Answer Directly, No Working Needed
Quick Recall Commands
These commands ask for an answer only. Lengthy working wastes time.
| Command | What you must do | Exam tip |
|---|---|---|
| Write down | Obtain the answer, usually by reading it straight from a table, diagram or the information given — no working is required or expected. | Don’t show working |
| State | Give a specific name, value or brief answer without explanation or calculation. | One line only |
| Identify | Provide an answer from a number of possibilities — pick the correct one from what is given. | Select, don’t derive |
| Label | Add labels (names or values) to a given diagram or graph. | Annotate precisely |
Method Marks Are at Stake
Computation Commands
These commands require working. Method marks are awarded for correct steps.
| Command | What you must do | Exam tip |
|---|---|---|
| Calculate | Obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages of working. | Working required |
| Find | Obtain an answer, showing relevant working. | Working required |
| Solve | Obtain the answer(s) using algebraic, numerical or graphical methods — typically for an equation or inequality. | All solutions, please |
| Determine | Obtain the only possible answer — often by a chain of reasoning rather than a single formula. | Unique answer |
| Estimate | Obtain an approximate value for a quantity. | Sensible accuracy |
| Verify | Provide evidence that validates the given result — usually by substituting back or checking the conditions hold. | Substitute back |
Where Most Marks Are Lost
Reasoning & Justification Commands
These commands demand a logical argument, not just a result.
| Command | What you must do | Exam tip |
|---|---|---|
| Show that | Obtain the required result (possibly using information given) without the formality of a full proof. The target answer is printed — your working must lead to it. | Never use the printed answer in your working |
| Prove | Give a formal proof or a sequence of logical steps leading to the result. | Every step justified |
| Deduce | Reach a conclusion from the information given — the answer must follow from the data, not from elsewhere. | Use the given data |
| Derive | Manipulate a mathematical relationship to obtain a new equation or relationship. | Algebra from the start |
| Hence | Use the preceding work to obtain the required result — starting from scratch loses the method mark. | Must build on earlier part |
| Hence or otherwise | Use the preceding work or any other method to obtain the required result. | Previous part usually fastest |
| Justify | Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion. | Reason + result |
| Demonstrate | Make clear by reasoning or evidence, illustrating with worked examples. | Show, don’t claim |
Answer in Words, Not Just Numbers
Description & Interpretation Commands
These commands are answered in sentences based on the context.
| Command | What you must do | Exam tip |
|---|---|---|
| Describe | Give a detailed account — say what is happening (a pattern, trend or feature). | What only |
| Explain | Give a detailed account including reasons or causes — say what and why. | What + why |
| Comment | Give a judgment based on a given statement or result. | Refer to context |
| Interpret | Use knowledge and understanding to recognise trends and draw conclusions from given information. | Meaning, in context |
| Suggest | Propose a solution, hypothesis or other possible answer — more than one may be acceptable. | Reasoned guess ok |
| Distinguish | Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items. | Contrast both sides |
Pencil, Ruler, Labels
Graph & Diagram Commands
Drawing commands are marked on specific features like shape, intercepts, and asymptotes.
| Command | What you must do | Exam tip |
|---|---|---|
| Sketch | Represent by means of a diagram or graph, labelled as appropriate. A sketch gives a general idea of the shape and includes relevant features (intercepts, maxima/minima, asymptotes). | Shape + key features |
| Plot | Mark the position of points on a diagram accurately, to a given scale. | Accuracy matters here |
| Annotate | Add brief notes to a diagram or graph. | Short labels only |
Read the Question Twice
How Command Terms Map to Marks
Match your response to the command and the mark allocation.
Marks ≠ lines
A 1-mark “state” needs one line; a 6-mark “show that” needs every step. Let the command, not your speed, set the answer length.
Hence
Means the mark scheme expects you to reuse the previous part. Restarting from scratch usually loses the method mark even with a correct answer.
Show that
The answer is printed, so it is useless as a working step. Derive it fully — and if stuck later, you may use the printed result in subsequent parts.
Explain & interpret
Answer in the context of the question (“the population grows faster after 2010…”), not as an abstract statement about the function.
Ready to practise? Apply these on the DP Mathematics (AA & AI) or MYP Mathematics exam resources.