IB command term
Outline in IB exams: what the command term asks for
By Michael Thompson - Head of Teaching Excellence; 15 years as an IB Coordinator
In an IB exam, 'outline' means giving a brief account of the main points, without detail, development or justification. Pick the key points, state them clearly in order, and stop. Anything beyond that earns nothing extra and costs you time.
Paraphrased from the command-term definitions in the IB Diploma Programme subject guides (International Baccalaureate Organization).
At a glance
Short, precise answers
Answer shape: A word to a few exact lines, no reasoning attached
What 'outline' asks you to do
Outline asks for a brief account of the main points. You are not asked for detail, development or justification. Your job is to choose the points that matter, name them, and move on. Think of it as the skeleton of an answer rather than the full body.
Selection and brevity are what get rewarded
Outline rewards selection and brevity. Name the main points in order and stop, because development earns nothing here. The marks usually mirror the number of distinct points expected, so keep each point separate. Do not blend several points into one long sentence, or the point you made may be hard to credit.
Brief does not mean vague
A strong outline answer still uses precise subject terminology. Short sentences are fine, but each one should name something specific from your subject. A vague phrase that could apply to any topic gives the marker little to credit, even if it is short.
Watch the plural in the question
If the question uses the plural, give more than one point. A single developed point does not satisfy an outline of several. Count what the question asks for, list that many distinct points, and resist the urge to expand any of them.
How outline differs from nearby command terms
The classic time sink is answering outline as if it were explain, spending minutes on mechanisms the question never asked for. Compare outline with describe, explain and state on their own pages so you can tell how much each one expects. Reading the command term first helps you set the right length before you start writing.
Where it appears
Biology
When a biology question says outline, name the main points and leave out the mechanisms behind them. Use the correct biological terms for each point, and do not turn the answer into an explanation.
Biology tutoringEconomics
In economics, an outline gives the main points as separate, clearly named items. Skip the chains of reasoning and the justification, and keep the economic terminology precise.
Economics tutoringGeography
In geography, outline the main points briefly and in order. Leave out extended development and justification, and check whether the question's plural calls for more than one point.
Geography tutoringBusiness Management
In business management, outline the key points as distinct, briefly stated items using the right business terms. Do not add the justification or development that other command terms ask for.
Business Management tutoringCommon mistakes
- Treating outline as explain and writing about mechanisms or reasons the question did not ask for.
- Blending several points into one long sentence so that the separate points are hard to see.
- Giving a single developed point when the question uses the plural and expects several.
- Writing something so short that it becomes vague and drops the precise subject terminology.
- Adding justification or development, which earns nothing under outline and uses up time.
Frequently asked questions
- What does outline mean in IB exams?
- It means giving a brief account of the main points, without detail, development or justification. Choose the key points, state them clearly, and stop.
- Is outline the same as explain?
- No. Explain asks for more development than outline does. Answering outline as if it were explain is a common time sink, because you spend minutes on mechanisms the question never asked for.
- How many points should I give for an outline question?
- The marks usually mirror the number of distinct points expected, so keep your points separate. If the question uses the plural, give more than one point rather than one developed point.
- Can I use informal language because the answer is brief?
- Keep it short, but still use precise subject terminology. Brief does not mean vague, and exact terms are what let a marker credit each point.
Related command terms
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