Answering the question

When answering an exam question, it is important to consider the question requirements carefully to make sure you understand exactly what is being asked. We highlight some common question verbs used in exams

Analyse
Actual meaning: Break into separate parts and discuss, examine, or interpret each part
Key tips:
Give reasons for the current situation or what has happened.

Apply

Actual meaning: To put into action pertinently and/or relevantly
Key tips
: Properly apply the scenario/case.

Assess

Actual meaning:
To judge the worth, importance, evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance
Key tips:
Determine the strengths/weaknesses/importance/ significance/ability to contribute.

Calculate

Actual meaning:
To ascertain by computation, to make an estimate of; evaluate, to perform a mathematical process
Key tips
: Provide description along with numerical calculations.

Comment

Actual meaning: To remark or express an opinion
Key tips:
Your answer should include an explanation, illustration or criticism.

Compare

Actual meaning:
Examine two or more things to identify similarities and differences 

Key tips:
Clearly explain the resemblances or differences.

Conclusion

Actual meaning
: The result or outcome of an act or process or event, final arrangement or settlement Key tips: End your answer well, with a clear decision.

Criticise

Actual meaning:
Present the weaknesses/problems; evaluate comparative worth. Don’t explain the situation. Instead, analyse it
Key tips:
Criticism often involves analysis.

Define

Actual meaning
: Give the meaning; usually a meaning specific to the course or subject
Key tips:
Explain the exact meaning because usually definitions are short.

Describe

Actual meaning
: Give a detailed account or key features. List characteristics, qualities and parts
Key tips
: Make a picture with words; identification is not sufficient.

Discuss

Actual meaning
: Consider and debate/argue about the pros and cons of an issue. Examine in detail by using arguments in favour or against
Key tips:
Write about any conflict, compare and contrast.

Evaluate

Actual meaning
: Determine the scenario in the light of the arguments for and against
Key tips:
Mention evidence/case/point/issue to support evaluation.

Explain

Actual meaning
: Make an idea clear. Show logically how a concept is developed. Give the reason for an event
Key tips: 
Don’t just provide a list of points, add in some explanation of the points you’re discussing.

Illustrate

Actual meaning
: Give concrete examples. Explain clearly by using comparisons or examples
Key tips: 
Add in some description.

Interpret

Actual meaning
: Comment on, give examples, describe relationships
Key tips:
Include explanation and evaluation.

List

Actual meaning
: List several ideas, aspects, events, things, qualities, reasons, etc
Key tips:
Don’t discuss, just make a list.

Outline

Actual meaning
: Describe main ideas, characteristics, or events
Key tips:
Briefly explain the highlighted points.

Prepare 
Actual meaning
: Set out a response using an appropriate format 
Key tips: 
The format of your answer should suit the document you’re preparing.

Recommend
Actual meaning
: Advise the appropriate actions to pursue in terms the recipient will understand
Key tips: Give advice or counsel.

Relate

Actual meaning
: Show the connections between ideas or events
Key tips:
Relate to real time examples.

State

Actual meaning
: Explain precisely
Key tips: Focus on the exact point.

Summarise

Actual meaning
: Give a brief, condensed account. Include conclusions. Avoid unnecessary details
Key tips:
Remember to conclude your explanation.

"Examiners' feedback often mentions times where students answer the question they would like to have been asked, rather than the one being asked. Remember to answer the question set"