The STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) Mathematics examination is a well-established mathematics admissions test designed to assess candidates through questions similar in style to undergraduate mathematics.
Rather than focusing only on the recall of formulas or routine procedures, STEP is intended to assess mathematical reasoning, problem-solving ability, persistence and the ability to apply mathematical knowledge in unfamiliar situations.
There are currently two STEP examinations: STEP 2 and STEP 3. Depending on the university and course, candidates may be required to sit one paper or both papers.
STEP is used by the University of Cambridge, the University of Warwick and Imperial College London, while other universities may also require or consider STEP for particular courses. The specific requirements of the intended course should therefore be checked before registration.
For students planning to apply to UK universities for mathematics or related subjects, an understanding of the STEP Exam 2027, STEP requirements, examination format, registration procedure, fees, preparation resources and admissions implications can make the application process much clearer.
What Is the STEP Exam?
STEP, or the Sixth Term Examination Paper, is a mathematics admissions test in which candidates are assessed through challenging problems designed to resemble aspects of undergraduate mathematics. Greater emphasis is placed on mathematical thinking and problem-solving than on the straightforward application of familiar techniques.
Two papers are currently offered: STEP 2 and STEP 3. STEP 1 has been discontinued, and the official Cambridge STEP Support Programme confirms that the last STEP 1 paper was sat in 2019.
Candidates are usually required to sit either STEP 2, STEP 3 or both, depending on the requirements of the university or course being applied to. STEP may also be taken by students who simply wish to undertake a demanding mathematical challenge.
Because STEP requirements are course-specific, the relevant university’s latest admissions information should always be checked before an examination entry is made.
Which Universities Use STEP?
STEP is used by the University of Cambridge, the University of Warwick and Imperial College London. Other universities may also ask candidates to take STEP, depending on their admissions requirements.
| University | How STEP May Be Used |
| University of Cambridge | STEP forms an important part of typical Mathematics conditional offers. |
| University of Warwick | STEP may be required depending on the course and admissions conditions. |
| Imperial College London | STEP may be required depending on the course and admissions conditions. |
| Other universities | STEP may sometimes be required or considered as part of an offer. |
STEP should not be assumed to be compulsory for every course at these universities. The exact requirement should be confirmed against the course being applied for and the relevant admission year.
Why Is STEP Important for University Admissions?
STEP provides universities with an additional way of assessing advanced mathematical ability. Its questions are less standard and less structured than many conventional school examination questions, allowing problem-solving ability and mathematical potential to be examined in greater depth.
Cambridge states that STEP is a better predictor of success in the Mathematical Tripos than A-levels. One reason given is that the less routine and less structured nature of the questions can help distinguish mathematical ability or potential from the effects of teaching and examination preparation. Cambridge also identifies STEP preparation as useful preparation for university-level mathematics.
STEP can also provide a common assessment for applicants who have studied different qualifications. This can be valuable when candidates from different educational backgrounds are being considered for highly mathematical courses.
The examination is therefore not simply used to test whether mathematical content has been memorised. The ability to think mathematically, connect different ideas and persevere through challenging problems is also assessed.
STEP Exam Format 2027
The current STEP examination consists of two three-hour paper-based examinations: STEP 2 and STEP 3. Each paper contains 12 questions divided across Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Probability/Statistics.
| STEP Paper | Duration | Questions | Pure Mathematics | Mechanics | Probability/Statistics |
| STEP 2 | 3 hours | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| STEP 3 | 3 hours | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
All attempted questions are marked, but the final grade is based on the candidate’s six best answers. Each question is marked out of 20, so a maximum of 120 marks contributes to the final score.
This structure means that every question does not need to be completed. Strategic selection of questions and the development of substantial solutions are important parts of the examination.
What Is the Difference Between STEP 2 and STEP 3?
STEP 2 Mathematics
STEP 2 is based on A-level Mathematics and AS-level Further Mathematics. The paper contains 12 questions, comprising eight Pure Mathematics questions, two Mechanics questions and two Probability/Statistics questions.
Questions can require mathematical knowledge to be applied in unfamiliar ways. Several areas of the specification may also need to be connected within a single solution.
