New NEBOSH General Certificate: guidance on command words

As part of the redevelopment of the IGC NEBOSH worked with the Plain English Campaign to ensure the language we use is easier to understand and straightforward with more direct and informal language used.  

The Plain English check has also been applied to our question papers. As a result, command words such as ‘identify’, ‘outline’, or ‘describe’ and ‘explain’ are no longer used.

Learners can now expect to see the following words:

  • When
  • Which 
  • Who
  • What
  • Why
  • How
  • Give

By using common ‘everyday’ language we believe that learners and tutors will be able to understand and relate to the questions and expected answers. 

What’s more, it will be easier for NEBOSH Examiners to mark – marking schemes are simpler and if answers are technically correct (and within the context of the question) then marks can be awarded. However, learners are still be expected to give depth and breadth to their answers where applicable.

 


2020-03-13