I find that it's mostly to know the relative command terms for each dot point (i.e. an 'assess' is different from an 'explain'), which in turn, directs you towards knowing exactly what you need to be able to do in each dotpoint for an exam. It also depends on which subjects you do- for example, in Legal, they might ask you something about the criminal trial process. If you don't specifically mention things within that part of the syllabus (say, talking about aspects under the criminal investigation process), you won't get the marks.
I guess it basically directs you towards knowing what they expect of you in exams.