So how do I know when to step climb? Is it assumed that I will simply plan at the first level unless specifically asked to step climb? I ask because on a practice question I was instructed to cruise at the "highest available and appropriate Flight Level" I was only a few hundred KG over for FL370 but all I had to do was cruise at FL330 for 7 minutes then climb up to 370. It made sense to me (especially since FL370 was the optimum hemispherical level) and it gave me a lot more payload. (For those playing at home the course answer did not show a step climb despite my figures for the non-step-climb scenario being correct , Page 38 of 78 in the answers section).
My gut tells me that for the purpose of the exam I'd better not be a smart-arse and to just keep it simple by planning at one level unless specifically asked to do otherwise.
FRQ CB
(Did I ask somebody this question already because it sounds familiar?)