Submitted by stens on Sun, 04/30/2017 - 16:13
Forums:
Hi!
Since I have never taken a STEP test before, I am wondering how much we are supposed to write on our answer sheets, and in how great detail we have to go. Are the official solutions representative of what we students should write?
And is this the formula booklet we will be given/allowed to use?
Yes to your second question,
Yes to your second question, that is the formula booklet you'll be given.
Official solutions can either be under-detailed or over-detailed. In the most cases, the solutions are under-detailed. Look at STEP I 2011 markscheme on the ATS website if you want to see how marks are allocated and how much you're required to write. That said, it's usually common sense that tells you what's enough detail and what isn't.
Also...
Don't expect your solutions to look as neat as those in the mark schemes. You will probably go down wrong alleys, make mistakes etc. Cross out work you don't want to be marked NEATLY (so that if you change your mind you can write a note to the examiner asking them to mark the crossed out work and if a neat line has been put through it they can read it)!
"Bits"
Often you will stop working on a question and then come back to it later. Laving a blank page (or two) is not a bad idea (head then "Question 1" or whatever). Markers are very used to questions being split up (A bit of question 1, question 2, a bit of question 3 then a bit more question 1 etc). It is helpful if you can write "Continued later in booklet" or "Continued on page 5" etc - BUT only if you have actually continued it!!
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!