STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is a mathematics admissions examination administered by OCR. It consists of two papers, STEP 2 and STEP 3, each three hours long with twelve questions across pure mathematics, mechanics and statistics. It is used mainly for mathematics offers at the University of Cambridge and other UK universities.

How should I practise for the STEP?

Work through past papers under timed, exam-like conditions, then review every mistake. FrontierVUE supports STEP preparation with timed mock practice in a computer-based interface, past papers organised by year, worked solutions and performance analytics.

Does FrontierVUE provide official STEP questions?

FrontierVUE's STEP practice is built on publicly released past-paper materials. FrontierVUE is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by UAT-UK, Pearson, OCR, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, or any official admissions-test owner.

FrontierVUE is free to start: registration is free, and every exam including the STEP offers free sample past papers. Full question banks, mock papers, premium practice modes and AI analysis unlock with a one-time per-subject purchase. Institutional plans are also available.

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Yes. FrontierVUE offers institutional plans for schools and training centres: invigilated mock exams in a computer-based interface, anti-cheating safeguards, group assignment and cohort-level analytics. Contact the team through the site to set up institutional access.

STEP

Sixth Term Examination Paper

The Cambridge-run university mathematics examination — STEP 2 and STEP 3, each 3 hours and 12 questions, probing deep problem-solving and proof.

Format: 2 papers (STEP 2/3)
Per paper: 3 hrs, 12 questions
Strategy: Attempt ~6 questions
Grades: S / 1 / 2 / 3 / U

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STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is administered by OCR, the exam board within the Cambridge family, and is one of the most demanding written admissions tests for mathematics degrees in the UK. It is used chiefly for Mathematics at Cambridge and for mathematics-related offers at universities such as Warwick and Imperial College London. There are two papers, STEP 2 and STEP 3, each lasting 3 hours with 12 questions spread across pure mathematics, mechanics and probability/statistics — candidates attempt about 6. STEP is not a race against the clock: it rewards sustained progress through long, open-ended problems — deep mathematical problem-solving and rigorous proof — and is the key bridge from A-level to university mathematics.

SCHEDULE

Test dates

June sitting

Registration opens: March
Registration closes: May
Test date: June
Results: August (with A-level results)

STEP is normally sat in June (entries close around May, made through your school or an authorised centre), with results published in August alongside A-level results. Sittings, entry platforms and exact dates are confirmed each year — always check the official OCR website; the dates above reflect recent cycles.

STRUCTURE

Paper structure

01STEP 2

A-level Maths + Further Maths level — mainly pure

12 questions (attempt ~6)3 hours

Aimed at students taking **A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics**, centred on **pure mathematics** with **mechanics and probability/statistics** alongside. Questions are longer and more open-ended than A-level, demanding multi-step reasoning and proof.

02STEP 3

Harder still — full Further Maths syllabus

12 questions (attempt ~6)3 hours

Harder than STEP 2, covering the full **Further Mathematics syllabus**, with pure questions of greater depth and abstraction — the core component of a Cambridge Mathematics offer.

SCORING

Scoring

01
Each paper is graded on a five-band scale: S / 1 / 2 / 3 / U (S is the highest, U unclassified).
02
Your grade maps from the marks earned on the questions you choose to attempt — you are not expected to answer all 12; quality beats quantity.
03
Typical Cambridge Mathematics offers require grade 1 in both STEP 2 and STEP 3 (e.g. A*A* + 1, 1), and sometimes more (such as an S).
04
Results are published in August alongside A-level results and passed automatically to your nominated universities.

