“Evaluate” — what the examiner wants
How to answer a Cambridge Computer Science question that starts with Evaluate (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 12 current-syllabus past-paper questions.
Cambridge's definition
“judge or calculate the quality, importance, amount, or value of something”
What earns full marks
Weigh the strengths and weaknesses and finish with a judgement that follows from them. The conclusion is a marking point of its own.
What loses the mark
Listing pros and cons and stopping. Without a reasoned verdict the top mark is out of reach.
A question that uses it
Evaluate the use of biometrics as the only method of authentication for a school's network.
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.
12
questions
4
parts open with it
1
median marks a part
By paper
- 9618 Paper 24 of 251 questions · 2%
- 9618 Paper 38 of 353 questions · 2%
Typical marks per part: 1 mark (50%), 2 marks (25%), 4 marks (25%).
Topics where “Evaluate” 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 “Evaluate”, 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.