STEP 2023

Glossary

Curated question: — Past-paper question with a worked solution and a tagged method.
Method: — Portable technique that pops up across years.
Worked solution: — Step-by-step solution written by us in our voice.
Past paper: — Official exam session published by the board.

These pages only count the curated set: questions with both a worked solution and at least one tagged method. Bulk past papers without that treatment are hidden.

Session overview

Questions

Worked

100%

Methods triggered

Papers

Theme mix

Pure16
Mechanics4
Statistics4

Chapter mix · 2023

Integration4
Mechanics4
Probability & Statistics4
Complex Numbers2
Proof & Number Theory2
Trigonometry2
Vectors & Matrices2
Coordinate Geometry & Conics1
Differential Equations1
Functions & Curve Sketching1
Sequences & Series1

Methods triggered this session

Each method that at least one question in this session hits.

1
Exploit a kinematic constraint: differentiate the position relation to link velocities and accelerations
Mechanics
×2
2
Recognise the standard model, then approximate Binomial by Poisson or Normal
Probability & Statistics
×2
3
Order statistics through the CDF of the max, the min or the $k$ -th value
Probability & Statistics
×2
4
Modulus inequalities: bound a sum below or above to force existence or impossibility
Complex Numbers
×1
5
Pin down a complex root through its symmetric functions and the conjugate-root reflex
Complex Numbers
×1
6
Two points on a curve: carry $s + t$ and $s t$ (sum and product of parameters) as the variables
Coordinate Geometry & Conics
×1
7
Stitch a solution across intervals by matching value and gradient (piecewise / continuity conditions)
Differential Equations
×1
8
Prove a sign or inequality by anchoring at a point and reading the sign of the derivative
Functions & Curve Sketching
×1
9
Fold a tail onto a finite piece with $x \mapsto k / x$ (and exploit interval-preserving maps)
Integration
×1
10
Generate a reduction relation, then telescope or solve the recurrence
Integration
×1

Try a method on a real paper

Open the STEP methods app to see worked examples, linked questions and the 3-panel revision view.

Open STEP methods