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 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.
STEP test format
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.
The test consists of up to two 3-hour paper-based examinations: 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.
Graph paper is not needed, as the test requires only sketches, not detailed graphs. There is no longer a formulae booklet for STEP Mathematics examinations.
For more detailed information about the format of STEP, see the 2024 STEP specification.
| Paper | Test format | Questions | Duration |
| STEP Mathematics 2 | The paper consists of 12 questions | Candidates choose 6 questions to answer | 3 hours |
| STEP Mathematics 3 | The paper consists of 12 questions | Candidates choose 6 questions to answer | 3 hours |
Registration opens on 1 March 2024 and closes on 1 May 2024.