Quick answer
Bloom’s taxonomy is a framework that sorts learning objectives by the kind of thinking they require. The revised version, published in 2001, has six levels: remember, understand, apply, analyse, evaluate, and create. Teachers use it to write clear learning objectives, ask questions at different levels, and balance tests so they do not only check memory.
- First published by Benjamin Bloom and colleagues in 1956.
- Revised in 2001 by Anderson and Krathwohl, using verbs.
- Six levels, from remembering to creating.
- Useful for objectives, questions, and test design.
What are the six levels of Bloom’s taxonomy?
| Level | What students do | Example verbs |
|---|---|---|
| Remember | Recall facts and basic ideas | list, name, define, recall |
| Understand | Explain ideas in their own words | explain, summarise, classify, compare |
| Apply | Use knowledge in a new situation | solve, use, calculate, demonstrate |
| Analyse | Break information into parts and see relationships | distinguish, examine, organise, infer |
| Evaluate | Judge using criteria | justify, critique, assess, argue |
| Create | Put ideas together into something new | design, compose, plan, construct |
What does Bloom’s taxonomy look like for one topic?
Take the water cycle in Class 6 science:
- Remember: name the stages of the water cycle.
- Understand: explain why clouds form.
- Apply: predict what happens to a puddle on a hot day.
- Analyse: compare the water cycle in a desert and a rainforest.
- Evaluate: judge which water-saving idea would help your school most.
- Create: design a poster or model that teaches the water cycle to Class 3.
How do you write learning objectives with Bloom’s taxonomy?
- Choose the level. Decide what kind of thinking the lesson should build.
- Pick a verb. Use a measurable verb from that level, such as explain or design.
- Add the content. State what students will explain or design.
- Add a condition. Say how they will show it, for example using a diagram.
Example: Students will be able to explain, using a labelled diagram, how clouds form. See how to write a lesson plan.
How does Bloom’s taxonomy help in test design?
A question paper blueprint can show how many marks go to each level. Papers that test only remembering do not show whether students can apply or analyse. CBSE has been increasing the share of competency-focused questions that ask students to apply and analyse. See question paper design.
What are common mistakes with Bloom’s taxonomy?
- Treating it as a strict ladder; students can create without mastering every lower level first.
- Using vague verbs like know or learn in objectives.
- Labelling a question by its verb only; what students actually have to do matters more.
- Skipping lower levels; students need knowledge to think critically.
Can schools tag questions by Bloom’s level?
Yes. Tagging quiz and exam questions by level and learning outcome lets teachers see whether students struggle with recall or with application. Quizzes and grade management in the Hudace SchoolOS LMS keep these results with other assessment data.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bloom’s taxonomy?
A framework that classifies learning objectives by the kind of thinking they require, from remembering to creating.
What are the six levels of Bloom’s taxonomy?
Remember, understand, apply, analyse, evaluate, and create.
Who created Bloom’s taxonomy?
Benjamin Bloom and colleagues in 1956. Anderson and Krathwohl revised it in 2001.
What is the highest level of Bloom’s taxonomy?
Create, in the revised version.
What are higher order thinking skills?
Usually analyse, evaluate, and create.
How is Bloom’s taxonomy used in lesson plans?
To write measurable objectives and plan questions at several levels.
Is Bloom’s taxonomy still used?
Yes. It is widely used in teacher education, curriculum design, and exam blueprints.