IB Business Management Command Terms and Assessment Objectives

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards definitions, assessment objective classifications, exam response structures, and evaluation guidelines based on IB Business Management sources.

Apply

To use an idea, equation, principle, theory, or law in relation to a given problem or issue.

Define

To give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept, or physical quantity.

Demonstrate

To make clear by reasoning or evidence, illustrating with examples or practical application.

Describe

To provide a detailed account or description of a specific focus.

Annotate

To add brief notes to a diagram, chart, or graph.

Determine

To obtain the only possible answer in a question.

Discuss

To offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors, or hypotheses.

Construct

To display information in a diagrammatic or logical form.

Complete

To add missing information or data in a table or chart.

Recommend

To present an advisable course of action with appropriate supporting evidence or justified reasoning to a given situation, problem, or issue.

Plot

To mark the position of particular points on a diagram.

To what extent

To consider the merits or limits of an argument, proposal, view, or concept, with suitable evidence and substantiated comments.

Outline

To give a brief account or summary of something.

Compare and contrast

To give an account of the similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Calculate

To obtain a numerical answer, showing relevant stages in the working out.

List

To give a sequence of brief answers with no explanation required.

Distinguish

To make clear the differences between two or more terms, concepts, or items.

Compare

To give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Prepare

To put given data or information from the given stimulus or source material into a suitable format.

Comment

To give a judgement based on a given statement or the result of a calculation.

Justify

To give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion, with a fully justified and substantiated answer.

Label

To add texts or labels to a diagram, or to complete missing parts in a diagram.

Identify

To provide an answer from a number of possibilities, presented in the stimulus material in the exam or contents of the syllabus.

State

To give a specific name, value, or other brief answer without the need for an explanation or calculation.

Draw

To represent by means of a labelled, accurate diagram or graph using a pencil.

Analyze

To break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.

Explain

To provide a detailed account of something, including reasons or causes where appropriate.

Contrast

To give an account of the differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Evaluate

To make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations of something.

Suggest

To propose a solution, hypothesis, or other possible answer to a question, proposal, or issue.

Examine

To consider an argument, issue, or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the issue.

AO1 (Knowledge and understanding)

The assessment objective requiring students to learn and comprehend the meaning of information, covering command terms Define, Describe, Identify, List, Outline, and State.

AO2 (Application and analysis)

The assessment objective requiring students to use their knowledge and skills to break down ideas into simpler parts and see how the parts relate, covering command terms Analyze, Apply, Comment, Distinguish, Explain, Suggest, and Demonstrate.

AO3 (Synthesis and evaluation)

The assessment objective requiring students to rearrange component ideas into a new whole and make judgments based on evidence or a set of criteria, covering command terms Compare, Compare and contrast, Contrast, Discuss, Evaluate, Examine, Justify, Recommend, and To what extent.

AO4 (Use and application of appropriate skills)

The assessment objective requiring students to demonstrate the selection and use of subject-specific skills and techniques, covering command terms Annotate, Calculate, Complete, Construct, Determine, Draw/Label, Plot, and Prepare.