Duration
3 hours per paper
STEP 2 + STEP 3
Preparation Guide
Sixth Term Examination Paper Preparation Guide
Format, scoring, key dates, strategy, and expert preparation support.
STEP at a Glance
Papers
2
STEP 2 (required), STEP 3 (Cambridge)
Best 6 scored
Out of ~12
You attempt your best 6 from 12
Pass grade
1, 2, or S
S = outstanding
Cambridge offer
1, 1
STEP 2 + STEP 3
Cost
£100+ per paper
Key Dates & Deadlines
February to March
Registration
Through your school exam officer.
June (specific date varies)
STEP 2 Exam
3-hour written paper.
June (specific date varies)
STEP 3 Exam
3-hour written paper, typically a few days after STEP 2.
August (with A-Level results)
Results
Grades released on results day.
February to March
Registration
Through your school exam officer.
June (specific date varies)
STEP 2 Exam
3-hour written paper.
June (specific date varies)
STEP 3 Exam
3-hour written paper, typically a few days after STEP 2.
August (with A-Level results)
Results
Grades released on results day.
STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is an advanced mathematics examination used primarily by Cambridge for Mathematics and some related courses, also accepted by Warwick and other universities as a conditional offer requirement. STEP papers are 3 hours each and reward proof-style mathematical reasoning rather than syllabus recall.
STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is an advanced mathematics examination used primarily by Cambridge for Mathematics and some related courses. It is also accepted by Warwick and other universities as part of conditional offers.
STEP is fundamentally different from A-Level Mathematics. Questions are long, unstructured, and require you to construct proofs, develop arguments, and apply mathematical reasoning in unfamiliar contexts.
There are currently two papers: STEP 2 and STEP 3. STEP 3 is harder and covers a wider syllabus including Further Mathematics content. Cambridge Mathematics typically requires STEP 2 and STEP 3, while some other courses or universities may require only one paper.
01Section 01
Test Format
01
Section 01
Test Format
Each STEP paper is 3 hours long and contains approximately 12 questions. You choose which questions to attempt, and your best 6 answers are marked.
Questions are in three sections: Pure Mathematics, Mechanics, and Statistics/Probability. Most candidates focus on Pure and one applied section.
There is no multiple choice. Every question requires a full written solution with clear mathematical working and justification.
STEP 2
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Format
- 12 questions, answer best 6
- Marks
- 120
STEP 3
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Format
- 12 questions, answer best 6
- Marks
- 120
Total duration: 3 hours per paper
02Section 02
Scoring, Bands & What Universities Look For
02
Section 02
Scoring, Bands & What Universities Look For
Each question is marked out of 20. Your total score from your best 6 questions (out of 120) determines your grade: S (Outstanding), 1, 2, 3, or U.
Cambridge typically requires a grade 1 in both STEP 2 and STEP 3, though some offers may ask for an S grade.
A score of around 60–70 out of 120 is usually sufficient for a grade 1. This means getting roughly 5–6 questions substantially correct.
Score Distribution
STEP 2 (Mathematics II) — June 2024 cohort
All candidatesCambridge offer condition (Grade 1 / S)
What each score band realistically buys you
Top decileS in both papersExceptional — top of the Cambridge cohort
A double-S profile is rare and lifts borderline applications. Most Cambridge Maths offer-holders score 1–1, not S–S.
Cambridge
Strong1 in both papersStandard Cambridge Maths offer met
The published offer is "1, 1" in STEP 2 + 3. Hitting this confirms the offer; missing it is the most common reason offers are lost.
CambridgeWarwick (uses STEP 2)Imperial (some courses)
Average2 in either paperCambridge offer at risk
Many offers are downgraded or withdrawn at this level — though every cycle a small number of "near-miss" candidates are confirmed if predicted grades held.
Below band3 / UCambridge offer typically lost
The fallback is usually a Warwick or Imperial offer that has lower STEP requirements (or none). Resit in autumn is rare.
