How Do Command Words Decide Your Marks in O-Level Physics?
Two students can know exactly the same physics and still walk out with different grades because the difference between them is often one small word at the start of the question. Yes, you heard that right, and those words are command words!
Command words decide your marks because they tell the examiner what depth of answer earns credit: For example, “state” wants a fact, “explain” wants a reason, whereas “calculate” wants the working of the question as well as a numerical value at some point. Only a few students know about this, and this makes a world of difference in their marks. Wondering what are command words and how you can understand them precisely? Here’s a blog from the tutors at our Singapore physics tuition to help you get started!
What Is a Command Word?
It is the verb that opens a question, such as:
- State
- Describe
- Explain
- Evaluate
- Suggest
- Calculate, or
- Determine
Examiners mark against the definition of these command words, so a brilliant answer to the wrong command can earn nothing. In fact, here’s something that surprises many people. Cambridge’s O Level Physics syllabus gives 50% of the weighting to knowledge with understanding (Theory paper), 30% to handling information and problem-solving (MCQs), and 20% to experimental skills (Practical Test). In plain terms, half the marks reward what you do with physics, not what you can recite, and command words form a major portion of that half.
Why Do Students Lose Marks Even When They Know the Content?
Students lose marks even after knowing the content because of the following three habits:
Over-answering “state” questions
For these questions, a one-word answer is enough, so you can spend the extra minutes elsewhere.
Under-answering “explain”
Students restate what they observed in questions starting with explain, and forget the physics principle that causes it.
Skipping the working in “calculate”
The answer is right, but the method and unit might be missing, which makes students lose marks.
Here, a useful rule of thumb is that marks usually match the number of distinct points needed, and a three-mark “explain” expects three linked ideas, not one long sentence repeating the same thing.
How Can You Train Yourself to Read Command Words Properly?
Confused about how to understand command words properly? Circle the command word before you write anything. Next, check the mark allocation and decide how many points you need. After marking a practice paper, label each lost mark as either a “knowledge error” or a “command word error”.
Many students are shocked at how many fall into the second group. If you want a companion habit, register for our O Level physics tuition Singapore or dive through our guide on how to check your physics answer without looking at the solution pairs nicely with this one.
Ready to Turn Words Into Marks?
Looking for reliable IP physics tuition in Singapore? Let the team at Best Physics Tuition™ help you! Contact us today, or visit our website to explore our programs and enrol for a course today!