# Abitur 2027: three operators were cut from the English exam list

- Link: https://englishonline.training/2026/10/08/abitur-2027-english-operators-cut/
- Published: 2026-10-08T05:49:03+02:00
- Author: Shaun Trezise

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:

 1. **_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.
 2. **_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](https://www.iqb.hu-berlin.de/abitur/dokumente/englisch/);
[Fachbrief Englisch Nr. 9, Brandenburg (August 2025)](https://bildungsserver.berlin-brandenburg.de/fileadmin/bbb/unterricht/fachbriefe_brandenburg/Fremdsprachen/Fachbrief_Englisch_BB_09_.pdf)._

## 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](https://activities.englishonline.training/abitur-operatoren.html).
Then use it in a practice pack for your current topic: [Abitur Englisch 2027](https://activities.englishonline.training/abitur-englisch-2027.html).
The 16 packs are free, need no sign-up and give instant feedback.

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