03Section 03
Universities & Courses That Require This Test
03
Section 03
Universities & Courses That Require This Test
Universities and courses that gate on the STEP, how each one uses the score, and the realistically competitive band to target.
| University | Courses | How score is used | Competitive at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | Mathematics, Computer Science with Maths | Offer condition The published Mathematics offer is grades 1 in both STEP 2 and STEP 3. | 1, 1 |
| Warwick | Mathematics | Offer condition Used as a flexible offer — STEP grade can replace AAA requirement. | Grade 1 in STEP 2 |
| Imperial | Some Maths offers | Tiebreaker STEP can be added to an offer to give a route around missed A-level grades. | — |
- Cambridge1, 1
Mathematics, Computer Science with Maths
Offer conditionThe published Mathematics offer is grades 1 in both STEP 2 and STEP 3.
- WarwickGrade 1 in STEP 2
Mathematics
Offer conditionUsed as a flexible offer — STEP grade can replace AAA requirement.
Some Maths offers
TiebreakerSTEP can be added to an offer to give a route around missed A-level grades.
04Section 04
Why a High Score Matters
04
Section 04
Why a High Score Matters
STEP is unusual: unlike most admissions tests, it is a CONDITIONAL OFFER requirement, not a pre-interview filter. Cambridge Mathematics offers are conditional on STEP grade alongside A-Level grades — failing to meet the STEP requirement loses you the place.
A grade 1 in STEP 2 and STEP 3 is the standard Cambridge Maths conditional. Some courses or colleges set a higher bar (S grade) for borderline interview candidates. Realistically, an S grade demonstrates exceptional mathematical ability and improves your standing for any future Maths-related opportunities.
For Warwick and other universities accepting STEP as an alternative offer, the threshold is typically grade 2 in STEP 2 only. Verify per-university and per-course on the official offer letter.
05Section 05
Preparation Strategy
05
Section 05
Preparation Strategy
01
Quality, not coverage
Markers reward 6 complete, well-justified solutions over 12 partial attempts. Strong candidates pick fewer questions and finish them.
02
Read the question twice before starting
STEP questions are layered — the early parts often hint at the technique needed for the later parts. Skipping the build-up costs 8+ marks per question.
03
Proof technique fluency
Induction, contradiction, and direct construction appear in nearly every paper. Drill the templates until they're automatic.
04
Past papers are the curriculum
STEP has 25+ years of papers, all freely available. Use Siklos for the bridge from A-level, then work backwards from the most recent papers.
05
Mock under exam conditions
A 3-hour STEP mock is exhausting; you need stamina training. Sit at least 4 full mocks under exam conditions before May.
Focus on completeness over breadth. It is far better to produce 4–5 complete, well-argued solutions than to attempt all 12 questions with partial answers.
Start each question by reading it carefully and identifying what mathematical tools are needed. Many STEP questions contain subtle hints in their structure.
Develop fluency with proof techniques: proof by induction, proof by contradiction, and direct proof. These appear in nearly every paper.
Practise writing mathematically precise solutions. STEP markers reward clear notation, logical structure, and correct justification at every step.
Build an "attack repertoire" for common question types: integration by substitution/parts, recurrence relations, geometric series, and differential equations.
