STEP, the Sixth Term Examination Paper, is an advanced mathematics examination used as part of the admissions process for mathematics programmes at Cambridge, Warwick, and a small number of other UK universities. It is also recommended — though not required — by Imperial College London and Bath.

STEP is sat in June, at the end of your A-level or baccalaureate year, and results are issued in August. For most students, STEP is included as a condition of their offer — a typical Cambridge Maths offer might read A*A*A with grades 1 in STEP II and STEP III. Failing to meet the STEP condition means the offer is withdrawn, regardless of A-level grades.

For French students on the baccalaureate applying to Cambridge or Warwick Mathematics, STEP is the single most significant additional test you will face. It is significantly harder than the baccalaureate content and requires a different mode of mathematical engagement.

Test structure

STEP consists of three separate papers: STEP I, STEP II, and STEP III. Each paper contains 13 questions across three sections — pure mathematics, mechanics, and probability/statistics. You choose any 6 questions to answer. The papers run 3 hours each.

STEP I draws on A-level Mathematics. STEP II and STEP III draw on A-level Further Mathematics. Cambridge typically requires STEP II and STEP III. Warwick may require STEP II or a combination.

Grades are: S (Outstanding), 1, 2, 3, and U. Grade 2 or better is considered a pass for offer purposes. Cambridge offers typically require at least Grade 2 in both papers, sometimes Grade 1 in one.

What makes STEP different

STEP questions are longer and more open-ended than anything on A-level or baccalaureate papers. A question might take 15 to 25 minutes. Rather than applying a known technique, you often need to see a non-obvious approach — an algebraic substitution, a geometric insight, or a way to reframe the problem.

Students who have not prepared specifically for STEP often find that strong A-level or bac results do not translate into strong STEP performance. The skills overlap but they are not the same. This is why Cambridge and Warwick use STEP: it identifies students who have genuinely engaged with mathematics beyond the syllabus.

How to prepare

Preparation should begin no later than November or December of the year before you sit, and ideally earlier. STEP is not an exam where last-minute revision is effective.

The official resource is the Cambridge STEP support programme, which provides worked examples, guidance by topic, and past papers going back several decades — all free. Working through past questions by topic first builds the relevant skills more efficiently than starting cold on timed papers.

The most important habit to develop is writing up solutions properly. STEP is marked on the quality of your mathematical reasoning, not just the final answer. Many students lose marks by reaching the right answer through unclear or incomplete working.

For French baccalaureate students, the algebra and analysis content maps reasonably well onto Spécialité Mathématiques and Mathématiques Expertes. Mechanics and probability sections require more preparation, since these topics are covered differently in the French curriculum.

Timing and registration

International students sit STEP at a registered centre abroad, including authorised centres in France. You register through your school or, if your school is not a registered centre, through an independent one. STEP II and III are typically sat in mid-June.

YourDreamSchool’s STEP preparation

YourDreamSchool supports students applying to Cambridge, Warwick, and Imperial for mathematics programmes who need to prepare for STEP II and STEP III. Our preparation covers:

• Initial diagnostic work to assess where your preparation stands relative to STEP demands
• Topic-by-topic guided work through the STEP syllabus with emphasis on the pure mathematics sections
• Timed practice sessions on full papers with marking and written feedback
• Coordination with your overall Cambridge application — UCAS personal statement, admissions assessment, interview if you receive one

To discuss your situation — what papers you’ll need, what your current level is, and how to structure your preparation — book a free 10-minute consultation.