Why State, Describe and Explain matter at A-level

At AQA A-level, questions carry more marks and demand greater precision. State, Describe and Explain require different response types. Examiner reports note that candidates overwrite State, add explanation to Describe, and give only description when Explain is required.

State: short and direct

AQA: Express in clear terms.

Give a brief, direct answer. No explanation, no “because”, no development. One mark usually means one clear point.

Describe: what and how, not why

AQA: Set out characteristics; give an account of phenomena, patterns or distributions.

Give an account of what something is or what happens. Include features, steps or characteristics. You do not need to explain causes or reasons.

Common mistake: Including reasons when only description is asked.

Explain: why and how, with reasons

AQA: Set out causes and factors influencing a phenomenon; requires understanding of processes.

Give reasons and links. Use “because”. Show cause and effect. At A-level, Explain often requires developed explanations—several linked points with logical chains of reasoning.

Common mistake: Stopping at what happens without saying why or how.

Quick comparison

Command word	Length	Focus	”Because”?
State	Short	Recall or identify	No
Describe	Medium	What / how	No
Explain	Longer	Why / how	Yes

Mark allocation at A-level

• 1–2 marks → often State or Identify
• 3–4 marks → often Describe or Explain (several points)
• 5–6+ marks → Explain (developed) or Discuss (extended)

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Based on AQA A-level command word definitions.