowering students to express themselves clearly while staying balanced.. When I’m not tutoring, you’ll usually find me hiking, playing new music, or planning my next travel adventure.

IB command terms are the specific instruction words (like 'analyse', 'evaluate', or 'describe') used in exam questions and assignments. Understanding them is crucial because they tell you exactly what the examiner expects in your answer. Misinterpreting a command term is a common reason students lose marks, even if they know the content well.

'Explain' requires you to give a detailed account with reasons and causes. 'Discuss' is more complex, requiring a balanced review of a range of arguments, factors, or hypotheses, supported by evidence. Mastering these nuances is key to top marks, and it's something our expert IB tutors focus on with their students.

Practice and expert feedback are essential. You need to practice writing answers and have someone who has excelled in the IB review them specifically for how well you addressed the command term. A Lanterna tutor can provide this targeted feedback to help you refine your exam technique.

Yes, it's a great time to start! Building a strong foundation in understanding and applying command terms from DP1 will build confidence and make exam preparation in DP2 much less stressful. Our tutors can help students develop these skills early on.

The Lanterna IB consultation is a free, 20-30 minute online call with one of our Student Success Experts. It's a chance for students and parents to discuss their specific IB challenges, like mastering command terms, and receive a personalised plan with clear next steps to improve their grades and confidence.

Absolutely. The consultation is completely free and comes with no obligation to purchase tutoring. Our goal is to provide genuine, expert guidance to help you navigate the IB. We want you to leave the call with a clear plan, whether you choose to work with us or not.

Our Student Success Experts are specialists in the IB programme. They have a deep understanding of its challenges and what it takes to succeed. They work with families to identify a student's unique needs and create a tailored support strategy, connecting them with the perfect tutor if that's the right fit.

The principles of using command terms apply across the IB, but their application can be nuanced for each subject. Our tutors cover nearly all IB subjects at SL and HL. During a free consultation, we can build a holistic plan that addresses your challenges in each subject, ensuring you develop a consistent and effective approach.

You will receive a summary of the discussion and a clear, actionable plan. If you decide that tutoring is the right next step, your Student Success Expert will match you with an ideal tutor from our global network of IB graduates. If not, you are free to use the insights and plan from the call on your own.

It's very possible. Many bright students know their subject content inside and out but don't score well because their answers aren't structured to meet the command term's requirements. This is a common and fixable problem. Booking a free consultation is the perfect way to diagnose if this is the issue and get a plan to fix it.

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