A rate control lets someone give an item a score, often by choosing stars. It turns a feeling into a simple value that can be compared or counted. Think of giving a movie a score out of five: more filled stars mean a higher rating.
For example, a shop might ask a customer to rate a product after buying it. The control should make the scale clear—such as one to five stars—and show which value has been selected.
Use ratings when people can meaningfully judge the same thing. Add a short label or accessible name so someone who cannot see the star shapes can still understand the choice.