A-Level Economics Command Words: CSQ & Essay Guide (H1/H2)

One of the most tragic ways to lose marks in the Singapore-Cambridge A-Level Economics exam is the dreaded “NAQ” (Not Answering Question) penalty. You can memorize every single economic model, but if you do not tailor your answer to the specific Command Word, the examiner cannot award you the marks.

Whether you are tackling a 1-mark data-response question in Paper 1 (CSQ) or a 15-mark Essay question in Paper 2, you must play by Cambridge’s rules. During our JC Economics Tuition (A-Level), we train our students to dissect the command word before they even look at the extract. Here is the ultimate, comprehensive breakdown of A-Level Economics command words.

1. Data Extraction & Basic Application (CSQ)

These command words usually appear early in Case Study Questions. They carry fewer marks (1 to 4 marks) and test your ability to read data or apply basic mathematical concepts to a given extract.

Command Word	Action Required by Examiner
Identify / State	Extract a piece of information directly from the text or graph without explanation (e.g., “Identify the year with the highest inflation”).
Calculate	Compute a numerical value (e.g., Price Elasticity of Demand or Opportunity Cost) using the data provided. Always show your workings to secure full marks.
Describe	State the main features, pattern, or trends observed directly from the data (e.g., “Describe the trend of Singapore’s GDP from 2020-2023”). Do not explain why it happened unless asked.
Suggest	Propose a viable reason or solution based on your economic knowledge and clues from the case study extract.
Compare	Identify and explain both the similarities and the differences between two data sets or concepts.
Distinguish	Focus specifically on the differences between two or more concepts (e.g., Scarcity vs. Shortage).

2. Analysis & Explanation (CSQ & Essay Part A)

These command words form the core of 4 -to-6-mark questions. They require a rigorous, step-by-step transmission mechanism, often supported by accurate economic diagrams.

Command Word	Action Required by Examiner
Explain	Use clear, step-by-step economic logic, supported by real-world examples and fully labelled diagrams.
Explain Whether	Same as Explain but to address both possibilities: Why “A” may happen and Why “A” may not happen
Account for	Provide reasons based on Case Evidence; explain why a particular economic phenomenon occurs (e.g., “Account for the sharp rise in global oil prices”).
Analyse	Break the concept down into parts and provide a step-by-step economic explanation of how a policy or event leads to an outcome.

3. Evaluation & Judgment (Higher-Order CSQ & Essay Part B)

These are the heavyweights. Appearing in 8-10-mark CSQ questions and 15-mark Essay questions, these require you to earn Evaluation (EV) marks. You must provide a two-sided argument and a synthesized conclusion. Scoring well for EV marks is especially important for H2 Econs and hence a core part of the skills training under our H2 Economics tuition programme.

Command Word	Action Required by Examiner
Discuss	Explore various possibilities; ensure you offer a balanced review that covers both sides of the argument (Thesis and Anti-Thesis).
Discuss…..whether the best policy…..	Ensure that the Discussion also encompasses consideration of alternative policy(ies)
Evaluate / Assess	Critically examine the pros and cons, or strengths and weaknesses. Consider other influencing factors (like time lags or elasticity) and make a judgment.
To What Extent	Argue “how so” vs. “how not so.” You must provide a concluding judgment that explicitly answers the degree of impact (e.g., “To a large extent, but limited by…”).
Explain whether (only for Case)	Address both possibilities (Yes and No) and provide a reasoned, well-supported judgment.
Examine (only for Case)	Investigate a statement closely, looking at how it may or may not be true based on economic frameworks.
Comment (only for Case)	Provide a reasoned opinion. To score well, it is usually best to cover both sides of the issue before giving your verdict.

How to Apply This in Your Exams

Understanding the definition of the command word is only step one. Step two is structuring your actual paragraphs to secure the maximum marks available.

👉 Ready to put this into practice? Read our Master Guide on How to Write a Distinction-Scoring A-Level Economics Essay to see these exact command words answered using our proprietary PEEL(ED) framework.