STEP Preparation: Sixth Term Examination Paper Guide for Cambridge and Warwick
STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is an advanced mathematics examination used by Cambridge, Warwick, Imperial and sometimes other universities. Whether you need one paper or both depends on your course and offer; check the university’s current requirements.
Where STEP is part of a conditional offer, the offer specifies the required papers and grades. If your results do not meet a condition, contact the university about its decision; admission is not determined by a universal STEP pass mark.
Students studying the French baccalaureate should compare their preparation with the STEP specification and practise explaining extended mathematical arguments in English.
Test structure
There are two current examinations: STEP 2 and STEP 3. Under the specification used from 2026, each lasts three hours and contains 12 questions: eight in pure mathematics, two in mechanics and two in probability/statistics. Your six best answers determine the paper’s score.
STEP 2 draws on A-level Mathematics and AS-level Further Mathematics. STEP 3 draws on A-level Mathematics and A-level Further Mathematics. Use the current OCR specification to check the exact syllabus.
The grade scale is S, 1, 2, 3 and U. The grade needed for admission depends on the conditions of your individual offer, rather than a single grade applying to every university.
What makes STEP different
STEP uses extended problems that may combine several topics. Practise choosing an approach, developing an argument and showing each stage of your working clearly.
Strong school results do not remove the need to become familiar with STEP-style questions. Use practice work to identify specific gaps in problem-solving and written solutions.
How to prepare
Build a preparation plan early enough to review the syllabus, work through problems and practise full papers. The time needed depends on your starting point and the papers required by your offer.
OCR links to the free Cambridge STEP support programme and provides past papers, solutions and examiner reports. Start with the official preparation resources, checking the current specification when using older 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.
If you study in French, review the English terminology and compare each topic in the STEP specification with what you have covered at school.
Timing and registration
An authorised test centre must register you for STEP; candidates cannot register themselves directly. Contact your school’s exams officer or an authorised centre and request confirmation of your entry. Check OCR registration instructions and the calendar and fees for your exam year. A centre may set an earlier internal deadline.
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 : contact our team.
Test-format and registration references checked on 28 September 2026: OCR STEP overview and scoring and results.