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STEP Support Programme

STEP 3 Matrices

Introduction

Matrices are a new addition to the 2019 STEP specification for papers 2 and 3. This module introduces you to the matrices topics included in the STEP 3 specification.
This STEP 3 module consists of some matrices questions from a range of sources, some topic notes and useful formulae, a "hints" document and a "solutions" document.

These questions are challenging, so don't worry if you get stuck. These STEP 3 modules assume that you have already begun to develop your problem-solving skills and approach to STEP questions by working on the Foundation modules and the STEP 2 modules.

About this assignment

There are a few (old!) Matrix STEP questions, which you can find on the STEP database.

Since there are very few STEP questions on matrices, the assignment here is a collection of old exam questions from a range of sources which have "STEP-like" qualities. Some will be shorter and easier than STEP questions, others longer and harder. They appear in chronological order rather than order of difficulty, so do not expect the earlier questions to be easier than the later ones.

Assignment PDF: 

Useful Links

Underground Mathematics: Selected worked STEP questions

STEP Question database

University of Cambridge Mathematics Faculty: What do we look for?

University of Cambridge Mathematics Faculty: Information about STEP

University of Cambridge Admissions Office: Undergraduate course information for Mathematics

Stephen Siklos' "Advanced Problems in Mathematics" book (external link)

MEI: Worked solutions to STEP questions (external link)

OCR: Exam board information about STEP (external link)

AMSP (Advanced Maths Support programme): Support for University Admission Tests (external link)