“Discuss” — what the examiner wants
How to answer a Cambridge Computer Science question that starts with Discuss (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 1 current-syllabus past-paper questions.
Cambridge's definition
“write about issue(s) or topic(s) in depth in a structured way”
What earns full marks
A structured answer with more than one viewpoint: points for, points against, and a reasoned conclusion. Use paragraphs.
What loses the mark
One-sided answers, or bullet points with no development.
A question that uses it
Discuss the ethical issues raised by the use of AI to shortlist job applicants.
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.
1
questions
1
parts open with it
4
median marks a part
By paper
- 9618 Paper 11 of 270 questions · 0%
Typical marks per part: 4 marks (100%).
Topics where “Discuss” comes up most
Recent questions that use it
Open any one to read it and mark your answer against the official mark scheme.
| Question | Topic | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 9618/12 May/June 2026 Q6 | Hardware | 4 / 11 |
Marks shown as “a / b”: a = marks in parts that open with “Discuss”, 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.