Cambridge Offer Holders 2015 thread

Original post by physicsmaths

You do further maths i believe.
http://www.mathshelper.co.uk/STEP%20III%202007.pdf

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Pure on that paper is rather easy, but the applied questions are just scary

Reply 1781

Elcor

14

Original post by L'Evil Fish

We can all worry! Only yesterday I thought ****, I'm not even in Cambridge... Still actually need to get the grades

Has anyone got a step paper I can have a look at?

Look at the OP of my difficult problems thread to get all those resources

Original post by physicsmaths

Whats your offer? A*A*AA? Pembroke engineering right?

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Yeah well remembered, and A*A*A*A, but already have one A*.

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Reply 1782

username1162972

Original post by Elcor

Look at the OP of my difficult problems thread to get all those resources

Yeah well remembered, and A*A*A*A, but already have one A*.

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Yh i know a good friend of mine doing pembroke engineering currently first year. He went to my school.

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Reply 1783

username1162972

Original post by newblood

Pure on that paper is rather easy, but the applied questions are just scary

Yh one of the pure questions had very poor marks like an very low avaerage yet i did it in 10 minutes was shocking. It just looked scary.

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Reply 1784

L'Evil Fish

Says I can't open file...

On my new phone though, maybe I need something

Reply 1785

Original post by newblood

Christ's AT probably doesnt know, as it is rare for people to apply having done STEP, but it is not an official qualification so you don't need to declare STEP results if you don't want to. Pretty sure its mentioned somewhere on the STEP website, but ive heard it from countless people nonetheless.

I think I'd rather a student follows what an AT says, after all they are the people who ultimately adjudicate your application at Cambridge.

Also note here http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2128149&p=39636312#post39636312

Goodbloke (a 9 gem PS helper) says "You have to declare it, and to make a declaration that you have declared everything."

Reply 1786

Original post by jneill

I think I'd rather a student follows what an AT says, after all they are the people who ultimately adjudicate your application at Cambridge.

Also note here http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2128149&p=39636312#post39636312

Goodbloke (a 9 gem PS helper) says "You have to declare it, and to make a declaration that you have declared everything."

While these people are normally very reputable, unless theyre a maths expert it is reasonable for them not to wholly know about the workings of STEP. Have a look at the second page of that thread, there is a quote from the Cambridge Mathematics Department.

FarhanHanif is a 3rd year cambridge student:

"had similar questions to what you have right now back when I started sixth form. I decided to take STEP I and I achieved a grade 1 in the lower sixth. I was told directly that you do not have to declare any STEP results by the head admissions tutor for mathematics at Cambridge so don't worry too much about that."

He refers to Stephen Siklos, who until recently had everything to do with STEP

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1523197

Reply 1787

Elcor

14

Original post by physicsmaths

Yh i know a good friend of mine doing pembroke engineering currently first year. He went to my school.

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How's he finding it?

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Reply 1788

Original post by newblood

...FarhanHanif is a 3rd year cambridge student...

DFranklin is also a highly respected ex-Cambridge mathmo and he says:
I'm fairly sure I've seen admissions tutors (probably from Cambridge) saying along the lines of "don't take exams early if you're not going to do well in them".

Again, I'd recommend applicants should simply follow current Admissions Tutor's advice. i.e. declare all exam results.

Reply 1789

Original post by jneill

DFranklin is also a highly respected ex-Cambridge mathmo and he says:
I'm fairly sure I've seen admissions tutors (probably from Cambridge) saying along the lines of "don't take exams early if you're not going to do well in them".

Again, I'd recommend applicants should simply follow current Admissions Tutor's advice. i.e. declare all exam results.

That is perfectly good advice, and has nothing to do with declaring STEP results on UCAS?

Reply 1790

username1162972

Original post by Elcor

How's he finding it?

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I will ask him and get back to you.

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Reply 1791

Original post by jneill

DFranklin is also a highly respected ex-Cambridge mathmo and he says:
I'm fairly sure I've seen admissions tutors (probably from Cambridge) saying along the lines of "don't take exams early if you're not going to do well in them".

