One of the fastest ways to lose marks in IB Design Technology exams is misunderstanding command terms. Many students know the content but answer questions at the wrong depth because they misread what the question is actually asking.
IB examiners are very precise. Each command term signals how much detail, explanation, and evaluation is required. Learning how to respond correctly to command terms is one of the most effective exam strategies in Design Technology.
Why Command Terms Matter So Much
Command terms tell you:
- How deep your answer should go
- Whether explanation or evaluation is required
- How marks are allocated
If you write a descriptive answer when evaluation is required, your response will be capped, no matter how accurate the content is.
The Most Common IB Design Technology Command Terms
Explain
This is one of the most frequently used command terms.
Explain means:
- Give reasons
- Show cause and effect
- Answer “how” or “why”
A strong explanation:
- Identifies a concept
- Applies it to the context
- Explains its impact
Listing points without reasoning will not earn full marks.
Describe
Describe requires less depth than explain.
It means:
- State characteristics
- Outline features or processes
However, description alone rarely earns high marks. Overusing description in questions that require explanation or analysis is a common mistake.
Analyse
Analyse requires breaking something down and showing relationships.
In Design Technology, this often involves:
- Linking design features to performance
- Explaining cause and effect
- Comparing options
Strong analysis shows how different factors interact, not just what they are.
Evaluate
Evaluate is a high-level command term that appears often in Paper 2.
It requires:
- Judgement
- Balanced discussion
- Consideration of strengths and limitations
Strong evaluation:
- Uses evidence
- Acknowledges trade-offs
- Reaches a justified conclusion
One-sided answers rarely reach top markbands.
Suggest
Suggest requires realistic, context-appropriate ideas.
High-scoring suggestions:
- Are linked to the scenario
- Are justified
- Are practical
Unrealistic or generic suggestions earn few marks.
Justify
Justify means:
- Give valid reasons
- Support decisions with evidence
In Design Technology, justification often links:
- User needs
- Research
- Performance requirements
Answers without evidence are weak, even if the decision seems logical.
Command Terms Often Combined in Questions
IB frequently combines command terms, such as:
- Explain and evaluate
- Analyse and justify
In these cases, students must do both. Answering only one part usually limits marks.
How to Adjust Answer Length Based on Command Terms
- Describe: Short, focused
- Explain: Moderate length with reasoning
- Analyse: Structured paragraphs showing relationships
- Evaluate: Longer, balanced answers with judgement
Writing too much for low-level command terms wastes time, while writing too little for high-level terms caps marks.
Common Command Term Mistakes
Students often lose marks by:
- Writing descriptive answers for evaluation questions
- Ignoring part of a combined command
- Repeating definitions instead of applying concepts
- Not linking answers to the given scenario
Command terms should guide your structure before you start writing.
How to Practise Command Terms Effectively
Effective practice involves:
- Rewriting weak answers using stronger command-term focus
- Highlighting command terms before answering
- Planning answers based on depth required
This habit dramatically improves exam performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are command terms the same in Paper 1 and Paper 2?
Yes, but Paper 2 uses higher-level command terms like analyse and evaluate more frequently.
Should you memorise command term definitions?
Yes, but more importantly, practise applying them in real questions.
Can misunderstanding a command term cap your grade?
Absolutely. Many mid-level answers fail because they do not meet the required depth.
Final Thoughts
Command terms are not exam tricks — they are instructions. Students who understand and respond to them correctly gain marks without learning extra content.
RevisionDojo Tip
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