About Me
"Success in mathematics comes down to mindset, structure and consistent effort. With the right guidance, exceptional results are achievable. My role is to bring clarity and focus to your learning — building confidence, deepening understanding and sharpening problem-solving skills through a structured, supportive approach."
Expert Online STEP Tutor and TMUA Tutor
Nicole Taylor - BA (Hons) Cantab (University of Cambridge)
Since 2019, I have specialised in online tuition for university entrance exams such as STEP and TMUA, as well as A Level Maths and Further Maths. Alongside this, I provide support with UCAS applications and university interview preparation, ensuring students are fully prepared not only for the exams themselves, but for every stage of the admissions process.
My commitment to tutoring began during my time at Cambridge, where I was involved in outreach programmes and mentoring initiatives. Wanting to help students develop their mathematical understanding and confidence led me to create NextStepMaths.com — a platform dedicated to help students succeed in admissions tests and A Levels.
My aim is to ensure students feel confident, capable and thoroughly prepared to tackle even the most demanding mathematical challenges.
Qualifications:
2019 - 2022
Graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA (Hons) in Mathematics, achieving a 2.1.
2017 - 2019
Four A*'s at A Level — in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
Grade 1 in both STEP 2 and STEP 3, and 8.4 overall in TMUA (9 in Paper 1).
Awarded the Salters’ Advanced Chemistry Award for achieving one of the highest marks nationally in A Level Chemistry
2012-2017
Achieved all A*'s and 9's at GCSE.
My Tutoring Experience
- Specialist STEP Tutor and TMUA Tutor with over seven years of experience in admissions test preparation
- Cambridge Mathematics graduate (BA Hons, 2.1) with top grades in STEP (1, 1) and TMUA (8.4)
- Former STEP 2 & STEP 3 marker with direct insight into examiner expectations and full-mark technique
- Provided structured Mathematics Interview Preparation and UCAS support to hundreds of UK and international students applying to highly competitive university courses
- 100% positive feedback and a strong track record of students achieving outstanding results and competitive offers
- Proven academic excellence: 4 A*s at A Level, Salters’ Advanced Chemistry Award, and near-perfect Further Maths exam scores
Expert STEP Tutor and TMUA Tutor
For over 7 years, I have worked as a specialist STEP tutor and TMUA tutor, providing expert online tuition for A Level Maths, Further Maths and university entrance examinations, alongside tailored interview preparation for competitive mathematical and scientific degree courses. Over this time, I have refined a highly structured and interactive teaching approach, using digital tools to ensure each session is focused, engaging and as effective as in-person tuition. I have also developed an extensive library of high-quality preparation resources — many freely available on NextStepMaths.com — including comprehensive preparation guides, structured practice materials and detailed solutions designed specifically for STEP and TMUA success.
STEP Marker
In 2022, I marked STEP 2 and STEP 3, gaining valuable examiner insight that now directly informs my work as a STEP tutor. Understanding precisely how marks are awarded, the most common errors candidates make and what differentiates top-grade scripts enables me to train students not only to solve demanding problems, but to communicate clear, concise and rigorous mathematical reasoning — a crucial skill in both STEP and interview preparation.
University Of Cambridge Outreach & Admissions Mentoring
Alongside my work as a TMUA tutor and STEP tutor, I contributed to University of Cambridge outreach initiatives, working with students through the Murray Edwards College STEP Summer School and serving as a Mathematics Gateway Adviser. In these roles, I provided academic mentoring and structured guidance to mathematics students, supporting both advanced problem-solving development and the transition to university-level study.
I was also appointed as an Access Mentor with Slipstream (formerly Project Access), where I advised prospective applicants and offer-holders from state schools and underrepresented backgrounds on personal statements, mock interviews and STEP preparation. This work provided valuable insight into the admissions process from within the Cambridge system, allowing me to offer informed, strategic guidance to students applying to highly competitive courses.
In university admissions tests, I achieved:
STEP 2: Grade 1
STEP 3: Grade 1
TMUA: 8.4 overall (including 9 in Paper 1)
In my first three Further Maths exam papers, I scored 75/75, 74/75 and 74/75 — giving me first-hand experience of what examiners expect at the highest level.
