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STEP Support Programme

STEP Support Modules Overview

The STEP Support Programme consists of three types of module:

The Foundation modules provide an introduction to problem solving through carefully selected STEP 1 and 2 questions. They also introduce mathematical ideas which you may not have been taught at school, and show how some of the formulae commonly used in A-levels are derived. Each assignment has a “Hints and partial solutions” document to help you evaluate your work.

If you are planning to take STEP 2 and 3 at the end of year 13, we recommend you start studying the Foundation modules in year 12.

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The STEP 2 modules focus on different areas of the STEP specifications. Each module consists of a selection of STEP 2 questions, together with hints and solutions. The modules also contain some topic notes which consists of useful formulae you should be aware of, together with some general hints and advice. These modules assume that you have already worked through most of the Foundation modules.

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The STEP 3 modules are very similar to the STEP 2 modules, except that they focus on STEP 3 questions, and are designed to be worked on after the Foundation and STEP 2 modules. Whilst anyone can do these modules if they so wish, if your university offer does not require you to sit STEP 3 we would recommend that you concentrate your efforts on the other modules.

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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)