STEP / AEA Revision Thread (i.e. useful tips and tricks)

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Reply 280

Kolya

This seems like an appropriate thread for me to wish good luck to those taking the AEA and/or STEP this year. :smile:

Reply 281

Steffiewoo

I haven't read through the whole thread yet (will get to it) but I think its just generally a good idea to commit to memory some of the formulae we take for granted to be on the formula sheet, could be useful. Something to do with series will probably come up and not knowing the formula for that could be pretty bad.

Reply 282

Zhen Lin

A formula that I found quite useful for STEP III 2006, Q3 - multiplication of series:

Spoiler

Reply 283

Square

Sorry, but how did you use that for this question?

I did this question last night and didnt find it too hard.

Reply 284

Zhen Lin

You had to square an infinite series, no?

Reply 285

DFranklin

I don't think you ever needed more than the first 2 or 3 terms, though.

If you ask me for the coefficient of x^3 in sin^2 x, I'm just going to consider (x-x^3/6)^2, not bother about the format of the general term.

So any tips for AEA?

BingBangBong

So any tips for AEA?

Be glad it's easier than STEP III?

Aside from make sure you relax the day before, and have done enough work (it's almost too late now though). It's quite important you're good at every topic (last year there was a nasty vectors question at the end that hit alot of people), so if there's one area you're weaker on, that would be a good thing to revise.

Reply 288

Chaoslord

when is the exams guys?

am or pm?

Reply 289

01perryd

Do we get a copy of the formula book in these exams

Reply 290

pyrolol

You will be given the OCR formula book (with a shiny new cover) for the STEP exams. AEA uses Edexcel if I remember right.

Edit: STEP III is tomorrow pm, II Wed am.

Reply 291

Essex_B

I don't think you get a formula book or calculator for AEA?

Reply 292

Swayum

You get a formula booklet (Edexcel) but no calculator.

Reply 293

seanw

Need all AEA papers for an intense 2 day preparation session.

Rep given :ninja:

Reply 294

Eureka

I have all the past papers:

And the mark schemes:

AEA2002sol.doc196.1KB

AEA2003sol.pdf137.8KB

AEA2004sol.doc271.9KB

AEA2005sol.pdf143.4KB

AEA2006sol.pdf329.6KB

Reply 296

Eureka

(Sorry for the triple post, but I only seem to be able to attach five things to one post)

There's also a spec paper on the Edexcel website.

And the 2007 paper + mark scheme:

AEA2007sol.doc373.2KB

AEA2007.doc134.1KB

Reply 297

SimonM

insparato

Yep that can be done.

Was this ever done? The only wiki page I could find was blank so I updated it,

See here:

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/STEP_Tips_and_Tricks

Reply 298

Horizontal 8

I haven't been taught further maths or the entire a-level maths formally yet so I don't know if anything similar is on the syllabus but here's a nice little integration trick:

Find I such that