7.0 SEAB Command Words & Examiner Taxonomy
Examiner Decoders: Command words tell you which Assessment Objective (AO) is being tested and therefore how many marks and what analytical depth are expected. Writing a pure description for an “Evaluate” question mathematically caps your response at Level 1/2.
1. Master Command Word Quick Reference
| Command Word | Primary AO Level | Mark Range | What the Examiner Demands | Response Skeleton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Define / State / Identify / List | Knowledge | 1–3 marks | Precise syllabus definition or naming specific factors. | Complete, formal single sentence. No lengthy explanations. |
| Describe / Outline | + | 2–4 marks | State the core features with brief contextual details. | “X is [definition], and operates by [key feature/example].” |
| Explain / Distinguish | + | 4–8 marks | Build a multi-step causal chain (Because \rightarrow Leads to \rightarrow Consequence). | Point \rightarrow Mechanism \rightarrow Contextual Example \rightarrow Operational Consequence. |
| Analyse / Examine | Analysis | 6–12 marks | Deconstruct complex relationships; examine causes, consequences, and trade-offs. | 2–3 fully developed analytical chains linked directly to the case data. |
| Calculate / Interpret | Quantitative | 2–8 marks | State formula, show working with units, and interpret commercial meaning. | Formula \rightarrow Substitution \rightarrow Final Answer with Units \rightarrow Diagnostic Interpretation. |
| Discuss | + | 8–25 marks | Balanced two-sided analysis (Pros vs Cons) ending with a clear, justified judgment. | Arguments For \rightarrow Arguments Against \rightarrow Evaluative Synthesis. |
| Evaluate / Assess | Evaluation | 10–25 marks | Weigh competing factors under uncertainty and deliver a substantiated conclusion. | Two-sided analysis \rightarrow Weighting by criteria \rightarrow Conditionality (“It depends on…”). |
| Recommend / Advise / Justify | Decision | 10–20 marks | Make a single unambiguous strategic decision and defend why it beats alternatives. | Final Recommendation \rightarrow Justification vs Criteria \rightarrow Risk Mitigation Plan. |
| To what extent… / Do you agree… | Balanced | 12–25 marks | Evaluate the validity of a stated view, explore counter-arguments, and take a clear stand. | Case Supporting Statement \rightarrow Counter-Arguments \rightarrow Positional Conclusion. |
2. Deep-Dive into High-Stakes Command Words
1. EXPLAIN (4 to 8 Marks — + )
- The Core Rule: You must never write a single-sentence assertion. Every point must have at least two logical link words (“because”, “which leads to”, “consequently”).
- Master Skeleton: \text{[Point: Direct answer]} \xrightarrow{\text{because}} \text{[Mechanism: Financial/Operational chain]} \xrightarrow{\text{therefore}} \text{[Impact on Profit / Value]}
2. ANALYSE (6 to 12 Marks — Heavy)
- The Core Rule: Deconstruct the business situation into its component parts. Link cause to effect, distinguish facts from opinions, and use case data.
- Examiner Metric: Aim for 2 to 3 fully developed analytical paragraphs for an 8-to-12-mark question.
3. EVALUATE / RECOMMEND (10 to 25 Marks — Dominant)
The Core Rule: Evaluation is not a polite summary of your previous paragraphs. Evaluation requires:
- Weighing Criteria: Explaining why one argument outweighs another (e.g. “In the short term Factor A dominates, but in the long term Factor B is decisive”).
- Conditionality: Stating the exact conditions under which your decision succeeds (“This recommendation succeeds provided that…”).
- Decisiveness: Making a firm, unambiguous recommendation—never sitting on the fence!
3. The 5 Golden Exam Command Word Rules
- Check the Mark Allocation First: A 2-mark question needs a definition; a 10-mark question demands two-sided analysis and evaluation.
- Never Jump the Chain (): Do not write “The company trained workers so profits increased”. Write: “The company trained workers \rightarrow which raised operational productivity and reduced assembly errors \rightarrow lowering unit production costs \rightarrow which widened operating profit margins.”
- Application is Non-Negotiable (): A generic answer with no company names or data figures will be capped at Level 1 (max 3/8 or 8/25 marks).
- Calculations Must Show Working: Always write the formula first. Even if the final arithmetic has an error, stating the formula and correct substitutions earns valuable method marks.
- No Evaluation = Capped Grade: If the command word is Evaluate, Discuss, or Recommend, an answer without a justified conclusion cannot score above Level 2.