How To Prepare For STEP And Achieve A High Score: A Complete Guide

Preparing for the Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP) can be challenging, but with the right strategy, you can maximise your chances of success. Whether you’re wondering how to prepare for STEP, looking for effective revision techniques, or searching for the best STEP preparation resources, this guide will provide a structured study plan to help you excel in the exam.

As a Cambridge Mathematics graduate who achieved Grade 1 in STEP 2 and STEP 3, I understand what it takes to succeed. In this article, I’ll share practical tips, problem-solving strategies, and essential resources that will help you perform at your best.

1. Start Early and Ease Yourself In

One of the most important pieces of advice I can give is to start your STEP preparation as early as possible. The earlier you begin, the more time you’ll have to develop problem-solving techniques, mathematical intuition, and confidence in tackling complex questions.

Recommended Resource: STEP Support Programme

📘 The STEP Support Programme is an excellent resource, particularly if you’re starting in Year 12. It introduces AS Maths concepts through STEP-style questions, helping you build a strong foundation before progressing to more advanced problems.

Why This Is Important

✔️ It allows you to get used to the longer and more demanding question format.
✔️ You’ll develop familiarity with new mathematical notation and ideas.
✔️ It prevents early-stage frustration by gradually introducing STEP-style thinking.

📌 Alternative Option: STEP Summer Courses
If you want a structured approach, a STEP summer course can provide a significant head start. I have developed my own “Summer of STEP” course, which helps students:
✅ Read and interpret STEP questions effectively.
✅ Gain confidence in applying A-Level Maths techniques to advanced problems.
✅ Improve problem-solving speed and efficiency.

More details about this can be found on my STEP Tuition page.

2. Practise STEP Questions by Topic

Rather than working through past papers year by year, I found that sorting STEP questions by topic was a much more effective approach.

Why Topic-Based Practice Works Best

✔️ It allows you to focus on topics you’ve already covered at A-Level, saving time.
✔️ You will gain exposure to different variations of the same topic, strengthening your understanding.
✔️ Tackling a broad range of topics improves mathematical intuition and adaptability.

📌 STEP Question Database by Topic
Because topic-based revision is so effective, I have created a comprehensive database categorising every STEP 2 and STEP 3 question from 1998-2020 according to the 2021 STEP Specification.

Each entry includes:
✅ A PDF of the question.
✅ The official mark scheme (where available).
✅ The examiner’s comments.

This allows you to practise efficiently, focusing on the areas where you need improvement.

3. Develop a Positive Mindset for Problem Solving

There will be times when a STEP question feels impossible. This is completely normal—the questions are designed to be challenging.

How to Overcome This

✅ Break it down: If you’re stuck, try writing out what you do know—it often helps to clarify your thoughts.
✅ Use worked solutions as a learning tool:

  • If you hit a roadblock, check the first few lines of the solution.
  • Try to continue independently from there.
  • If you’re still stuck, work through the entire solution line by line, asking:
    • Why was this step taken?
    • How did they think of this approach?
    • Why didn’t my method work?

📌 Find Worked Solutions Here: I have compiled fully worked solutions to STEP questions in my STEP database to help with this process.

4. Mark Your Answers Immediately After Completing a Question

Marking your answers straight away is one of the best ways to reinforce learning.

Why This Is Effective

✔️ Your working is still fresh in your mind, making it easier to spot errors.
✔️ You will better understand why an approach was incorrect, helping you avoid repeating mistakes.
✔️ It reinforces good habits, improving accuracy over time.

5. Focus on Your Strengths as the Exam Approaches

As the STEP exam date gets closer, it’s natural to feel some anxiety. To maintain confidence, focus on your strengths in the final few weeks.

How to Use This Strategy

✅ Revisit past questions from your strongest topics—this will boost confidence.
✅ Redo questions where you previously struggled to check if you’ve improved.
✅ Use familiar problems to reinforce speed and accuracy, keeping your mindset positive before the exam.

6. Introduce Timed Practice Closer to the Exam

STEP requires not just problem-solving skills but also time management. It’s crucial to simulate exam conditions before test day.

Two Ways to Practise Under Timed Conditions

1️⃣ Full Timed STEP Papers

  • Allows you to experience the full 3-hour exam.
  • Helps you practise exam techniques, such as question selection and pacing.

2️⃣ Individually Timed Questions (Highly Effective)

  • Set 40-minute time limits per question to develop speed and efficiency.
  • Great for students who want to practise under time pressure without committing to a full paper.

📌 Which Method Is Best?
I personally found timed individual questions more effective in my own preparation, but I know others preferred sitting fully timed papers.

7. Exam Strategy: How to Approach the STEP Exam

✅ Skim through the entire paper first to identify the best questions to attempt.
✅ Choose 6 questions wisely—only your best 6 answers are marked, so quality matters more than quantity.
✅ Start with a question you feel confident about to build momentum.
✅ Write out your working clearly—STEP rewards detailed solutions, not just final answers.
✅ Limit yourself to 40 minutes per question, but allow exceptions if you’re close to finishing.
✅ If you get stuck for 5–10 minutes, move on—leave blank pages so you can return later if time permits.
✅ Attempt 6 questions, even if some are only partial solutions—you maximise your marks by providing the examiner with as much correct working as possible.

Conclusion: The Best Way to Prepare for STEP

Succeeding in STEP requires a combination of early preparation, problem-solving practice, and timed exam techniques. By following this structured STEP study plan, you will build the confidence and skills necessary to achieve a high score.

Additional Recommended Resources for STEP Preparation

📘 Advanced Problems in Mathematics by Dr Stephen Siklos – A fantastic book featuring worked solutions to 75 STEP questions, complete with hints and problem-solving strategies.

📌 STEP Questions by Topic Database – A full collection of STEP paper questions sorted by topic.

📌 STEP Papers – STEP Papers from 1998-2023

📌 One-to-One STEP Tuition – If you need additional guidance to enhance your mathematical intuition and problem-solving skills, I offer personalised tutoring to help you achieve a top grade (S or 1). 

 

Best of luck with your STEP preparation—start early, practise effectively, and believe in yourself!