STEP 3 Mathematics
STEP 3 is based on A-level Mathematics and A-level Further Mathematics. As with STEP 2, 12 questions are provided, with eight Pure Mathematics questions, two Mechanics questions and two Probability/Statistics questions.
A broader Further Mathematics foundation is therefore assumed for STEP 3. The paper is intended to assess the ability to apply that knowledge to demanding mathematical problems.
What Is the STEP Syllabus?
The STEP specifications are based on relevant A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics content. The precise content should be checked against the current STEP specification because examination specifications can be updated.
Questions can require several areas of mathematical knowledge to be combined. They can also involve concepts that are not explicitly listed in the specification. Where this occurs, guidance is provided within the question.
The official STEP specification should therefore be treated as the principal reference for understanding the mathematical content that can be assessed.
How Is the STEP Exam Scored?
Every STEP question is marked out of 20 marks. All attempted questions are marked, but the final grade is calculated from the candidate’s six best answers.
The five possible STEP grades are:
| Grade | Description |
| S | Outstanding |
| 1 | Very Good |
| 2 | Good |
| 3 | Satisfactory |
| U | Unclassified |
The marking approach is designed to reward mathematical progress. Candidates can receive marks for developing a correct and substantial approach even when the final answer is not obtained. Correct answers receive full marks regardless of the valid method used.
This makes the presentation of mathematical reasoning particularly important.
Why Is STEP Difficult?
STEP is deliberately demanding because questions are designed to test mathematical problem-solving rather than only routine application of known methods.
Questions may require mathematical knowledge to be applied in novel and unfamiliar ways. Several different specification topics can also be involved in a single problem, while substantial algebraic manipulation may be required. OCR states that STEP solutions can require insight, ingenuity, persistence and the ability to work through substantial sequences of algebraic manipulation.
The STEP Support Programme also emphasises that candidates should expect to become stuck while developing their problem-solving skills. The difficulty is therefore an intended feature of the examination rather than an indication that preparation has been unsuccessful.
The current STEP Support Programme explains that its Foundation modules are designed to develop problem-solving skills and introduce students to STEP and STEP-like problems.
STEP Exam Registration 2027
STEP must be taken through an authorised test centre. Candidates cannot register themselves directly. They must be registered by an authorised STEP test centre, so they should contact their school or college exams officer if it is a registered centre, or find an authorised open test centre if it is not.
STEP can be taken in the UK and internationally, with international candidates required to find an authorised open test centre where appropriate.
Registration should therefore be arranged well before the official deadline. Test centres can establish their own earlier deadlines for accepting registrations, so the official closing date should not be treated as the centre’s internal deadline.
The required personal and UCAS information should be entered accurately, and any necessary access arrangements should be requested with the required supporting evidence.
How to Register for STEP in India
For students registering for STEP in India, the applicable instructions issued for the relevant examination series and authorised test centre should be followed.
Step 1: Complete the STEP Registration Form
The STEP registration form should be completed with the required personal and application information. Where a UCAS ID is available, it should be entered exactly as it appears on the UCAS application.
The appropriate STEP centre number should also be entered according to the selected test city.
The supplied information lists centres in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata.
Step 2: Pay the STEP Exam Fee
The supplied India registration instructions specify payment through NEFT and provide British Council and Standard Chartered Bank details.
Because payment procedures can change between examination series, the instructions applicable to the relevant STEP year should be confirmed before payment is made.
Step 3: Complete the MS Form
After the payment has been made, the MS Form should be completed with the required details. The UTR number is required as part of this process, so payment confirmation should be retained carefully.
Step 4: Submit the Required Documents
The completed registration form and payment confirmation should be submitted according to the instructions issued by the registration authority.
All pages should be checked before submission, and copies of the submitted documents and payment confirmation should be retained for reference.
STEP Exam Fees 2027: What Students Should Know
The STEP 2027 fees should not be presented as confirmed until the relevant official fee information has been published.
