About STEP

About the Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP)

STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) Mathematics is a well-established mathematics examination designed to test candidates on questions that are similar in style to undergraduate mathematics.

STEP is used by the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick. Other universities sometimes ask candidates to take STEP as part of their offer – in such cases, the university can advise on which papers to take.

There are also a number of candidates who sit STEP papers as a challenge.

STEP answer booklet information

Candidates should be aware of the following:

• The answer booklets will be 48 pages long, with 44 ruled pages on which to write. The format of the first three pages has changed as STEP will be fully anonymised before it is marked. Candidates must complete pages 1 and 3 of the answer booklet with their details, and they must not write their names or any other identifying information anywhere else in the answer booklet.
• Candidates should submit one answer booklet only per STEP paper.
• Candidates must not attach any extra sheets to the booklet. If any extra sheets are attached, they will be removed and they will not be marked.
• The first page of the answer booklet will be perforated so that it can be detached before marking as part of the anonymisation process. Candidates must NOT remove this first page from their answer booklets.
• Candidates should cross out all their rough work. Crossed out work will not be marked.
• If a candidate makes more than one attempt at a question they must cross out all but the one they wish to have marked. If they do not do so, only their first attempt will be marked, unless a later attempt is clearly substantially more complete.

The 48-page answer booklet has been reformatted, please see below a sample of the first few pages:

• Sample of the first three pages of the answer booklet

STEP test format

The test consists of up to three 3-hour paper-based examinations: STEP 1, STEP 2 and STEP 3. Candidates are usually required to sit either one or two of the examinations, depending on the requirements of the universities they have applied to.

A lined answer booklet is provided for each paper. Graph paper is not provided, as the test requires only sketches, not detailed graphs. There is no longer a formulae booklet for STEP Mathematics examinations.

STEP Specifications 2019 

Please note, the STEP specifications for 2020 will include minor revisions from the previous year and will be made available shortly. 

STEP papers

Paper	Test format	Questions	Timing
STEP Mathematics 1 (9465)	The paper consists of 11 questions.	Candidates choose 6 questions to answer	3 hours
STEP Mathematics 2 (9470)	The paper consists of 12 questions.	Candidates choose 6 questions to answer	3 hours
STEP Mathematics 3 (9475)	The paper consists of 12 questions.	Candidates choose 6 questions to answer	3 hours

For further information on the questions in each paper, see the STEP Specifications above.

You are advised to choose no more than six questions to answer, but there’s no restriction on which questions you choose. All questions carry equal marks and your final mark will be based on the six questions for which you gain the highest marks.

Changes to STEP from 2019

The following changes will be implemented for the 2019 examinations:

• the specifications will be updated to reflect the reforms in A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics;
• the number of questions in each paper will decrease.

STEP 1 is based on A Level Mathematics. The paper has 11 questions across two sections: the first contains 8 pure questions, and the second contains 3 questions, at least one of which will be on mechanics, at least one of which will be on probability/statistics, and a third either on mechanics or probability/statistics.

STEP 2 is based on A Level Mathematics and AS Level Further Mathematics. The paper has 12 questions across three sections: the first contains 8 pure questions, the second contains 2 mechanics questions, and the third contains 2 probability/statistics questions.

STEP 3 is based on A Level Mathematics and A Level Further Mathematics. The paper has 12 questions across three sections: the first contains 8 pure questions, the second contains 2 mechanics questions, and the third contains 2 probability/statistics questions. 

The style of the questions will remain unaltered, and most of the STEP questions from previous papers can be used for preparation. 

As before, each question will have the maximum mark of 20. In each paper, candidates will be assessed on the six questions best answered; no restriction will be placed on the number of questions that may be attempted from any section and all questions attempted will be marked. 

The marking scheme for each question will be designed to reward candidates who make good progress towards a complete solution. Correct answers always receive full marks, whatever the method used. 

Questions may test a candidate’s ability to apply mathematical knowledge in novel and unfamiliar ways and will often require knowledge of several different specification topics. Solutions will frequently require insight, ingenuity, persistence and the ability to work through substantial sequences of algebraic manipulation.