Academic Background
I graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA (Hons) in Mathematics (2.1). At A Level, I achieved four A* grades (Mathematics 283/300, Further Mathematics 288/300, Chemistry and Physics), alongside A*s and 9s across all GCSE subjects, and was awarded the Salters’ Advanced Chemistry Award for achieving one of the highest marks nationally in A Level Chemistry.
As a dedicated STEP tutor and TMUA tutor, having navigated these rigorous examinations myself and worked closely with students through every stage of preparation, I combine academic expertise, examiner insight and structured interview preparation to help ambitious students approach demanding admissions tests and university interviews with clarity, confidence and precision.
What My Students Say
I am proud to have maintained 100% positive feedback. Below is a selection of testimonials from former students and their parents.
Nicole is an excellent tutor who provides her students with exceptional support for TMUA preparation.Her teaching style is very engaging and structured over the months leading to the final examination.She instills confidence in her students and provides tips to tackle challenging problems. I thoroughly recommend her.
Nicole worked with my son for 18 months to prepare him for maths university entrance exams. She was extremely helpful. I cannot recommend her enough.
Nicole has been such a wonderful tutor thought GCSE and A level maths. She had always been so supportive in her approach and can always think of different ways to explain difficult concepts. Especially through the exam periods, she has always been keen to help in any way she can, and will help explain questions outside of tutoring sessions. Thank you very much Nicole- I couldn’t have done it without you !!
Thank you so much Nicole, you have been amazing at helping my son through these past 2 years. The subjects haven’t been easy for him, but your help has made the learning so much smoother. You’ve been so great in responding to his questions on WhatsApp whenever he was unsure. Once again, thank you so much from me! From Arjun: Nicole has been a fantastic tutor who has helped me achieve A*A* in Maths and Further Maths, as well as achieving a very strong grade in TMUA (top 10%), allowing me to receive offers from prestigious universities – which I feel is an incredible achievement for me, given I am not a natural mathematician. She has been excellent at explaining complex mathematical ideas in a simple, intuitive manner, focusing on both theoretical understanding and practical technique to answering questions. With her help, I have been able to use her tips and tricks to improve my exam technique, especially useful for the TMUA, allowing me to save time and work through questions efficiently. Her approach to teaching and explaining has meant that content I would’ve struggled over for hours and hours, is tackled in a single session. In addition, Nicole has extensive understanding of the exam board and knows the different styles of questions that tend to come up, allowing me to target my revision and save so much time. Nicole is warm, kind, and caring – she genuinely wanted to see me succeed. Thank you so much Nicole for everything these past 2 years. I honestly couldn’t have achieved my grades without you. Arjun
Nicole has been an amazing tutor. She helped me to prepare for STEP through online sessions on zoom and focused not only on my weaker areas to ensure that I could attempt all of the questions but also my stronger areas so that I could achieve higher marks in those topics. Nicole had new questions for me to try every week and allowed me to work through them, only giving me hints when I really needed them which helped to push me as much as possible.
Nicole has been of great help to me in my preparation for the STEP 2 and 3. She taught me invaluable mathematical tricks and showed me quicker and more elegant alternative solutions to difficult problems I solved, expanding my horizon. Nicole made me work on a broad variety of problems, giving me a sense of security and making sure that I don’t miss out on problem types that often come up. After we’d touched on most areas, she focussed on the topics I wished to consolidate and adapted her teaching perfectly to my needs. To sum up, Nicole was the perfect tutor for me, and I would recommend her to anyone preparing for STEP or a similar examination.
Nicole's preparation to Oxbridge maths interviews is brilliant. She is patient, thorough and available for any clarifications during and after the sessions.
Tuition Rates
STEP, TMUA and Admission Test Tuition
Specialist tuition focused on advanced problem-solving, exam technique and mathematical depth, helping you secure top grades in STEP and TMUA.
A Level Maths & Further Maths Tuition
Focused tuition designed to strengthen understanding, sharpen exam technique and build the confidence needed to achieve A and A* grades.
Maths Interview Coaching and Mock Interviews
Structured maths interview preparation designed to strengthen mathematical communication, logical reasoning, and the confidence needed to succeed in competitive university interviews.