Action verbs map to DigComp difficulty levels

DigComp level descriptors use action verbs to show what a person can actually do, not just what they know. Each verb signals a specific difficulty tier. For example, 'recognise' means you can spot a concept but not apply it, while 'create' means you can produce something new. The jump from 'apply' to 'evaluate' marks a shift from doing to judging. If you see 'guide', that signals the highest level—you can lead others. Always map the verb to the level before picking an answer.

To avoid traps, sort verbs into three bands: foundation (recognise, recall), intermediate (apply, demonstrate), and advanced (evaluate, create, guide). A common trick is swapping 'evaluate' with 'analyse'—evaluate is about judging worth, analyse is about breaking down. Another hint: 'adapt' sits between apply and create; it means tweaking an existing solution, not inventing one. If a question pairs a low verb with a high context, the verb wins—context doesn't raise the level.

Test yourself by listing five verbs and ranking them from lowest to highest without looking. If you can't place 'adapt' or 'guide' correctly, review the JRC DigComp table. The core check: does the verb describe seeing, doing, judging, or leading? That sequence matches the four main bands. Memorise the verb ladder, and you decode any level question instantly.