STEP 3 Training · Roadmap

The Roadmap

From "just finished 11.º ano" to STEP 3 in June — one realistic plan, built around your 12.º ano school year. Adjust the pace, keep the order.

Phase A — Build the machine Sep – Jan

Goal: finish the Bridge Course. Roughly one lesson per week, two when a topic is light or overlaps with school. Suggested clustering:

• Sep: Lessons 1–3 (proof, algebra, exp/log). Lesson 3 also front-loads your 12.º ano material — school will feel easier.
• Oct: Lessons 4–6 (the calculus block). This is the heart of the course; give it real time.
• Nov: Lessons 7–9 (complex numbers, matrices).
• Dec: Lessons 10–12 (vectors, hyperbolics, polar/sketching).
• Jan: Lessons 13–14 (series, differential equations) + revisit whatever felt shaky.

In parallel, from day one: the STEP Support Programme Foundation modules (see Resources) — one every week or two. They train problem-solving habits on STEP 1–level material and are the perfect companion to the bridge lessons.

Phase B — Learn the craft Jan – Mar

Goal: become fluent at 45-minute problems.

• Work through the ten worked problems here: attempt each seriously first, then study the "how to think about it" sections.
• Start the STEP Support Programme STEP 2 modules, and begin topic-by-topic past-paper questions (see Practice) — mostly STEP 1/2 questions at this stage, choosing topics you've finished in the bridge course.
• Register for the exam when registration opens (typically early March) — don't leave the test-centre logistics late.

Phase C — Raise the bar Mar – Apr

Goal: STEP 3–level fluency, topic by topic.

• Move to the STEP Support Programme STEP 3 modules and STEP 3 past questions by topic: complex numbers, then calculus/reduction formulae, then series, then DEs, then matrices/vectors — the high-frequency pure topics first.
• Keep a mistakes notebook: every failed attempt gets one line on what would have unlocked it. Reread it weekly; this is the single highest-value habit.
• If Cambridge is the target, split time between STEP 2 and STEP 3 questions (the skills transfer almost completely).

Phase D — Simulate May – June

Goal: exam craft.

• Full timed papers (3 hours, no interruptions, no notes), roughly one per week rising to two: recent-format papers (2019 onwards) are the best match. Mark yourself honestly against solutions.
• Train question selection: spend the first 5–10 minutes reading the whole paper and choosing; a good choice of 6 is worth more than any single technique.
• Balance with exames nacionais revision — the June calendar is crowded; plan it on paper in April.

The weekly rhythm that works