For reference, OCR’s confirmed 2026 fees were as follows:
| Fee | 2026 Amount |
| Registration fee per STEP paper – UK | £102.50 |
| Registration fee per STEP paper – outside the UK | £142.25 |
| Results enquiry per paper | £50.75 |
| Appeal per paper | £50.75 |
OCR also states that fees can be changed and that some centres may add an administration fee for costs associated with running the examination. International candidates are advised to contact their local centre regarding the fee in local currency.
Therefore, the figures above should be treated as 2026 reference fees, not STEP 2027 fees.
STEP Exam Dates 2027: Expected Timeline
The STEP 2027 dates should be treated as provisional until officially published. The following timeline is based on the planning information supplied and should not be presented as a confirmed examination timetable.
| STEP 2027 Event | Expected Timing |
| STEP Registration opens | Early March 2027 |
| Deadline to request modified question papers | Mid-April 2027 |
| STEP registration closes | Early May 2027 |
| Deadline to request access arrangements | Early May 2027 |
| STEP 2 examination | Early June 2027 |
| STEP 3 examination | Mid-June 2027 |
| STEP results | Mid-August 2027 |
| Results enquiries deadline | August 2027 |
The 2027 timetable should be checked once it is officially released. No extension is provided when a registration deadline falls on a weekend or public or national holiday, according to the published OCR guidance.
STEP Cancellation and Refund Information
Cancellation and refund arrangements should be checked against the official conditions applicable to the relevant examination series.
Cancellation or refund requests for STEP 2027 are expected to be accepted until early May 2027, subject to the applicable conditions. An approved refund is subject to a 25% administrative deduction, with the remaining 75% refunded.
However, these terms should be verified before a cancellation or refund request is made.
How to Prepare for the STEP Exam
STEP preparation should be based on problem-solving practice, rather than only on revision of mathematical formulas.
Past papers should be attempted regularly so that unfamiliar question structures become more manageable. When a problem cannot initially be solved, the solution should be studied for its reasoning and the problem should subsequently be attempted again.
Mark schemes can be used to understand how mathematical progress is rewarded. Since marks can be awarded even when a complete answer has not been reached, attention should be given to the quality and clarity of the working.
The official STEP specification should also be reviewed alongside past-paper practice so that preparation remains aligned with the relevant examination content.
STEP Support Programme: Cambridge’s Free Preparation Resource
The STEP Support Programme has been developed by the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Mathematics. It is a free resource designed to help university applicants develop advanced mathematical problem-solving skills and prepare for STEP.
The Foundation section contains 25 modules designed to develop problem-solving skills and introduce STEP and STEP-like problems. The official programme states that most of the questions in these Foundation modules are taken from older STEP 1 papers, with some STEP 2 questions appearing in later modules.
The programme also contains STEP 2 and STEP 3 modules. The resources are available to students who are preparing for STEP and can also be used by students who simply want to develop advanced mathematical problem-solving skills.
What STEP Preparation Resources Are Available from OCR?
OCR provides official STEP preparation resources, including past papers, solutions, mark schemes and the STEP specification. These resources can be used to understand the examination format, practise questions and review how solutions are assessed.
The official preparation material also includes instructions for the answer booklet. Candidates are required to indicate which question is being answered by shading the appropriate circle on each page.
These official resources should form the foundation of preparation, particularly because the style of STEP questions can differ substantially from standard school examination questions.
STEP Exam Answer Booklet and Marking
Clear mathematical working should be presented in the answer booklet because the marking process rewards progress towards a solution.
Candidates can answer more than six questions, and all attempted answers are marked. However, the marks from the best six questions are added to determine the final score. It is generally not advisable to spread effort too thinly across a large number of questions.
The appropriate question-answering circle must also be shaded on every page used. If the appropriate circles are not shaded, some answers may not be marked.
Calculators are not allowed in STEP examinations, and bilingual dictionaries are no longer permitted for candidates whose first language is not English.
STEP Special Consideration
Special consideration may be requested when temporary circumstances affect a candidate during the examination. Examples can include illness, injury or another temporary indisposition.
It can also apply when an administrative problem affects the assessment, such as an issue involving approved access arrangements.
Requests should be submitted according to the deadline and procedure specified by OCR for the relevant examination series. Special consideration should not be interpreted as an automatic adjustment to marks or grades.
