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Covid-19: STEP 2021
The final details for STEP 2021, including the test dates, have been delayed while we assess the Covid-19 situation and information about public exams. As soon as we have more information, we will update our website.
Please note: the content for STEP 2 and 3 will remain the same as previous years and the test specification will be published once arrangements for STEP 2021 are announced.
We ask that you do not contact our Helpdesk during this time as they have no further information at present.
You can find everything you need to prepare for STEP on this site, or linked to from here. You can practise the test with the past papers available for download.
From 2021, STEP 1 will no longer exist and only STEP 2 and STEP 3 will remain.
If you were planning to take STEP 1 as part of your university application, please check with your chosen university to see which alternative option(s) they will accept.
STEP past papers are available to download by year as zipped files. Each zipped file contains all three papers. Answers are included from 2004 onwards, and the Examiner’s Report also from 2007. Please note, past papers are based on the old test specifications. The style of the questions will remain unaltered, and most of the STEP questions from previous papers can be used for preparation. New specifications are available in the STEP resources section below for 2019 onwards, and students are advised to consult these when preparing.
2019 Past Papers (zip, 6.80 Mb) 2018 Past Papers (zip, 3.30 Mb) 2017 Past Papers (zip, 4.20 Mb) 2016 Past Papers (zip, 3.26 Mb) 2015 Past Papers (zip, 2.31 Mb) 2014 Past Papers (zip, 1.28 Mb) 2013 Past Papers (zip, 1.56 Mb) 2012 Past Papers (zip, 1.4 Mb) 2011 Past Papers (zip, 2.6 Mb) 2010 Past Papers (zip, 2.1 Mb) 2009 Past Papers (zip, 1.4 Mb) 2008 Past Papers (zip, 2.2 Mb) 2007 Past Papers (zip, 4.58 Mb) 2006 Past Papers (zip, 810 Kb) 2005 Past Papers (zip, 2.5 Mb) 2004 Past Papers (zip, 6 Mb) 2003 Past Papers (zip, 217 Kb) 2002 Past Papers (zip, 216 Kb) 2001 Past Papers (zip, 214 Kb) 2000 Past Papers (zip, 221 Kb) 1999 Past Papers (zip, 224 Kb) 1998 Past Papers (zip, 207 Kb)
Advanced Problems in Mathematics: Preparing for University This is a free online book that will help you prepare for STEP and for studying university-level Mathematics.
A database of all past STEP questions, searchable by topic, is available on the STEP Database: http://stepdatabase.maths.org
You can also find additional support and resources using the free online STEP Support Programme: https://maths.org/step
On this site you will also find a document showing how the old and new STEP specifications are related: https://maths.org/step/additional-resources
The STEP Support Programme have put together worked answers for the STEP 2019 papers: https://maths.org/step/worked-step-papers
Other useful sites: Underground Mathematics NRICH
These documents will help you understand how to answer questions when preparing for your STEP exam. They contain more detail and explanation than would be expected in the exam.
The example solutions and mark scheme have been produced from the 2011 STEP Mathematics Paper I.
2011 solutions and mark scheme 2011 STEP Mathematics paper I
The question paper covers have been reformatted, please see samples below:
