🏛 Exam Introduction
- Test: Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP) in Mathematics
- Papers: STEP 2 and STEP 3 (STEP 1 discontinued)
- Used by: University of Cambridge (normally asks for both papers), plus Warwick and Imperial (and a few others). maths.cam.ac.uk+1
📅 Key Dates (2026 — indicative, based on 2025 pattern)
Official 2026 timetable is released by OCR each spring. Expect a similar window to 2025:
- Registration opens: early March
- Registration closes / Access arrangements deadline: early May
- STEP 2 test day: mid-June
- STEP 3 test day: mid-June (about 5 days after STEP 2)
- Results released: mid-August
(2025 exacts for reference: Reg open 1 Mar 2025; close 4 May 2025; test days 11 Jun (STEP 2) & 16 Jun (STEP 3); results 14 Aug 2025.) ocr.org.uk
Bookmark OCR’s Key dates & fees page and check again when 2026 opens. ocr.org.uk
🧾 Pattern, Syllabus & Marking
- Each paper: 3 hours, 12 questions → 8 Pure, 2 Mechanics, 2 Statistics/Probability.
- Attempt any questions; only your best six count toward the final mark.
- Marks: each question /20 → paper maximum 120.
- Grades: S (Outstanding), 1 (Very Good), 2 (Good), 3 (Satisfactory), U.
- Syllabus level:
- STEP 2: A-level Maths + AS Further Maths (or equivalent)
- STEP 3: Typical Further Maths A-level breadth (similar difficulty to STEP 2, broader spec) maths.cam.ac.uk+1
🎯 Who Should Take STEP?
- Applicants to Cambridge Mathematics (and some related courses) are normally asked to take both STEP 2 & 3 as part of a conditional offer. Other universities may recommend/consider STEP. maths.cam.ac.uk+1
🎓 Typical Cambridge Offers (context)
- Cambridge often conditions on A A A** (A-levels) plus grades in STEP (commonly 1,1; sometimes variations). Always check your college’s current requirement. Cambridge Undergraduate Study
📝 Registration (How to Apply)
- You must register via an authorised centre (your school/college or an open test centre).
- If your school isn’t a centre, they can apply to become one, or you find an authorised open centre.
- Provide to your centre: name/DoB/UCAS number, course codes, access arrangements (with evidence) before the registration deadline. ocr.org.uk
💰 Fees (reference: 2025)
- Outside UK: £136.75 / $177 / €159.75 per paper (centres may add local admin fee).
- UK: £98.50 per paper.
- Post-results services: results enquiry/appeal carry per-paper fees. (Fees may change each year.) ocr.org.uk
📄 Score Reporting & Results
- Results are released in mid-August to candidates and made available to universities. Some colleges review both marks and scripts (can use discretion on near-misses). ocr.org.uk+1
🧠 Preparation Essentials
- Work through past papers and full mark schemes (free on OCR).
- Use Cambridge’s free STEP Support Programme (NRICH) with modules and worked videos.
- Expect longer, unstructured problems—train for clarity, rigour, and algebraic stamina. maths.cam.ac.uk
🧳 Exam-Day Basics
- Arrive early with the same ID used for registration, follow centre rules (permitted calculators, stationery), and manage time to attempt at least six strong questions.
🔗 Official Links
- Cambridge (Faculty of Mathematics) — STEP overview & format. maths.cam.ac.uk
- OCR — STEP: key dates, fees, registration, scoring, past papers. ocr.org.uk+2ocr.org.uk+2
- Cambridge Undergraduate Admissions — STEP info & entry requirements. Cambridge Undergraduate Study+1