If you take your English Abitur in Berlin or Brandenburg in 2027, the task instructions in your exam follow a new official list. Three operators have been cut. Several definitions are stricter. Here is what that means for you.
What operators do
Operators are the signal verbs in every exam task: analyze, summarize, comment, discuss. They tell you exactly which performance the examiner expects. If you summarize where the task says analyze, you lose marks for content — even with perfect English.
The three operators that were cut
From the 2027 exam year, the shared Abitur task pool of the German states uses a revised operator list from the IQB, dated 29 January 2025. Three operators no longer appear:
- interpret — the new example tasks use comment on instead, for example: “Comment on the message of the cartoon …”
- illustrate — cut completely
- give/write a characterization of — character analysis now uses analyze, for example: “Analyze the way the protagonist is characterized”
The definitions that got stricter
Two changes matter most:
- Analyze and compare now require evidence plus language. You must give evidence from the text and relate the content to language and form. A content-only answer no longer fully meets the task.
- Comment now mentions counterarguments. The new definition says you can consider counterarguments. You don’t have to: Brandenburg’s guidance says a well-argued one-sided comment is fine. But one counterargument that you then answer makes your position stronger. For discuss and assess, the other side is always expected.
One useful habit: underline the operator before you read the text. Then write one sentence that answers the operator directly before you start the full answer.
Sources: IQB, Grundstock von Operatoren, valid from the 2027 exam year (29.01.2025), and the 2019 version; Fachbrief Englisch Nr. 9, Brandenburg (August 2025).
Practise with the new list
Pick one operator you are unsure about. Read its definition and example task on Operatoren im Englisch-Abitur ab 2027. Then use it in a practice pack for your current topic: Abitur Englisch 2027. The 16 packs are free, need no sign-up and give instant feedback.