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CONTENTS
- What is STEP?
- What does the STEP exam involve?
- How is the STEP exam marked?
- How do you take the STEP exam?
- How much does the STEP exam cost?
- STEP exam dates 2023
- STEP preparation
What is STEP?
The Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP) is an exam you might be asked to take if you’re applying for a maths degree. You’ll be tested on maths questions that are of a similar style and level to those studied at undergraduate level.
The STEP exam is used by the University of Cambridge, the University of Warwick and Imperial College London. The following universities may require you to take the STEP exam as part of their conditional offers:
- King's College London (required if you only have an AS-level in maths and not an A-level)
- UCL (University College London)
Please note that entry requirements can change. Research the course entry requirements before you book your STEP exam.
The STEP exam was previously delivered by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing until 2023. From 2024 onwards, the STEP exam will be delivered by OCR.
What does the STEP exam involve?
There are two separate STEP papers that students can take. The university you’re applying for will explain to you which paper you’ll need to take. They’ll do so when they send you your conditional offer letter. Contact the university’s admissions team if you’re unsure.
Each exam paper is three hours long and has 12 questions. You only need to answer six questions.
There is no limit to the number of questions you can attempt. There are also no limits or restrictions on which questions you can choose to answer.
Here’s how the exams break down:
- The STEP 2 exam has questions based on A-level maths and AS-level further maths. There are 12 questions in total: 8 pure maths questions, 2 mechanics questions and 2 probability questions.
- The STEP 3 exam has questions based on A-level maths and A-level further maths. There are 12 questions in total: 8 pure maths questions, 2 mechanics questions and 2 probability questions.
The STEP 1 exam has been discontinued.
You’ll be expected to know formulae off by heart. They won’t be provided in the STEP exam. Normal exam rules also apply and while you’re free to take rulers, protractors and compasses into the exam room, calculators aren’t allowed.
How is the STEP exam marked?
Each question is marked out of 20. It’s important to know that marks aren’t just given for the correct answer. Even if the final answer you give isn’t correct, or you run out of time before getting a final answer, marks are awarded to candidates that “make good progress” towards the right answer.
There are five grades given to candidates:
- S – Outstanding
- 1 – Very Good
- 2 – Good
- 3 – Satisfactory
- U – Unclassified.
Your university will explain to you what grade level they’ll accept in their offer letter.
How do you take the STEP exam?
The STEP exam must be taken at a registered test centre. The test centre needs to register you as a STEP candidate – you can’t do it yourself.
You’ll need to provide the test centre with the following information:
- Your name
- Your date of birth
- Your gender
- Your UCAS number
- The name of your university(ies), course(s) and course code(s)
When you register, you’ll be given a candidate number to confirm your registration.
Your nearest test centre will likely be your school or college. Check with your teachers to see if this is the case. Even if your school or college isn't registered as a test centre they may be able to become one in order for you to sit your exam there.
If your school or college isn’t a registered test centre (and is unwilling to become one) then you’ll have to find one local to you. You can do so through the Cambridge Admissions Testing website.
If you have a disability or any access needs, you’ll need to let the test centre know when you register with them. They may ask for proof of your disability.
How much does the STEP exam cost?
The registration fee for the STEP exam is £93 per paper. This is for UK residents only. Those outside the UK must pay £129 per paper.
Not only do you have to pay to take the exam, but you must pay to find out how well you did in it. It costs £46 per paper for a Results Enquiries application. If you want to appeal your results, that will cost another £46.
STEP exam dates 2024
These are the key 2024 dates to know if you’re sitting the STEP exam:
1st March 2024: registration opens
4th May 2024: closing date for standard entries and last date to request access arrangements
5th June 2024: STEP Paper 2 takes place
24th June 2024: STEP Paper 3 takes place
15th August 2024: STEP results published
21st August 2024: last date for Results Enquiries applications
STEP preparation
The STEP exam contains questions that are based on A-level maths, along with AS-level and A-level further maths. This means that topic areas covered should be familiar to you from your current studies.
The questions have been designed to test your knowledge on a deeper level equivalent to the level of an undergraduate. They are designed to test whether you’re able to cope at undergraduate level.
Fortunately, there are plenty of resources out there available to help you:
- Download practice papers for free from the STEP website.
- Find a database of all past STEP questions.
- Read the STEP exam 2021 test specifications.
- University of Cambridge offers the STEP Support Programme. It’s a free support programme designed to help applicants develop their skills in preparation for the exam.
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