STEP Tutor
Nicole Taylor
Hi! I’m Nicole Taylor — a Cambridge Mathematics graduate and specialist STEP tutor, dedicated to helping students succeed in the Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP).
As the founder of NextStepMaths.com, I offer expert online STEP tuition to students across the UK and internationally. Since 2019, I’ve helped hundreds of students secure Oxbridge offers and excel in STEP 2 and STEP 3 — some of the most challenging university admissions exams in mathematics.
🎯 Why Choose Me as Your STEP Tutor?
🎓 Cambridge Mathematics Graduate – BA Hons (Cantab)
🧠 Experienced STEP Marker – first-hand insight into what examiners expect
🧑🏫 Hundreds of Hours of STEP Tutoring experience since 2019
💻 Specialist in Online Tuition for students worldwide
📈 Proven Track Record helping students achieve top STEP results and university offers
🧩 My Approach to STEP Tutoring
My tuition is personalised, structured, and results-focused, helping you:
✔️ Master advanced mathematical techniques required for STEP success
✔️ Develop deep problem-solving intuition and logical reasoning
✔️ Strengthen confidence through exam-style practice and feedback
✔️ Build speed, accuracy, and precision under timed conditions
✔️ Refine your presentation and clarity of written solutions
Whether you’re preparing for STEP 2, STEP 3, or both, I’ll help you approach the exams with clarity, confidence, and expert strategy — drawing on my Cambridge background and extensive marking experience to guide you to success.
Expert STEP Tutor for Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP) Preparation
The STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is one of the most challenging university admissions tests in Mathematics. Many students find the jump from A-Level to STEP content overwhelming. The key to success often lies in learning the problem-solving techniques and exam strategies that experienced STEP tutors understand in depth.
Why Work with an Experienced STEP Tutor
Having personally sat the STEP exams and achieved top grades (1s in both STEP 2 and STEP 3), I know exactly what it takes to succeed. Over the years, I’ve helped numerous students secure offers from Cambridge, Warwick, Imperial, and other top universities through targeted STEP tuition.
As a dedicated STEP tutor, I design every lesson to match your specific goals and areas for improvement—whether that involves Pure Mathematics, Mechanics, Statistics, or a mix of all three.
My Approach to STEP Tutoring
My approach focuses on breaking down complex problems, revealing hidden structures, and building your mathematical reasoning step by step. As your STEP tutor, I’ll help you:
Master unfamiliar content: STEP questions often extend beyond A-Level topics. I’ll fill any gaps and introduce you to the techniques required for higher-level problem solving.
Tackle Mechanics and Statistics with confidence: These sections often intimidate students, but with regular practice and expert guidance, they can become some of your strongest areas.
Spot hidden patterns: Many STEP questions contain subtle clues in their wording. I’ll teach you how to recognise and use these to your advantage.
Choose the right questions in the exam: Since you only need to answer six of the twelve questions, I’ll show you how to select the best ones to maximise your marks.
For further reading, you can also explore my article How to Prepare for STEP.
Personalised STEP Tuition Online
All STEP tutoring sessions are delivered online via Zoom, using an interactive whiteboard to replicate the feel of an in-person lesson. After each session, I provide targeted homework so you can practise and consolidate what you’ve learned. I’m also available between sessions via WhatsApp or email to answer questions, ensuring you always have support when you need it.
You can choose flexible lesson frequency—whether weekly, twice a week, or as part of an intensive revision programme. Every STEP tuition plan is tailored to your progress, ensuring you build confidence, speed, and precision ahead of the exam.
Additional STEP Resources
To support your preparation, I’ve also developed several free and premium STEP resources:
STEP Questions and Solutions Database – a searchable archive of past STEP questions with detailed worked solutions.
STEP Questions by Topic – ideal for focused revision and identifying weaker areas.
Book Your STEP Tuition
If you’re looking for a STEP tutor who combines exam experience, teaching expertise, and a clear, structured approach, I’d be delighted to help you prepare.
Click the “Book / Enquire” button below to arrange your first STEP tutoring session, or contact me directly to discuss your goals. Together, we can build the understanding and confidence you need to achieve top marks in the STEP Mathematics exam.
When To Start STEP Tuition?
From my experience as a STEP tutor, the ideal time to begin STEP 2 tuition is during the summer between Year 12 and Year 13. By this stage, students have usually covered enough Pure Mathematics content from A Level Maths to start tackling STEP 2 questions effectively. Beginning STEP tuition at this point allows for gradual progress and a solid foundation in problem-solving before the demands of Year 13.
STEP 2 is a common requirement for Mathematics and related degrees at top universities such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Warwick, and Imperial College London. Early, structured STEP tuition ensures you are confident with the exam format, question style, and time management before the spring mocks and final preparation period.
For STEP 3 tuition, I generally recommend starting around December or January of Year 13. By this time, most students have completed sufficient material from both A Level Maths and A Level Further Maths, making STEP 3 questions more approachable.
As an experienced STEP tutor, I guide students through the transition from A Level to the advanced problem-solving required for STEP 3. This paper is widely recognised as the most challenging of the exams and, for Cambridge applicants, is typically required alongside STEP 2, with the standard offer being 1,1.
Because of its depth and difficulty, STEP 3 tuition benefits from consistent, long-term preparation—focusing on technique, clarity of mathematical reasoning, and confidence under timed conditions. Starting early gives you the best chance of achieving top grades and securing your university place.
My Testimonials
I have 100% positive feedback. Below are just a selection of reviews I have received from former students and/or their parents. To read all my reviews, please click here.
5.0
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Galyna Gutsulyak ★★★★★
Nicole has been a great tutor for my son. She prepared him for Cambridge STEPS exams with … More positive outcome. I would definitely recommend. Thank you very much Nicole . You are THE BEST! -
Abraham Greenberg ★★★★★
Nicole is an amazing teacher! She helped me prepare for the STEP exams for imperial college. … More I had Nicole in order to help prepare for the STEP, but she also improved my confidence and understanding accross my A-Level Maths and Further Maths courses! Nicole also was able to provide support outside of lessons if I needed help with solving a problem which was incredibly useful!Thank you Nicole for everything! -
Yaaseen Taher ★★★★★
An amazing Maths tutor. I have received outstanding support for my personal statement, interview … More practice and the Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP). She gives good explanations and she’s clearly very intelligent in her field. STEP is too difficult for most of my teachers so it was nice to have someone that could teach it very well. I have received an offer from Cambridge University and I don’t think I would’ve done it without her. I would highly recommend.
Tuition Prices
You may notice that my rates are higher than those of other tutors. These rates reflect my qualifications and tutoring experience, which you can read about here.
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University Admissions Test Preparation £150/hour
STEP, MAT, TMUA and others.
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A Level Maths and Further Maths Tuition £150/hour
For UK and International A Levels.
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Interview Preparation and Mock Interviews £150/hour
Both Oxbridge and non-Oxbridge interview preparation for Mathematics and Mathematics-related courses.
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Personal Statement and UCAS Application Help £150/hour
For Maths and Maths-related courses.
Is Online Tuition Right For You?
When choosing online STEP Tuition for yourself or your child, a key question is whether online tuition is the right fit. To help you decide, I’ve written an article covering how it works, the necessary equipment, and strategies for success.