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This article was first published in July 2018.

Checking on your progress isn't just about using past papers.

• Check out command words carefully to understand what the question is asking of you!
• Use past papers to make sure that you are managing your time well. Set yourself a time frame to complete each question
• Go through past paper answers with a different colour pen to highlight any marks you lose or mistakes you make
• Test yourself. Find out if your revision has been effective by using past papers or ask someone to test you
• If your notes are all bullet points, past papers might be the first chance you have to write in clear and linked sentences!
• Examiner reports can give you an idea of where students went wrong in previous exams
• Repeat your testing – it is important you test yourself more than once. Try it ten minutes after revising a topic, one day after, then a week later.

Command words and their definitions

• Describe: say what you see - no need for reasons
• Explain: give reasons
• Outline: give a brief summary
• Analyse: go into detail
• Compare: what are the similarities and differences?
• Contrast: what are the differences?
• Calculate: use numbers given to work out the value of something
• Define: give the meaning of something
• Evaluate: consider both sides - pros and cons
• Justify: give evidence to explain something
• To what extent: Judge the importance or success of something - has it worked or not
• Argue: present a case with evidence or reasons
• Assess: Weigh up / give an informed judgement
• Comment on: give your opinion on something
• Debate: give different perspectives