UNIVERSITIES

Universities & requirements

Requirement	University	Courses	Notes
Required	University of Cambridge	Mathematics, and the Mathematics with Physics route	STEP 2 + STEP 3 form a condition of the offer, typically 1, 1 or higher (some colleges or years ask for an S). It is the decisive element of Cambridge Mathematics admissions; individual colleges may also set STEP for other maths-heavy courses.
Required	University of Warwick	Mathematics (TMUA or STEP — one of the two is required)	Warwick Mathematics requires either the TMUA or STEP (it is not an optional extra). On the STEP route, the typical offer carries an added condition of grade 2 in any one STEP paper (STEP 2 or 3) — check the offer terms for the year.
Recommended	Imperial College London	Mathematics	Imperial Mathematics uses the TMUA as its main written test; applicants without a TMUA score usually receive a conditional offer with a STEP condition attached. Check each course’s admissions page for the current year.
Supplementary	University of Bristol / University of Bath	Mathematics	Bristol: a STEP grade can feed into an alternative (reduced) offer. Bath: from 2025 entry, STEP is no longer considered for standard applicants taking Further Mathematics; only applicants without Further Maths may be asked for it (e.g. grade 2 in any STEP paper).

COMPETITIVENESS

How scores compare

Cambridge Mathematics: grade 1 in both STEP 2 and STEP 3 is the common bar; aim for an S if you are targeting the most competitive colleges.
Warwick: one of TMUA/STEP is compulsory — the STEP route needs grade 2 in any one paper. Imperial: TMUA is the primary test, with a STEP condition typically attached when no TMUA score is offered.
STEP is hard and the grade distribution moves year on year, with boundaries adjusted to the cohort; always check each university’s website for the latest policy.

ANALYSIS

Exam analysis

STEP uses the S / 1 / 2 / 3 / U grade scale — there is no traditional "full marks", and question selection directly shapes your grade: finishing your strongest questions in depth beats spreading yourself thinly.
Questions are long and open-ended, usually building through several linked parts; they are proof-heavy and reasoning-heavy, with high demands on written presentation and logical rigour.
STEP 2 leans pure with foundational mechanics/statistics; STEP 3 steps up markedly in difficulty and abstraction, covering the full Further Maths syllabus — train for the two papers separately.
Time management is decisive: 3 hours for roughly 6 questions — fewer, done properly, wins. Use past papers for timed full runs and rehearse your selection rhythm.

Score distribution

Share of candidates by STEP grade — Cambridge offers typically require grade 1 or above

Indicative distribution — refer to official statistics. The x-axis shows STEP grades (S highest, then 1 / 2 / 3 / U) and the y-axis the share of candidates; the gold line marks the typical Cambridge Mathematics offer condition (grade 1 in both STEP 2 and 3, i.e. "1,1").

The heart of STEP preparation is volume of past papers plus disciplined error review: master your A-level and Further Maths foundations, then work systematically through past STEP 2/3 papers, polishing your written reasoning on the long proof questions. Keep an error log, revisit it regularly, and add timed mock exams. For a structured pathway, see our prep guides.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between STEP 2 and STEP 3?

STEP 2 targets A-level Maths + Further Maths level and is mainly pure with some mechanics and statistics; STEP 3 is harder, covering the full Further Mathematics syllabus with markedly greater abstraction and depth. Cambridge Mathematics offers usually require both papers.

Do I have to answer all 12 questions?

No. STEP works on question choice: in 3 hours you typically complete about 6 questions. The strategy is to pick the ones you can finish properly — quality beats quantity.

How is STEP graded, and what does Cambridge ask for?

Each paper is graded S / 1 / 2 / 3 / U (S highest). Typical Cambridge Mathematics offers require grade 1 in both STEP 2 and STEP 3; some colleges or years ask for an S.

Is STEP much harder than A-level? How should I prepare?

Yes — STEP is hard, with longer, more open-ended questions centred on proof and multi-step reasoning. Build solid Further Maths foundations first, then work through plenty of past papers with thorough error review, plus timed mock exams. See our prep guides and practice modules.

When is STEP sat, and when do results come out?

STEP is normally sat in June, with results out in August alongside A-level results and passed automatically to universities. Entries usually close in May (through your school or an authorised centre) — check the official OCR website for exact dates.

Process

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STEP

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