Key Terms You’re Likely To See In Your Final Exams
By
Year13
When we’re taught how to prepare for exams, we’re told we should focus on one subject at a time. This makes sense, because obviously you’re going to need to study maths to pass your maths exam. But we think it’s also really important to breakdown the terminology that will most likely be used in every exam.
It’s worth noting that these terms may require different responses, depending on the subject, but it’s super important to understand what these words actually mean. If you’re not sure how a word differs from subject to subject, best to ask your teacher, but here are some helpful definitions for your last minute study sessions.
Account: To provide an account is to state the reasons for something, or to narrate the events or transactions of how it came to be.
Analyse: To analyse is to identify the components and the relationship between them; to draw out and relate the implications.
Apply: To apply is to take a concept, theory or statement and to use it in the context of a particular situation.
Appreciate: To appreciate is to judge the value of something.
Assess: To assess is to make a judgement based on the value, quality, outcomes, results or size.
Calculate: To calculate is to determine an answer based on the given facts, figures or information.
Clarify: To clarify is to make clear or plain.
Classify: To classify is to group something into a category.
Compare: To compare is to exemplify how things are similar or different.
Construct: To construct is to make, build, or arrange items or arguments.
Contrast: To contrast is to show how things are different or opposite
Critically: To critically analyse or evaluate is to add a degree or level of accuracy, depth, knowledge, understanding, logic, questioning, reflection or quality to an argument. To go deeper.
Deduce: To deduce is to assess the evidence and then draw conclusions based on that evidence.
Define: To define is to state the meaning and identify essential qualities of a word, concept or phenomenon.
Demonstrate: To demonstrate is to show by example.
Describe: To describe is to provide a catalogue of the characteristics and features of something.
Discuss: To discuss is to identify issues and provide points for and/or against.
Distinguish: To distinguish is to recognise or indicate how one thing is different from another.
Evaluate: To evaluate is to make a judgement or determine the value of something based on certain criteria.
Examine: To examine is to enquire into or inspect something.
Explain: To explain is to relate the cause and effect and make the relationships between things evident. It’s also about providing the “why” and “how” of a given subject.
Extract: To extract is to choose the relevant and/or appropriate details.
Extrapolate: To extrapolate is to infer meaning and consequences from what is known.
Identify: To identify is to recognise and name.
Interpret: To interpret is to draw meaning from a set of information.
Investigate: To investigate is to plan, inquire into and draw conclusions about something.
Justify: To justify is to support an argument or conclusion with facts, figures or proof.
Outline: To outline is to sketch in general terms or to indicate the main features.
Predict: To predict is to suggest what may happen based on available information.
Propose: To propose is to put forward (for example a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration or action.
Recall: To recall is to present remembered ideas, facts or experiences.
Recommend: To recommend is to provide reasons in favour of an idea, person or solution.
Recount: To recount is to retell a narrative or a series of events
Summarise: To summarise is to concisely express the relevant details.
Synthesise: To synthesise is to put together the various elements of information to make a complete argument, narrative or theory.
Good luck, mates.
