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The Question Is Telling You Exactly What to Do

academic thinking command words exam skills Feb 21, 2026

(If you know how to read it)

 

Exam questions aren’t mysterious. They’re instructions — just written in academic code.

 

Step 1: Identify the command word

Words like analyse, explain, discuss, evaluate tell students how to think.

Question decoding strategies

 

Step 2: Spot the key concept

This is the idea being tested — theme, technique, character, perspective.

 

Step 3: Notice the hidden expectation

Many questions quietly ask students to:

  • Link ideas

  • Show impact

  • Make judgments

Once students learn to decode questions, answers become clearer and more focused.

Exam-ready thinking systems

 

FAQs

What are command words in exams?
 They tell students how to think — analyse, explain, discuss, evaluate.

Why do students misread questions?
 They focus on content instead of instructions.

Can question decoding be taught?
 Yes — and it dramatically improves focus and relevance.