Multi-Step Problem Approach

This lesson teaches you a systematic framework for tackling the long, multi-part questions that appear at the end of each Edexcel A-Level Mathematics paper. These questions typically carry 10-16 marks and combine multiple topics. Students who approach them without a strategy often lose marks unnecessarily. A structured approach maximises your score even when the question is difficult.

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The READ-PLAN-EXECUTE-CHECK Framework

Use this four-step process for every multi-step question.

Step 1: READ (1-2 minutes)

Read the entire question — all parts — before writing anything.

Why this matters:

• Later parts often reveal the expected method for earlier parts
• You can identify which topics are being combined
• You spot "hence" instructions that constrain your method
• You understand the full scope of the question before committing time

What to look for:

• Key mathematical words: "hence", "show that", "exact value", "prove"
• Given information: formulae, diagrams, initial conditions
• Links between parts: does part (c) use the result from part (b)?
• Mark allocation: how many marks is each part worth?

Step 2: PLAN (1 minute)

Before writing any mathematics, plan your approach.