Getting to Cambridge: STEP by STEP!

It's not like there is 0 degree of mathematical ability involved...at least, when considering reasonable timescales/workloads. Perhaps most people could get an S eventually, and with enough work, but having ability dramatically reduces the amount of practice required. But I do agree that practice is a big part of STEP and to pretend otherwise is silly. Also most people who are in a position of needing STEP will doubtless have the ability anyway.

Yes, I somewhat agree with what you are saying. However, by "natural mathematical ability" I am referring to what Duke Glacia initially commented on. He stated that Zacken was able to get a grade S because of his "good genes" which I completely disagree. It is true that some people may be born with better problem-solving abilities than others, but that is not significant enough to count on Zacken's mathematical success. He loves mathematics, and this passion is what led him to his success; not just because he was born with a 'problem-solving brain'.

Also, most people do STEP because they love mathematics, so that also links with your point that most people who do STEP already have a a mathematical ability.


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chill, i know its his hard work and interest that has driven him this far. And the same applies to most of us writing STEP.

He got a Grade 2 on the STEP I exam last year. I am not trying to belittle him but I am starting to become annoyed with people thinking that intelligence is fixed or that you can't get better in STEP by just practicing questions. I was actually privately messaged by an aspiring Mathmo who told me that he is 'scared' of STEP because some people on the STEP prep thread have been saying that STEP requires natural mathematical ability to get a high grade on it. This is a bit out of context, we discussed other stuff, but he really wasn't sure if he could get a Grade 1 when he currently gets 'scared' by STEP questions; he is applying next year. So I had to direct him to the main post of STEP prep thread, where shamika readily discusses this issue that many people have, mainly that some kind of 'genius' is required to be good at STEP.


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I am just trying not to make this thread a "Zacken circle jerking" thread but continue with it being a "Zacken's road to Cambridge" thread.

The same applies to Cambridge Offer-Holder's thread. There is no need to circle jerk ourselves for being able to get a Cambridge offer.


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I really hope you know I wasn't being serious when I said "he prob could [get an S as a toddler]"...

I really hope you know I wasn't being serious when I said "he prob could [get an S as a toddler]"...

Of course I know . I was just saying stuff that had to be said no matter if you were being serious or not.

Also, when I asked Duke Glacia that question, I was referring to how some people think that intelligence is fixed, and so by replying in that way, you supported that point.



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Also refers to a pompous, self-congratulatory discussion where little to no progress is made.

is this what ur talking abt. No one said they arent making progress. Even u and Zacken and everone is making progress.

No one is circle-jerkin m8

but to me y'all are inspiration.

No - if it was a joke (which it was), then it doesn't mean I think intelligence is fixed. There's a difference between aptitude and intelligence and I acknowledge that.

chill, i know its his hard work and interest that has driven him this far. And the same applies to most of us writing STEP.

No, no. I am referring to a thread where people go to so they feel better about themselves, I can't really explain it to be honest. For example, if the Offer-Holders thread was a circle jerk, we would all go there to talk about how elite Cambridge is and how 'intelligent' we are. Now, I am not saying Zacken's thread or Cambridge OH thread are like that, but I am just trying not to make people think they are. Like I gave the example of the person who contacted me about STEP.


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I really hope you know I wasn't being serious when I said "he prob could [get an S as a toddler]"...

agreed. TSR is there to help. Tbh i was also got scared initially by how everyone could solve STEP 3(while i was struggling to get started),

Everybody chill out and go try this.

TSR is very bad for the psyche. Irl, a lot of people consider me smart. And I come on here and people 3 years my junior are solving problems with alien symbols. Even the stuff with things I recognise like Indeterminate's integrals are inaccessible and it makes me feel rubbish.

STEP III, 2006:

Time: 3 hours
Mark: 107/120

Got this one marked by somebody else:



Not bad. STEP II 2007 soon.

You mean he didn't?

TSR is very bad for the psyche. Irl, a lot of people consider me smart. And I come on here and people 3 years my junior are solving problems with alien symbols. Even the stuff with things I recognise like Indeterminate's integrals are inaccessible and it makes me feel rubbish.

Zain did his first STEP question when I was learning C1...............