Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP): Format, Fees, Registration, and Accepted Universities

Are you seeking admission to Mathematics or related courses in UK universities? Then, you must know about the Sixth Term Examination Paper or STEP. The STEP is a mandatory exam required by specific UK universities for admission. The examination tests applicants on questions that are similar to undergraduate-level mathematics. Many UK universities, including Cambridge, use this test to determine the mathematics skills and potential of students to do well in their undergraduate programs. You can read this article to learn about the STEP format, fees, and registration process. You will also learn about the STEP exam in Cambridge and other universities that accept the score.

Sixth Term Examination Paper: An Overview 

The STEP examination is a mandatory requirement for Cambridge University, the University of Warwick, and Imperial College London applicants. This is an undergraduate-level examination required for you to enrol in mathematics or related courses. The examination has two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Depending on your course and the university, you will have to take either or both papers.  Universities like Cambridge have made a part of their admission process for the following reasons:

1. STEP exam results are a better indicator of success in the Mathematical Tripos than A-levels.
2. The exam is less structured and enables universities to differentiate between the mathematical potential of students and good teaching.
3. The preparation for the STEP examination is more like preparation for an undergraduate course.
4. STEP allows a fair comparison of international applicants.
5. This allows educational institutions to make more offers to candidates who demonstrate mathematical potential at interviews but do not have mathematical skills due to educational disadvantage. For example, Cambridge University would motivate such students to prepare for the exam.

STEP Examination Format

As mentioned before, the STEP consists of 2 papers: Paper 2 and Paper 3.  This is a long-form written exam and requires a full, detailed answer. You need to demonstrate clear reasoning, method, and justification for your answers. Calculators are not allowed in the exam hall. This is a 3-hour examination.

Paper	Content Areas	Number of Questions	Question Breakdown	Scoring Method	Max Mark	Grades Available
STEP 2	A-level Maths + AS Further Maths	12	8 Pure, 2 Mechanics, 2 Stats	Best 6 answers counted, each /20	120	S, 1, 2, 3, U
STEP 3	A-level + Further Maths	12	8 Pure, 2 Mechanics, 2 Stats	Best 6 answers counted, each /20	120	S, 1, 2, 3, U

Did You Know? The STEP examination earlier consisted of STEP paper 1. However, this paper was removed. It is no longer in use. Therefore, you only have to take papers 2 and 3.

What is a Good STEP Score?

The Sixth Term Examination Paper does not have negative marking. This means you can attempt as many questions as you want without penalty for incorrect answers. The exam is marked out of 120 (6 best questions × 20 marks each). Cambridge STEP results are usually around Grade 1 (strong performance) or Grade S (exceptional). Only such applicants get admission to the university. The exam scores and their interpretation are provided below:

Grade	Description	Typical Score Range (approx.)	Interpretation
S	Outstanding	100–120 (STEP 2), 90–120 (STEP 3)	Exceptional performance, top-tier achievement
1	Very Good	~80–99 (STEP 2), ~70–89 (STEP 3)	Strong performance, meets top university offers
2	Good	~60–79	Solid understanding, some limitations
3	Satisfactory	~40–59	Basic grasp, but lacks full fluency
U	Ungraded	Below 40	Performance below the acceptable standard

What is the STEP Exam Cost?

The STEP examination fees vary depending on the location of the test centre. International candidates usually have a slightly higher fee requirement. The fees are provided below. Do note that you might be charged an administration fee depending on the test centre! 

S.No	Fee Type	Amount
1	Standard Fee (UK)	EUR 98.50
2	Standard Fee (Outside UK)	EUR 136.75 / EUR 159.75 / USD 177

Did you know? Late entry to the test centre may be permitted. However, additional fees are applicable. These fees can vary depending on the test centre.

How to Register for the Sixth Term Examination Paper?

Unlike other examinations, you cannot register for the STEP by yourself. You need to contact an authorised test centre (usually your school/college). The school or college needs to register you with the Oxford, Cambridge, and RSA (OCR). If you are unable to take the test at a school or college, you need to find the authorised open test centres. The STEP Cambridge registration process is as follows:

1. Ask the exam officer (test centre/school/college) to register you
2. Complete the test registration form. You must have a UCAS ID before registering.
3. Provide details of your name, DOB, and UCAS ID as they are entered on the UCAS application.
4. Ask for special arrangements if you require
5. Get the candidate entry number as proof of your registration
6. Ensure that you have paid the examination fee via NEFT.
7. Fill out the MS form. You will be asked for your UTR number (you will get after fee payment) at this stage.
8. Download the registration form and take a NEFT screenshot. Provide this to a test centre (if applicable).

