“Define” — what the examiner wants
How to answer a Cambridge Computer Science question that starts with Define (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 19 current-syllabus past-paper questions.
Cambridge's definition
“give precise meaning”
What earns full marks
The textbook definition, using the key words the mark scheme lists. Learn definitions from the glossary word for word.
What loses the mark
Using the word in its own definition ("encryption is when data is encrypted") or giving an example instead of a definition.
A question that uses it
Define the term abstraction.
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.
19
questions
23
parts open with it
2
median marks a part
By paper
- 2210 / 0478 Paper 14 of 210 questions · 2%
- 9618 Paper 15 of 270 questions · 2%
- 9618 Paper 21 of 251 questions · 0%
- 9618 Paper 39 of 353 questions · 3%
Typical marks per part: 1 mark (48%), 2 marks (22%), 3 marks (13%), 4 marks (13%).
Topics where “Define” 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 “Define”, 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.