Understanding How to Answer RHS Command Words in Level 2 Exams
How you answer RHS command words directly affects how marks are awarded in written exams. In Sections B and C, the command word tells you how many points to make, how to structure your answer, and what the examiner is looking for.
Many students know the subject content but still lose marks because their answers do not match the instructions set by the command word. Writing too much, too little, or in the wrong format can all limit the marks awarded.
This guide shows you how examiners use command words to assess answers, how to match your response to the marks available, and how to structure answers so each point earns credit. Clear examples and exam-focused tips are included throughout.
This is ideal for RHS Level 2 learners who understand the subject content but want to improve their answers to exam questions.
- RHS Command Words Cheat Sheet (Download)
- Why Command Words Control Marks in RHS exams
- Command Words Are Instructions, Not Subject Content
- The List of Command Words Used in RHS Level 2 Exams
- What Examiners Expect to See in Your Answer
- How Each Command Word Is Marked
- Using Highlight, Structure, and Timing in the Exam
- Practice Strategies and Common Tips
- Match the Question to the Correct Command Word
RHS Command Words Cheat Sheet (Download)
If you’ve ever lost marks even though you knew the topic, command words are often the reason.
This cheat sheet is designed to sit beside you while you practise exam questions. It gives a clear reminder of what each command word is asking for, how much detail to include, and where marks are gained, without needing to reread the whole page.
Why Command Words Control Marks in RHS exams
Every written question in Section B and Section C begins with a command word. That single instruction controls:
- How much information should you include
- Whether you should give facts, features, or a reason
- How the examiner or teacher decides where marks are awarded
Marks can also depend on accuracy and precision, such as rounding to the correct significant figures. Even a correct calculation using a calculator can lose marks if the instruction is ignored.
This approach is not unique to horticulture. In GCSE maths, students must follow instructions carefully. A question may ask for a mathematical proof, work involving congruence (geometry), or an answer using Pi, factorisation, or a quadratic equation.
RHS exams work in the same way. Exam technique matters as much as knowledge.
Command Words Are Instructions, Not Subject Content
Command words are not topics to revise in the same way as soil types or plant nutrition. They are instructions that tell you how to respond.
For example:
- Describe tells you to focus on features
- Explain tells you to give a reason
- Evaluate tells you to weigh up options and reach a judgement
Before writing, you should be able to explain in simple terms what the command word is asking you to do.
The List of Command Words Used in RHS Level 2 Exams
Below is a list of common command words and phrases used in RHS Level 2 papers, with a clear definition of what each one means in practice.
| Command word | What it means | What examiners expect |
|---|---|---|
| State | Give one clear fact | A short, direct point |
| Identify | Name something correctly | The correct term |
| List | Give several brief points | Separate items |
| Describe | Say what something is like | Features or characteristics |
| Explain | Say how or why something happens | Cause and effect |
| Outline | Give main points only | Brief explanation |
| Discuss | Consider more than one viewpoint | Balanced points |
| Evaluate | Reach a judgement | Strengths, limits, and a conclusion |
What Examiners Expect to See in Your Answer
Examiners are not marking how much you write. They are marking whether the information you include matches:
- the command word
- the number of marks available
For example:
- A 2-mark state question usually needs two short facts
- A 6-mark explain question needs several linked reasons
- A 15-mark evaluation question needs structure, balance, and a clear judgement
Writing more does not gain extra marks. Writing less often costs marks.
Use the sections below to match each command word to the structure examiners expect.
Command word
↓
What the examiner wants
↓
How to structure your answer
↓
Marks awarded
How Each Command Word Is Marked
State
Meaning
Give a single fact.
How to answer
- Write one short sentence or phrase
- Do not explain or give reasons
Example question
State one role of nitrogen in plants.
Example answer
Nitrogen supports leafy growth.
Common mistake
Adding a reason or extra detail.
Identify
Meaning
Name something correctly.
How to answer
- Use the correct term
- Give one item per mark
Example question
Identify one method of pest control used in gardens.
Example answers
Biological control.
Common mistake
Describing or explaining instead of naming.
List
Meaning
Give several brief points.
How to answer
- Write separate points
- Do not explain
Example question
List two signs of drought stress in plants.
Example answer
- Wilting leaves
- Leaf scorch
Common mistake
Turning points into complete sentences or explanations
Describe
Meaning
Say what something looks like or what happens.
How to answer
- Focus on features or observations
- Avoid giving reasons
Example question
Describe symptoms of waterlogging in soil.
Example answer
The soil may appear compacted, with standing water and a sour smell.
Common mistake
Explaining why the symptoms occur.
Explain
Meaning
Give a reason and show cause and effect.
How to answer
- Link cause and effect clearly
- Use full sentences
Example question
Explain why compacted soil affects plant growth.
Example answer
Compacted soil reduces air spaces, limiting oxygen to roots and restricting root growth.
Common mistake
Stating facts without linking cause and effect.
Outline
Meaning
Summarise the main points with brief detail.
How to answer
- Short explanation for each point
- Keep detail limited
Example question
Outline two benefits of adding organic matter to soil.
Example answer
Organic matter improves soil structure and increases water retention.
Common mistake
Writing in too much depth.
Discuss
Meaning
Consider different approaches or viewpoints.
How to answer
- Present more than one idea
- Support each with a reason
Example question
Discuss methods of weed control used in gardens.
Example answer
Hand weeding avoids chemical use but can be time-consuming, while mulching suppresses weeds and improves soil condition.
Common mistake
Only giving one side of the argument.
Evaluate
Meaning
Make a judgment based on evidence.
How to answer
- Weigh up the positives and negatives
- Finish with a clear conclusion
Example question
Evaluate the use of peat-free composts in gardening.
Example answer
Peat-free composts reduce environmental damage and support sustainability, but some dry out quickly. Overall, they are suitable for most garden uses when managed carefully.
Common mistake
Describing without reaching a judgement
Using Highlight, Structure, and Timing in the Exam
Before you start writing:
- Read the whole Exam Question carefully
- Highlight the command word
- Check the number of marks
This short pause helps you plan your answer and stay focused.
Example Exam Question With Clear Structure
Exam Question
Outline two ways gardeners can improve soil structure.
Command word: Outline
Answer
Adding organic matter improves soil structure by increasing pore spaces. Avoiding cultivation when the soil is wet reduces compaction.
Practice Strategies and Common Tips
Strong exam technique comes from regular practice:
- Practise spotting command words in past papers
- Rewrite answers to match the instructions better
- Use short, timed questions
- Check whether your answer really answers the question
A helpful tip is to read your answer back and ask whether it follows the command word exactly.
Match the Question to the Correct Command Word
Final Advice
Command words guide your answer. When you follow them carefully, you give the examiner exactly what they are marking. Clear instructions lead to clear answers, and clear answers gain marks.
Command words are about technique as much as knowledge.
If you want help applying them confidently in exam answers,
you can book a 1-to-1 session.
This is especially helpful for those who lose marks even though they may know the subject content.