06Section 06
Study Timeline
06
Section 06
Study Timeline
6m+ out
4–5hBridge from A-level to STEP style
- Work through Siklos Advanced Problems in Mathematics
- STEP Support Programme assignments
- Build proof technique repertoire
01- 02
4–6m out
8–10hSTEP 2 papers, working backwards
- One STEP 2 paper per week
- Detailed solution write-up — not just answer-checking
- Build your own technique library by topic
2–4m out
10–12hSTEP 3 papers + timed mocks
- Alternate STEP 2 / STEP 3 weekly
- 2 full timed mocks
- Refine question selection strategy
03- 04
1–2m out
8–10hStamina + sharpness
- Weekly full mock
- Daily one timed question
- Logistics: paper, food, stamina plan
- 01
6m+ out
4–5hBridge from A-level to STEP style
- Work through Siklos Advanced Problems in Mathematics
- STEP Support Programme assignments
- Build proof technique repertoire
- 02
4–6m out
8–10hSTEP 2 papers, working backwards
- One STEP 2 paper per week
- Detailed solution write-up — not just answer-checking
- Build your own technique library by topic
- 03
2–4m out
10–12hSTEP 3 papers + timed mocks
- Alternate STEP 2 / STEP 3 weekly
- 2 full timed mocks
- Refine question selection strategy
- 04
1–2m out
8–10hStamina + sharpness
- Weekly full mock
- Daily one timed question
- Logistics: paper, food, stamina plan
6+ months out: start working through introductory STEP-style problems alongside your A-Level / IB studies. Build proof-writing fluency.
4–6 months out: work through past STEP 2 papers systematically. Aim for 2–3 complete questions per sitting initially.
2–4 months out: begin STEP 3 papers if required. Increase to full timed papers and review every solution carefully.
1–2 months out: timed exam simulations under strict conditions. Focus on question selection strategy and time allocation.
07Section 07
Common Mistakes & Tutor Support
07
Section 07
Common Mistakes & Tutor Support
Question scatter
Weak
“"I attempted all 12 questions and finished none."”
Strong
“"I read all 12 in the first 10 minutes, picked 6, and committed."”
Why it matters: Best-6 scoring rewards depth not breadth. Scattering across 12 questions guarantees no question reaches the marks-rich part.
Skipping the setup
Weak
“"I jumped to part (iii) because parts (i) and (ii) looked easy."”
Strong
“"I worked parts (i) and (ii) carefully — they fed the substitution part (iii) needed."”
Why it matters: STEP questions are constructed so that early parts unlock later parts. Skipping setup throws away 5–10 marks per question.
Unjustified shortcuts
Weak
“"I quoted a result from FM and applied it without proof."”
Strong
“"I either proved the result in 2 lines or used a long-form alternative."”
Why it matters: STEP markers want to see your reasoning, not your knowledge. A correct answer with no working can score zero on harder questions.
The biggest STEP mistakes are attempting too many questions superficially, poor proof structure, and not showing sufficient working.
A specialist tutor can identify gaps in your mathematical toolkit, teach efficient proof techniques, and help you develop the judgment to pick the right questions under exam pressure.
08Section 08
Practice Resources & Question Bank
08
Section 08
Practice Resources & Question Bank
Past STEP papers going back over 20 years are freely available from the Cambridge Assessment website. Work through these systematically, starting with STEP 2 before moving to STEP 3.
The STEP Support Programme (also from Cambridge) provides structured preparation material with worked examples and graded problem sets.
The "Advanced Problems in Mathematics" book by Stephen Siklos (freely available as PDF) is an excellent bridge between A-Level and STEP difficulty.
09Section 09
Registration & Logistics
09
Section 09
Registration & Logistics
STEP registration is through your school or exam centre, usually in the spring term. The exam is typically sat in June.
If you are an international student, you will need to arrange a test centre through your school or a registered exam centre.
10Section 10
International Applicants
10
Section 10
International Applicants
STEP is sat at school exam centres or registered private centres worldwide. Most international British schools serve as centres; if your school does not, contact OCR (the awarding body) to find an authorised centre near you.
The exam is paper-based, not computer-based. International students sit the same papers under the same conditions as UK candidates, with identical mark schemes and grade boundaries.
STEP is sat in June, which often clashes with international school final exams or A-Level / IB sittings. Plan your study timeline around your home-country exam schedule.
Cambridge and Warwick apply the same STEP requirements to international and domestic offer-holders. There is no language adjustment or alternative test for non-native English speakers.