STEP

I only know the third book, and I very much like it, though it can be a bit dry. But anyway, STEP is based (almost) entirely on the A-level syllabus. Your standard A-level textbooks should be enough. STEP is a big jump from A-level, that can't be denied, but it's a gap best bridged by doing lots of practice. You may wish to note that there are several STEP threads going on currently in the Maths Exams forum here. :smile:

Reply 2

OP

Original post by generalebriety

I only know the third book, and I very much like it, though it can be a bit dry. But anyway, STEP is based (almost) entirely on the A-level syllabus. Your standard A-level textbooks should be enough. STEP is a big jump from A-level, that can't be denied, but it's a gap best bridged by doing lots of practice. You may wish to note that there are several STEP threads going on currently in the Maths Exams forum here. :smile:

Great, can you check whether the book has anything on proof and graph sketching, they are my main issues I need from the book.
And what do you mean when you say there are STEP threads going on ?
Thnx

Reply 3

Original post by MWM

Great, can you check whether the book has anything on proof and graph sketching, they are my main issues I need from the book.

I'm afraid I don't know - I don't have access to the book any more.

Original post by MWM

And what do you mean when you say there are STEP threads going on ?

In this forum there are current active STEP threads you can contribute to and old STEP threads you can use for reference. There's actually a ton of STEP help on TSR already and a reasonable community of people all taking STEP this year who will be willing to scratch your back if you scratch theirs.

Do you know about Dr. Siklos's booklets? Here's one; I believe there's another one and it costs money, or something, but it might be worth investing in. Siklos's website also has some handy stuff.

Reply 4

OP

bump

Reply 5

Original post by MWM

bump

Presumably you're hoping for someone to tell you about the book - it might be more useful for you to start a new thread with the name of the book in the title so that anyone who has the book knows to read your thread even if they're not taking STEP. :smile:

Reply 6

xy5

1

What level are you at? Have you cracked A level and want to move onto STEP?
The books listed IMO are not ideal if so. The last one is excellent but would be more suitable for someone starting A level rather than looking at STEP.
IMO you are better off with something like a really old A level Text book. This is excellent:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Course-Pure-Mathematics-Margaret-Gow/dp/0340052171/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326221929&sr=8-1

and very cheap second hand.

What is your level of study at the moment?

Reply 7

Dr A

Original post by MWM

I am going to be sitting STEP 1 OR 2 and need a book that will teach me the core maths.
I am aware that STEP is not a book based exam but still, I think I need to know the maths behind it before I can start with practice papers.
Could someone tell me which of the following three they prefer and why:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Introducing-Pure-Mathematics-Robert-Smedley/dp/0199148031/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1326128848&sr=8-8

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Pure-Mathematics-J-Sadler/dp/0199142432/ref=pd_sim_b_2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Core-Maths-Advanced-Level-3rd/dp/0748755098/ref=pd_sim_b_1

I am inclining towards the second link because it has a contents that I can see from Amazon and I can't do that for the third one. If anyone who has the two books or just the 3rd one can compare the contents I would highly appreciate it.

I think they are all great books but I would just like to know the best one that will give me a good understanding before I go onto STEP.

So you're not at the A-level level?

STEP is based on the core A-level syllabus with a few additions such as proof by induction and solving inequalities that are supposed to be hard.

I have attached the Siklos STEP booklet which will assist you. At the end, the specification for STEP is given.

Whatever you do, make sure you know everything from C1-C4 and the bits of the FP modules you need to (see the spec)

STEP questions require mathematical intuition. You need to be able to apply all the A-level stuff to unfamiliar questions.

(edited 12 years ago)

advpcm.pdf980.9KB

Reply 8

OP

Original post by xy5

What level are you at? Have you cracked A level and want to move onto STEP?
The books listed IMO are not ideal if so. The last one is excellent but would be more suitable for someone starting A level rather than looking at STEP.
IMO you are better off with something like a really old A level Text book. This is excellent:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Course-Pure-Mathematics-Margaret-Gow/dp/0340052171/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326221929&sr=8-1

and very cheap second hand.

What is your level of study at the moment?

I have done A level and got an A* and am currently self doing FM - But the way I did A level was very superficial and I don't have a good enough understanding of A level to tackle STEP yet. The book you have mentioned doesn't cover all the topics I need though, nothing on proof and vectors.
I need something which will cover the A level syllabus but in enough detail that it helps me out with STEP.
Thnx

Reply 9

DFranklin

18

Original post by generalebriety

Do you know about Dr. Siklos's booklets? Here's one; I believe there's another one and it costs money, or something, but it might be worth investing in. Siklos's website also has some handy stuff.

There are two booklets available for free on the STEP (Cambridge Assessment) website.

Direct links:

http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/digitalAssets/110501_Advanced_Problems_in_Mathematics.pdf

http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/digitalAssets/121170_Advanced_Problems_in_Core_Mathematics_-_Master.pdf

Reply 10

OP

Thnx, I am aware of those booklets but I am in need of a solid textbook which covers all the necessary topics and goes into deep detail.

Reply 11