For STEP, special consideration notifications, including supporting evidence, can currently be passed only to the University of Cambridge, the University of Warwick and Imperial College London.
How Are STEP Results Released?
STEP results are released through the official results system. Candidates need their candidate number, PIN and a valid email address to access their results. The candidate number and PIN are provided on the day of the test.
STEP results are passed to institutions through UCAS for use in admissions processes. The way in which results are used can vary between institutions.
For Cambridge, copies of candidates’ answer booklets are sent to the university admissions team. This allows decisions to be made using candidates’ actual mathematical work, rather than relying solely on marks or grades.
STEP and Cambridge Mathematics Admissions 2027
An important distinction should be understood by students preparing for Cambridge Mathematics admissions in 2027. STEP remains an important part of typical Cambridge Mathematics conditional offers, but it is not the only assessment used in the current admissions process.
The current Cambridge Mathematics admissions process includes the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) as a preliminary assessment. Cambridge states that all applicants are required to take the TMUA as part of this assessment. STEP remains part of the typical conditional offer. For A-level applicants, the current typical offer is A*A*A, including Mathematics and Further Mathematics, plus grades 1,1 in STEP 2 and STEP 3.
This distinction is particularly important for 2027 applicants. STEP should therefore not be described as the sole Cambridge Mathematics admissions test. The TMUA and STEP have different roles within the current Cambridge admissions process.
Cambridge also states that STEP is an important part of its conditional offer and that STEP marks and scripts are considered when applicants miss their STEP grades. The current Cambridge admissions guidance states that Colleges review the wider application, including STEP marks and scripts, for candidates who do not achieve the typical STEP grades.
Since admissions requirements can be updated, the latest Cambridge course information should always be checked before an application strategy is finalised.
Is STEP Required for Warwick and Imperial College London?
STEP requirements at the University of Warwick and Imperial College London can depend on the course and the terms of the offer.
Both universities use STEP, but applicants should not assume that the same STEP requirement applies to every course. The relevant university and course information should be checked before registration.
Where STEP is included in an offer, the required paper or papers should be confirmed carefully so that unnecessary examination entries are avoided.
Conclusion
STEP is a challenging mathematics examination designed to assess advanced problem-solving and mathematical reasoning. By understanding the exam format, university requirements, registration process and preparation resources in advance, students can approach STEP with greater confidence and prepare more effectively.
For students applying to UK universities for mathematics courses, Book a Free Consultation with ScholarshipKart today. Our expert counsellors provide guidance on university and course choices and help clarify where STEP requirements fit into the wider UK admissions strategy. Expert counselling can be sought early so that the appropriate course, university and examination requirements can be understood before key application decisions are made.
FAQs
What does STEP stand for?
STEP stands for Sixth Term Examination Paper. It is a mathematics admissions test designed around challenging questions similar in style to undergraduate mathematics.
How many STEP papers are there?
There are currently two STEP papers: STEP 2 and STEP 3. STEP 1 has been discontinued, and the last STEP 1 paper was sat in 2019.
How long is each STEP paper?
Each STEP paper lasts three hours.
How many questions are included in STEP?
Each paper contains 12 questions: eight Pure Mathematics questions, two Mechanics questions and two Probability/Statistics questions.
Do all 12 STEP questions contribute to the final grade?
All attempted questions are marked, but the final score is based on the candidate’s six best answers.
Is STEP harder than A-level Mathematics?
STEP is designed to be more demanding and less structured than typical school examination questions. Questions can require unfamiliar applications of mathematical knowledge, insight, persistence and substantial algebraic reasoning.
Is STEP required for Cambridge Mathematics?
STEP remains part of the typical Cambridge Mathematics conditional offer. However, the current Cambridge admissions process also requires applicants to take the TMUA as a preliminary assessment. The latest course-specific requirements should be checked before applying.
When was the last STEP 1 examination?
The last STEP 1 paper was sat in 2019. STEP 1 has since been discontinued.
Where can STEP preparation resources be found?
Official preparation resources are available through the Cambridge STEP Support Programme and OCR. Cambridge provides the free STEP Support Programme, while OCR provides past papers, solutions, mark schemes and the STEP specification.