Mathematics STEP Dr Chris Warner College Teaching Officer

Mathematics STEP Dr Chris Warner College Teaching Officer Director of Studies in Mathematics Educational Consultant Robinson College

Why STEP? • • • Reveals greater depth of understanding Measures ability to think “outside the box” Tests lateral thinking Tests ability to apply knowledge A level is not (we believe) a good (enough) preparation for mathematics in top universities Robinson College

STEP resources • Cambridge Assessment’s Admissions Testing Service web site: − http: //www. admissionstestingservice. org/for-testtakers/step/about-step/ • Open. Book publishers web site: − Advanced Problems in Mathematics: Preparing for University http: //www. openbookpublishers. com/product/342/advanced -problems-in-mathematics--preparing-for-university ‒ purchasable book and downloadable PDF by Stephen Siklos ‒ hints and full solutions ‒ a good starting point for preparation Robinson College

STEP resources • Mathematics Department web site: ‒ NRICH: STEP preparation archive https: //nrich. maths. org/10622 ‒ Meikleriggs Mathematics http: //meikleriggs. org. uk/ ‒ complete solutions to STEP papers (latest 2010) ‒ STEP support programme: Online course to help prepare for STEP https: //maths. org/step/ Robinson College

STEP administration • Administered by Cambridge Assessment ‒ ‒ STEP = “Sixth Term Examination Paper” well-established Mathematics university admissions test managed by a specialist team whose remit is assessments relating specifically to university entrance dedicated website: http: //www. admissionstestingservice. org/for-test-takers/step/about -step/ Robinson College

STEP administration • Administered by Cambridge Assessment ‒ website provides information on ‒ method of entry ‒ Dates ‒ Syllabus ‒ downloadable past papers Robinson College

STEP specification • Test summary ‒ ‒ ‒ ‒ three papers candidates typically sit 2 papers pen and paper test 3 hours six questions from 13 no calculators taken in late June Robinson College

STEP papers and offers • Three STEP mathematics papers I, II, and III ‒ thirteen questions: ‒ 8 pure ‒ 3 mechanics ‒ 2 statistics and probability ‒ assessed on answers to at most 6 questions ‒ five grades (from highest to lowest) S, 1, 2, 3, and U Robinson College

STEP papers and offers • Cambridge offer usually includes grades in two papers ‒ not taking the full Further Mathematics A level or equivalent: Papers I and II; ‒ offer is usually 1, 1; sometimes 1, 2 ‒ taking Further Mathematics A-level or equivalent: Papers II and III ‒ offer is usually 1, 1 Robinson College

STEP papers and offers • Paper I ‒ ‒ ‒ syllabus based on single subject A level pure mathematics content slightly more than common core mechanics and probability and statistics sections equivalent to two or three A-level modules intended for candidates not taking Further Mathematics questions easier than paper II • Paper II ‒ ‒ same content as Paper I harder questions Robinson College

STEP papers and offers • Paper III ‒ ‒ syllabus based on further maths A level questions same level of difficulty as paper II Robinson College

Preparing for STEP • Can candidates prepare without help? – we make adjustments – arguably these may not go far enough – students need to be able to cope when they start – some “training” is essential – the Cambridge Mathematics Department runs an online STEP support programme – more likely to relax on STEP offers in August for candidates who have no input from their school Robinson College

Preparing for STEP • How teachers can help – STEP is aimed at the top few students so use as differentiated material – it can be hard to do this – … but it is not impossible, particularly for further mathematics groups – Remind students that training has a huge effect – as teachers would expect – so start early and practice regularly and frequently – perseverence is good preparation for University and life! Robinson College

Preparing for STEP • How teachers can help – reassure students that STEP is indeed “very hard” (as quite a few teachers have told me) – questions are hard compared to A level – there is a commonality of style – encourage students to try the online STEP support programme – reminder: this is aimed to “close the gap” for candidates who do not receive help in school; who are in schools with few applicants for Cambridge; who trigger social deprivation “flags” Robinson College

A STEP paper I question Robinson College

What skills are being tested? Robinson College

One possible solution Robinson College

One possible solution Robinson College

One possible solution Robinson College

One possible solution Robinson College