Again, I'd recommend applicants should simply follow current Admissions Tutor's advice. i.e. declare all exam results.

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2123614

Dirac Spinor another cambridge maths gapyear applicant, who didnt put his previous step grades down.

And UCAS is rthe most official source, so here is a Q&A:

Q)So if we don't do so well on the STEP paper, for example, then we can request that the results be removed from our UCAS form? And Cambridge (the writers of the exam) cannot access the mark at all?

A) That's right (UCAS official fb page)

https://www.facebook.com/ucasonline/posts/584937884872662

Reply 1792

Original post by newblood

That is perfectly good advice, and has nothing to do with declaring STEP results on UCAS?

It's clear to me the AT's response to being asked about STEP is saying yes applicants need to declare all STEP results.

And that's what Goodbloke and DFranklin are saying too.

But sure, if you're the expert why not pop over to the Christ's thread and debate it with him.

Reply 1793

We have found conflicting information from the Cambridge Faculty of Mathematics Information Guide (which says we don't have to declare it), and a Churchill College admissions tutor (who says that Cambridge/Warwick will not look kindly on people who took the exams early and failed).

As you can see there is much misinformation, as not many people outside of Maths understand STEP. But considering the Cambridge maths faculty write STEP, I would go with them. It is an entrance exam, not a qualification...just like you wouldnt be expected to input your MAT grade for Oxford if you had done that beforehand.

Reply 1794

Original post by newblood

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2123614

Dirac Spinor another cambridge maths gapyear applicant, who didnt put his previous step grades down.

And UCAS is rthe most official source, so here is a Q&A:

Q)So if we don't do so well on the STEP paper, for example, then we can request that the results be removed from our UCAS form? And Cambridge (the writers of the exam) cannot access the mark at all?

A) That's right (UCAS official fb page)

https://www.facebook.com/ucasonline/posts/584937884872662

That FB thread also says:
"UCAS Hi Tom. We would recommend that all qualifications are declared. If the applicant doesn't end up taking the qualification then they just need to e-mail [email protected] and let them know to remove it from the application form.

Sean"

Reply 1795

Original post by Vesniep

STEP1,2 are much easier than STEP3(I wanted to sit STEP3 as well, but maybe I will get 1 or 2...these are my grades most of the time).But if shamika is right, I should definetely sit STEP3 too!(right?)So about STEP1 it is not required so you only sit this for practicing, and an S/1 in STEP2 will guarantee you a place even in Trinity???That would awesome!
I have seen Trinity tests and they are quiet easier and smaller than STEP's questions.So why Trinity is considered so difficult for Maths? What qualification should you have for Trinity that other colleges don't require?As far as I am concerned, all colleges have the same difficulty,am I wrong?

Mate, unfortunately as you can see there is much misinformation about declaring STEP results. I assure you you do not need to, i have shown some examples of successful cambridge applicants in the past who have not done so...just email the Cambridge Maths department and it will all be cleared up for you :smile:

Reply 1796

Original post by jneill

That FB thread also says:
"UCAS Hi Tom. We would recommend that all qualifications are declared. If the applicant doesn't end up taking the qualification then they just need to e-mail [email protected] and let them know to remove it from the application form.

Sean"

The point is, STEP is not a qualification, it is an entrance exam. That is precisely why you dont need to declare it and why in the followup question...specifically mentioning STEP, UCAS confirmed you dont need to.

Reply 1797

Original post by newblood

The point is, STEP is not a qualification, it is an entrance exam. That is precisely why you dont need to declare it and why in the followup question...specifically mentioning STEP, UCAS confirmed you dont need to.

So admissions tutors at Christ's and Churchill are wrong... :rolleyes:

Reply 1798

Original post by jneill

So admissions tutors at Christ's and Churchill are wrong... :rolleyes:

In this case yes I believe they are incorrect. STEP is very unique and not everyone knows an awful lot about it so it is not surprising that the rules are clear to everyone.

Reply 1799