“Compare” — what the examiner wants
How to answer a Cambridge Computer Science question that starts with Compare (2210, 0478 & 9618): Cambridge's definition, what a full-mark answer contains, the mistake that loses the mark, and how often the word has come up in 10 current-syllabus past-paper questions.
Cambridge's definition
“identify / comment on similarities and/or differences”
What earns full marks
Each point must mention both things: "A does X whereas B does Y". Cover similarities and differences unless the question limits you to one.
What loses the mark
Describing A in one paragraph and B in another leaves the examiner to make the comparison — no marks for points that name only one side.
A question that uses it
Compare serial and parallel data transmission.
In real past papers
Current-syllabus questions only (2210 / 0478 from 2023, 9618 from 2021); a question set under both 2210 and 0478 counts once.
10
questions
7
parts open with it
4
median marks a part
By paper
- 9618 Paper 14 of 270 questions · 1%
- 9618 Paper 36 of 353 questions · 2%
Typical marks per part: 4 marks (57%), 2 marks (29%), 3 marks (14%).
Topics where “Compare” comes up most
Recent questions that use it
Open any one to read it and mark your answer against the official mark scheme.
Marks shown as “a / b”: a = marks in parts that open with “Compare”, b = the whole question.
Don't confuse it with
The definition follows the command-word table in the Cambridge syllabus; the guidance is ZAK's. Statistics come from the real past-paper question bank (command words are read from each question's wording). Command words and past papers are © Cambridge Assessment International Education.