⋆ For those taking STEP in 2014, here is the place to discuss, post problems, or ask any questions you may have regarding the exam!
⋆Download the STEP Megapack hereThis includes the following:
Past papers, solutions, exam reports 1987-2012
(download separately for years 1998-2012 here)Formula booklet
(download separately here)Stephen Siklos' booklets
(download separately here and here)Spreadsheet to print out and keep track of which questions you have done
(download separately here)See
here for a cross reference between the first Siklos booklet and the original STEP papers from which the questions are taken.
The University of Warwick has uploaded a few videos of worked out STEP questions
here, which you may find helpful.
The June 2013 papers can be found using the following link:
http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/our-services/subject-specific/step/preparing-for-step/⋆TSR has a solution bank of its own if you are interested:
1987 ·
1988 ·
1989 ·
1990 ·
19911992 ·
1993 ·
1994 ·
1995 ·
19961997 ·
1998 ·
1999 ·
2000 ·
20012002 ·
2003 ·
2004 ·
2005 ·
20062007 ·
2008 ·
2009 ·
2010 ·
20112012 I ·
2012 II ·
2012 III2013 (note: 2008 and 2010 are incomplete, and 2009 seems to be non-existant)Avoid recent papers & solutions at all costs (2010 - 2013)! You will need these as mocks in June 2014! For the moment, the links are there more for coherence than anything else.⋆FAQWhen should I start preparing?Start preparing
early (but be careful not to use up all the past papers too fast!).
Where do I start?S. Siklos' booklets are a good place to start
(link above). Once you feel more comfortable with the questions, you may
want to tackle STEP I papers. It is good to begin with papers that are not too old (the exam has somewhat changed since 1987)
but not too recent: I would say start around 2000.
Doing one question a day starting January/February and then moving on to full papers in April/May is a good plan.
Your aim should be approximately 45 minutes per question.
What if I get stuck?Don't worry if STEP seems difficult at first - it is
meant to be hard, and everyone is feeling the same. When you're stuck,
keep searching. This is crucial, because unless you're superhuman, you
will get stuck in the exam at
some point, and you will not have a hints & answers booklet by your side.
Get used to the idea of spending lots of time on a single question.
Will it get easier?Yes - but this doesn't mean it will get
easy. With practise, you will come to enjoy the problem solving,
and you will start recognising certain techniques/tricks which inevitably make the questions more accessible.
Also, it should be said that many questions seem very difficult from the outside, but turn out to be
easier than expected once you start writing things down.
Is it strategic to focus on pure only?No. Since preparation time isn't an issue, it is best to give yourself more choice
and work on all areas of STEP questions. You never know where a gift-question might lie.
Also, rumor has it that the applied questions tend to be
slightly easier than the pure ones.
Read the post below for more information (many thanks to shamika)⋆Required knowledgeLook here or the last pages of Siklos' bookletsSTEP I & II:C1-4 + M1-2 + S1-2 +
proof by inductionSTEP III:Above + FP1-3 + M3-5 + S3-4
The syllabus for III is very wide,
so the above is
roughly what the questions
can touch on.
Useful tricks (TSR thread) &
Graph sketching⋆MarkingSTEP grades: S (Outstanding), 1 (Very good), 2 (Good), 3 (Satisfactory), U (Unclassified)Mark-schemes are not published so it is difficult to say how STEP is marked. What we
do know:
Questions are marked out of 20, no bonus points - you should look at no more than
6 questions in the exam (total out of 120). Any correct answer will be awarded maximum marks.
No points are given for mathematical elegance. Most marks are method marks: according to DFranklin
small slip-ups will only cost you 1-2 points. Four good (not necessarily perfect) answers will generally
award you a 1.
The
Exam Reports (link above) are informative on marking too - take a look.
Grade boundaries for years 2000-2013 (previous years are not available):⋆Exam conditionsThe exam lasts 3 hours sharp. With the exam sheet, you will be given the
formula booklet (link above).
It is the same each year. Calculators have been banned since 1997.
You will have to write in black ink, and correction fluid is
not permitted.
Drafting paper
is allowed (ask your school to provide some if you want any), but generally it is advised to
write
most of your working down on the exam sheet - even if this means writing out multiplications.
⋆Standard (STEP) offersUniversity of Cambridge: 1,1 in STEP II, III
University of Warwick: 1 (if A*A* not ach.) or 2 in any paper
Imperial College London: 2 in STEP II or III (occasionally)
University College London: 1 (if A*A* not ach.)
University of Bath: 2 in any paper (occasionally)
⋆This year's exams take place as follows... STEP I - Friday 20th June 2014
STEP II - Thursday 26th June 2014
STEP III - Friday 27th June 2014
In the week before the exam...Read
this post.
(thank you shamika)⋆Good luck!