Submitted by Heirio on Sun, 07/23/2017 - 14:21
Forums:
I have used the hints and answers quite a bit, mostly for the actual STEP questions, once for the warm down as well.
One time I had to look up some stuff for the warm up, but this was me not knowing the standard trig things off by heart, which I admittedly should.
After using the hints, I try to understand why the answers are what they are. My thread of assignment two shows that. Moreover, if I have a lot of trouble on one assignment, I plan to finish the foundation course and then go back to do that assignment again, so I know I can do it.
Is this a good plan?
Is using hints in this way undermining my preparation for STEP in any way?
I would advise trying for
I would advise trying for some time, perhaps even a few days if you can spare the time (but at least a couple of hours), before going to the hints. You learn a lot more from struggling yourself with something then resorting to help so early on. It does take a lot of self discipline but it's so much more rewarding and useful later on if you go on to study mathematics at university.
I'm not sure how helpful it is to reattempt an assignment you have already done/seen a solution for but looking over it won't do any harm.
Hints
My opinion is that it is far better to use the hints to help you complete a solution to a STEP question rather than never managing to solve it at all! (The best possible outcome is to manage to complete all STEP questions never having to look at hints and solutions, but you are currently at a very early stage of preparation, and there are very very (very!) few people who can manage this at this stage).
Always have a go at the question before using the hints, and if you can take a break can come back to it this is great. When using the hints, don't just read them (your post does suggest that you are doing more than this - but for the benefit of others reading this I will make this clear) but use them to help you complete the solution. If you are still having trouble getting the solution out, then please use the forums (as you have done - again for the benefit of others!)
I also like the idea of going back and redoing questions that you found difficult initially. Perhaps it's me getting old, but I find that if I leave a question a few months I cannot remember how I did it the first time.