EN25: Exam Command Words
Understanding and responding to GCSE Engineering exam command words for maximum marks.
Exam Command Words
Understanding and responding to GCSE Engineering exam command words for maximum marks.
Key Fact: State: give a brief factual answer without explanation.
Key Fact: Describe: give a detailed account of what something is or how it works.
Key Fact: Explain: give reasons or causes - say how AND why.
Key Fact: Compare: identify similarities AND differences between two or more items.
Key Fact: Evaluate: weigh up strengths and weaknesses and make a justified judgement.
Key Fact: Justify: give reasons to support a decision or choice.
Key Fact: Discuss: present a balanced argument considering different viewpoints before reaching a conclusion.
Key Fact: Analyse: break down a topic into parts and examine how they relate to each other and the whole.
Key Fact: Calculate: show numerical working using a formula.
Key Fact: Sketch: produce a simple drawing to illustrate a concept, labelled where appropriate.
Key Fact: Design: create a solution that meets a specification, showing drawings and explaining decisions.
Key Fact: Suggest: propose an idea using engineering knowledge (multiple acceptable answers possible).
📋 Key Vocabulary and Concepts
For Exam Command Words, you must know:
- State: Give a brief, factual answer without explanation or reasoning.
- Explain: Give reasons or causes; say how something works AND why it works that way.
- Evaluate: Assess strengths and weaknesses, then make a justified judgement or recommendation.
- Compare: Identify both similarities and differences between two or more items.
- Justify: Provide valid reasons or evidence to support a decision, choice or conclusion.
- Discuss: Present a balanced argument considering different perspectives before reaching a conclusion.
❓ Practice Questions
Q: What is the difference between describe and explain?
Q: How should you structure an answer to an evaluate question?
Q: What does a compare answer require that a describe answer does not?
Q: How should you approach a justify question?
Q: What is the key difference between discuss and evaluate?
✅ Answers
- Describe tells what happens (the process or features); explain tells why it happens (the reasons or mechanisms).
- Identify strengths and weaknesses of each option, then make a clear, justified judgement about which is better and why.
- A compare answer must identify BOTH similarities AND differences. A describe answer only states features without linking them.
- State your choice clearly, then provide specific, technical reasons supporting it. Each reason should link a feature to a requirement.
- Discuss requires a balanced argument from multiple perspectives. Evaluate requires the same PLUS a clear, justified judgement.
🎯 Exam Tips
- Underline the command word before answering - it tells you exactly what structure is needed.
- Explain = how + why; Describe = what only; Evaluate = strengths + weaknesses + judgement.
- Compare requires structured comparative sentences (X is... whereas Y is...).
- Justify answers must start with a clear choice, then support it with specific reasons.
- For calculate questions, always write the formula, substitute values, show working and state units.
📝 Exam Technique
GCSE Engineering Exam Tips — Exam Command Words:
1. For Exam Command Words questions, use precise design and technology terminology
2. Consider function, aesthetics, ergonomics, sustainability and cost in your answers
3. When evaluating, justify your design decisions with reference to user needs and specifications
4. Show your understanding of Exam Command Words through both theory and practical application
5. Reference real products and manufacturing processes where relevant
1. For Exam Command Words questions, use precise design and technology terminology
2. Consider function, aesthetics, ergonomics, sustainability and cost in your answers
3. When evaluating, justify your design decisions with reference to user needs and specifications
4. Show your understanding of Exam Command Words through both theory and practical application
5. Reference real products and manufacturing processes where relevant
⚠️ Common Errors
✗ Answering explain the same as describe. ✓ Explain requires reasons AND mechanisms (how and why); describe only requires an account of what happens.
✗ Writing everything you know regardless of the command word. ✓ You must answer the specific command word: compare needs similarities and differences, not just descriptions.
✗ Giving a judgement without evidence in an evaluate answer. ✓ An evaluation judgement must be supported by strengths and weaknesses; an unsupported opinion gains no marks.
✗ Only listing differences in a compare answer. ✓ Compare requires both similarities AND differences; listing only differences is incomplete.
✍️ Model Answer
Full-Mark Response
A question asks: Evaluate the suitability of sand casting versus die casting for producing 500 aluminium engine covers per year. Outline the structure of a full-mark answer. [6 marks]
The answer should evaluate both processes. Sand casting: advantage - lower tooling cost; disadvantage - slow cycle time, poor finish, wider tolerances. Die casting: advantage - fast cycles, excellent finish, tight tolerances; disadvantage - very high tooling cost. At 500 per year, die casting tooling may not amortise effectively, making sand casting more economical. However, if good finish and tight tolerances reduce post-machining, die casting may still be justified. The judgement should state which is recommended with specific cost-volume justification.
📊 AO Deep Dive
Assessment Objective Analysis
AO1 (Knowledge & Understanding): Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of exam command words, including materials, manufacturing processes and engineering systems relevant to AQA 8852 & WJEC Eduqas 5799QA.
AO2 (Application): Apply knowledge and understanding of exam command words to analyse, design and manufacture engineering solutions.
AO3 (Evaluation): Evaluate engineering solutions, making reasoned judgements about material choices, manufacturing processes, performance and practical considerations, constructing supported arguments.
📝 Exam Questions by Topic
🎬 Video Resources
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