As per British Council India, the STEP examination test centre numbers are provided below:

Test Centre	Test Centre Numbers
New Delhi	IN154
Mumbai	IN164
Chennai	IN164
Kolkata	IN166

Also Read: TMUA Exam Explained: Format, Universities Accepting, Fees, and Key Details

Which UK Universities Require STEP?

Several UK Universities accept STEP scores. However, the main universities that have made the Sixth Term Examination Paper mandatory are the University of Cambridge, Warwick University, and Imperial College London. The courses they mandatorily require you to take the STEP exam are also provided below:

S.No	University	Courses Where STEP is Mandatory	Courses Where STEP is Optional / Considered
1	University of Cambridge	Mathematics, Mathematics with Physics, Computer Science with Mathematics	Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Natural Sciences (if maths-focused)
2	University of Warwick	—	Mathematics (BSc/MMath), Mathematics and Statistics, MORSE, Data Science
3	Imperial College London	—	Mathematics (BSc), Computing (BEng/MEng), Joint Maths & CS, Economics & Data Science

UK Universities Accepting STEP Scores

The following are the UK universities that don’t necessarily expect students to take the STEP exam. It’s okay if you do not take the Sixth Term Examination Paper. However, if you do take this exam as a challenge, you can submit the results to these universities, and they will consider your results.

S.No	University	Relevant Courses Involving STEP
1	Durham University	Mathematics (BSc/MMath), Mathematics and Statistics (STEP strongly encouraged)
2	University College London	Mathematics, Maths & Stats, Maths & Physics, Maths with Management/Modern Languages (STEP/AEA considered for reduced offers)
3	University of Bath	Mathematics, Maths & Stats, Computer Science & Maths, Economics & Maths (STEP Grade 2 may offer)
4	University of Bristol	Certain mathematics-related courses (STEP may be required)
5	King’s College London	Mathematics (STEP may be required if only AS-level Maths is taken)

Did you know? UK universities give conditional offer letters to students. One of the conditions you have to fulfil to clear the STEP!

How Long After STEP Do You Get Results?

You can check the Sixth Term Examination Paper results after 3-4 weeks of the date of the examination. The results are generally released on a Wednesday. When the results are out, you will receive an email at your registered email address. You can check your results at the following websites:

1. Website of the organisation where you have taken the test
2. OCR website. It will redirect you to the Cambridge Assessment test portal. You can enter your PIN and log in to view the STEP Cambridge results.

The results are available on the website for up to a year.

How Hard is the Sixth Term Examination Paper?

The STEP examination is a difficult mathematics paper. This examination is harder than the typical A-level examinations and aims to assess university-level mathematical skills of the student. The paper is considered to be difficult due to the complex and lengthy questions. Below are some of the reasons why most students find the paper to be challenging.

1. You are asked questions that require high-level problem-solving skills. The questions asked are beyond the A-level curriculum.
2. You are given a limited time to answer these questions. 
3. If you make small errors, marks are deducted.
4. The exam is competitive, but there are no adequate practice materials available. This makes the exam difficult to crack.

Is STEP Harder than MAT?

Yes. The STEP Cambridge is harder than the Mathematics Admissions Test required by Oxford University.  Generally, you require a deeper understanding of the mathematics subject to clear the STEP. Questions are asked beyond the A-level syllabus. You need a higher grasp of pure mathematics and mechanics/statistics. On the other hand, the MAT examination also tests your problem-solving skills, but the questions are from the A-level syllabus.

Also Read: MAT Exam Registration 2025: An Oxford Application Guide

5 Tips to Prepare for the STEP 

Here are five tips you can use to prepare for the STEP examination.  The Sixth Term Examination Paper is considered one of the most difficult mathematics entrance examinations. Therefore, learning these tips will be useful for you to clear the paper.

1. Get an understanding of the examination format and syllabus; For example, you must know the STEP paper consists of 12 questions, but you only have to answer 6. 
2. Polish core math skills. You need to have a solid grasp of the mathematical concepts. This includes topics from A-level maths and further maths.
3. Make it a habit to practise STEP questions regularly. You can find several sample papers on the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing website.
4. Learn to manage your time. There are only 3 hours for you to solve the paper.
5. Develop a positive attitude. In case of doubts, seek assistance from a maths tutor or your school teacher.

To learn how you can do well in STEP maths for Cambridge, Warwick, and Imperial, watch this video:

The Sixth Term Examination Paper is considered a challenging examination as it requires you to have a solid understanding of mathematical concepts. However, with dedicated practice, you can clear this paper. Clearing the STEP examination will give you admission to the most coveted universities in the UK. For example, Cambridge University and Imperial College of London. The test scores are accepted by other UK universities as well, making the test worth taking.

FAQs

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