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Learning & Development framework

Bloom's Taxonomy Explained: The Six Levels of Learning

Bloom's Taxonomy is the most widely used framework in education. It sorts learning into levels, from shallow recall to deep creation.

Bloom's Taxonomy, first published in 1956 and revised in 2001, is a way of describing how deeply someone knows something. The core idea is simple: understanding has levels, and good teaching is explicit about which level it is aiming for. You can read more background on the history of the taxonomy.

In one lineBloom's Taxonomy is a six-level ladder from Remember to Create that keeps learning objectives honest and testable.

The six levels, from lowest to highest

  1. RememberRecall facts and basic concepts. Verbs: list, name, define.
  2. UnderstandExplain ideas in your own words. Verbs: describe, summarize, classify.
  3. ApplyUse knowledge in a new situation. Verbs: use, demonstrate, solve.
  4. AnalyzeBreak information into parts and see relationships. Verbs: compare, differentiate, examine.
  5. EvaluateJudge, critique, and justify a decision. Verbs: assess, defend, rank.
  6. CreateProduce new or original work. Verbs: design, build, compose.

Why it matters for course design

The practical power of Bloom's Taxonomy is in writing learning objectives. "The learner will apply the discount rules" is testable and tells you what kind of assessment to build. "The learner will understand pricing" is vague and cannot be measured. Naming the level forces clarity.

Most traditional courses live in the bottom two or three levels. Practice, simulations, and real tasks are what move learners into Apply and above, which is why hands-on formats matter so much.

Key takeaways

  • Six levels: Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, Create.
  • Each level maps to specific, measurable verbs.
  • Use the levels to write objectives you can actually assess.
  • Higher levels need practice and application, not just content.

Frequently asked questions

What are the six levels of Bloom's Taxonomy?
In the revised order they are Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, and Create, moving from shallow recall to original creation.
What is the difference between the original and revised taxonomy?
The 1956 original used nouns such as Knowledge and Synthesis. The 2001 revision used action verbs, reordered the top levels, and placed Create at the summit.
How do I use Bloom's Taxonomy to write objectives?
Pick the level of mastery you want, choose a verb from that level, and write an objective the learner can demonstrate, such as apply, analyze, or create.

Related terms

Instructional designADDIEKirkpatrickCognitive load

Last reviewed 2026-08-10. Recourse publishes these guides to help learning, customer education, and change teams. Figures and product details are drawn from public sources and vendor materials and can change.