When answering an exam question, you need to make sure that you understand exactly what's being asked.
By focusing on the key verbs in exam questions, you can better understand what the question is asking and how to shape your answer to match it.
We have produced a series of exam verb explainer videos to help you in your question practice, and in the live exam.
| Advise | Provide expert guidance to a recipient, to help then make a well-informed decision - usually following some form of assessment or evaluation of information presented in the question scenario. | Watch now |
| Analyse | Break down information into individual components and examine each in detail, to identify any interrelationships, and to recognise the underlying and essential principles. | Watch now |
| Apply | Put into action concepts, techniques, methods or models which you have learnt, in the context of the scenario, ensuring that your response is directly relevant to the question being asked. | Watch now |
| Assess | Judge the value or importance of something by considering both its positive and negative aspects, or its strengths and weaknesses, in the context information provided in the question. | Watch now |
| Calculate | Determine numerical values using appropriate mathematical methods, formulas or procedures. | Watch now |
| Compare | Analyse the key components of each element and understand how they relate to one another. | Watch now |
| Contrast | Review two or more items to assess their differences, by analysing the key components of each element and understanding how they differentiate from one another. | Watch now |
| Conclude | Arrive at a well-reasoned judgement or decision, especially if your answer involved analysis, assessment or evaluation. Your conclusion should include a clear and decisive decision. | Watch now |
| Define | Clearly and concisely state the precise meaning of a term or concept, by giving a brief explanation without going into excessive detail. | Watch now |
| Describe | Communicate the key features of something by listing its characteristics, qualities or parts and providing a detailed account of each aspect. | Watch now |
| Discuss | Investigate or examine an issue by presenting balanced arguments both for and against it, by weighing the pros and cons of the issue, while applying relevant business knowledge and supported by evidence from the scenario. | Watch now |
| Evaluate | Judge the value or effectiveness of something for a specific purpose by considering whether it is good or bad, identifying advantages and disadvantages, as well as risks and opportunities. Provide a conclusion based on your evaluation. | Watch now |
| Explain | Make a concept clear and understandable to your audience, by showing logically how the concept has developed or by making something easily understood. | Watch now |
| Identify | Ascertain or pinpoint an issue, for example identifying adjustments which need to made to the financial accounts, identifying risks or control deficiencies or even key performance indicators. | Watch now |
| Illustrate | Normally used alongside another verb like explain or assess, Illustrate means to provide clear examples to support your explanation or assessment of the matter. Examples should be relevant to the question scenario. | Watch now |
| Interpret | Convey clearly the meaning of information or data by understanding and clarifying its significance. It may require you to identify key issues, perform calculations and provide a clear explanation of what the information represents. | Watch now |
| List | Itemise or specify the elements as requested in the question. You are not expected to provide any detailed explanation or analysis. | Watch now |
| Prepare | Prepare can not only relate to calculations but also to the type of document you many have been asked to present your answer in, such as reports, briefing notes or presentation slides. Ensure you use the appropriate format for the response you are preparing and respond with the right tone for the audience you will be addressing. | Watch now |
| Recommend | Select the most appropriate choice or action to pursue, flowing logically from any analysis or evaluation you have already included in your answer. Your recommendation should be specific, direct and well-reasoned. | Watch now |
| State | Provide a clear and concise explanation of a term, a concept, or the facts of an issue. You're not required to perform any analysis - just focus on presenting the exact point. | Watch now |
| Summarise | Provide a condensed account of the issues by highlighting the main facts, after obtaining a broad understanding of any issues presented. A summary may require a conclusion but not always - it will depend on what the question is asking for. | Watch now |
| Justify | Show adequate grounds for a decision or conclusion, by relating your arguments to the context of the organisation, or by using supporting evidence from the scenario. Recommendations must always be justified, even if not expressly requested in the question. | Watch now |
