1) Preceding 2) Preparatory 3) Propaedeutic 
• (n.) That which is done in the way of preparation. • (a.) Tending to prepare or make ready; having the power of preparing, qualifying, or fitting; preparatory. • (n.) That which has the power of preparing, or previously fitting for a purpose; that which prepares.
Pre·par'a·tive adjective [ Confer French préparatif .] Tending to prepare or make ready; having the power of preparing, qualifying, or fitting; preparatory. « Laborious quest of knowledge preparative to this work.» South. 
preparatory.