STEP

The test

STEP 2 and STEP 3 (STEP 1 was discontinued in 2020). Each paper is three hours with 12 questions — 8 pure, 2 mechanics, 2 statistics and probability. You attempt what you like; only your best six count. Each question is out of 20, so 120 is a full paper. Grades are S, 1, 2, 3 and U.

STEP 2 assumes A-Level Maths plus AS Further Maths. STEP 3 assumes a full Further Maths A-Level.

It’s the standard conditional for Cambridge mathematics, and Warwick makes STEP-based offers too. A number of other departments recommend it or will take a good grade into account — check what your own offer actually asks for, since this varies by course and by year.

Why STEP is different

A-Level questions tell you what to do in the wording. STEP questions don’t. A single question runs for thirty or forty minutes, in several parts, where part (i) is usually a special case that shows you the idea you’ll need in part (ii).

That structure is the whole game. Once you learn to read part (i) as a hint rather than as a warm-up, STEP stops feeling arbitrary.

What we work on

• Question selection — the single biggest source of lost marks. Ten minutes spent choosing well at the start beats an hour spent on the wrong question.
• Starting when you’re stuck — try small cases, sketch it, name the thing you want, work backwards from the answer. Being stuck is the normal state in STEP; having a routine for it is what separates grades.
• Writing it up — STEP is marked generously for a correct, complete argument and harshly for a correct answer with gaps. We work on saying why each step follows.
• Stamina — three hours of sustained concentration is a trained skill. Full papers under real conditions, regularly, from early on.

How preparation usually runs

STEP rewards a long run-up. Ideally you start in Year 12 or the summer before Year 13, working through the Support Programme. Sessions are mostly led by the student, however if structured practice is required we can discuss that as well.