I'm thinkling of taking either an AEA or STEP paper in mathematics, to boost my chance of getting into imperial. I was wondering of the differences between the 2: i.e which is harder?, better etc.
You can take them whenever, but it's inadvisable to try doing the papers with not enough maths knowledge. I've completed C1-4 + FP1 and I'm having no knowledge-base trouble with STEP I and II, I don't think I've used FP1 yet either.....
STEP is also harder, AEA is aimed at the top 10% of maths A2 candidates, STEP at the top 3%.
I was talking about Maths specifically. It's virtually impossible to do Maths AEA without C3 and C4.
Oh, I'm sure it is, just wanted to clarify that it's not actually a formal prerequisite for sitting the exam. If the OP has covered the material, and their teacher was happy for them to sit it, they could in theory do it. Unlikely, but you know, just in case.
Oh, I'm sure it is, just wanted to clarify that it's not actually a formal prerequisite for sitting the exam. If the OP has covered the material, and their teacher was happy for them to sit it, they could in theory do it.
Yes, that's possible. I'll sort of be doing that this year - I'm finishing C1 and C2 in January, then C3 and C4 in June. Then AEA on the 24th of June.
Isn't STEP more expensive than the AEA? Well actually, I have no idea how much it is to sit an AEA... just that STEP is close to £40 a unit! I would really like to do STEP but I can't finance it- that's why I am doing the AEA, since my school will pay for that.
Isn't STEP more expensive than the AEA? Well actually, I have no idea how much it is to sit an AEA... just that STEP is close to £40 a unit! I would really like to do STEP but I can't finance it- that's why I am doing the AEA, since my school will pay for that.
Especially if you apply to Warwick (who (almost) require it), I reckon you'd have a very good chance of persuading them to pay for it. You could probably still make a decent argument w.r.t. Imperial as well I think.
I don't like the general idea that STEP is aimed at the top 3%, i think it puts more people off than it attracts, i did fairly decently at STEP and i didn't even get an A* in GCSE Maths so i'm certainly not in top 3%. I would say though i developed much more interest in Maths after GCSE. I would say you must have a solid interest in Maths if you want to have a go , but you probably do since your thinking of taking AEA/STEP early. In saying that STEP is extremley difficult to do well in if your havent confindently finished the material for C3/C4 i'm not too sure about AEA though as i never took it. Good Luck.
Definitely go for AEA if you go for either one. But beware that you'll have to declare whatever grade you get on your UCAS application form - even if it's a U (I've checked this with my teachers, exams officer and UCAS).
Definitely go for AEA if you go for either one. But beware that you'll have to declare whatever grade you get on your UCAS application form - even if it's a U (I've checked this with my teachers, exams officer and UCAS).
Not STEP, it's an admissions test, it's not certified; you can pretend it never happened.
Especially if you apply to Warwick (who (almost) require it), I reckon you'd have a very good chance of persuading them to pay for it. You could probably still make a decent argument w.r.t. Imperial as well I think.
But my school know it's one OR the other, and since they have had bad results with STEP in the past, they don't seem willing to listen to my pleas. I will try again, of course- perhaps I will suggest I pay for the AEA and they for STEP. But if I am only allowed to take the one STEP paper, which one would you suggest? I realise not STEP I, since it is usually for those not doing further maths, but is STEP II a safer bet or should I risk it and go for STEP III?
And thanks for that Krush, does that mean the AAAA offer has been abolished?
University course discussion for mathematics. Use the Maths Study Help forum for help with maths questions.
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STEP or AEA
