“Suggest” — what the examiner wants
How to answer a Cambridge Computer Science question that starts with Suggest (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 17 current-syllabus past-paper questions.
Cambridge's definition
“apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses in order to make proposals / put forward considerations”
What earns full marks
There is more than one right answer. Propose something sensible for the scenario given and, if asked, say why it fits.
What loses the mark
Suggesting something generic that ignores the scenario ("use a sensor" when the question needs a specific sensor for a greenhouse).
A question that uses it
Suggest two sensors the greenhouse system could use, giving a reason for each.
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.
17
questions
17
parts open with it
2
median marks a part
By paper
- 2210 / 0478 Paper 12 of 210 questions · 1%
- 2210 / 0478 Paper 25 of 262 questions · 2%
- 9618 Paper 210 of 251 questions · 4%
Typical marks per part: 2 marks (41%), 4 marks (24%), 1 mark (18%), 3 marks (18%).
Topics where “Suggest” 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 “Suggest”, 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.