STEP About the Test
STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is a well-established mathematics examination, which has been designed to test candidates on questions that are similar in style to undergraduate mathematics. It is used by the University of Cambridge as the basis for conditional offers. There are also a number of candidates who sit STEP papers as a challenge. Other universities may ask candidates to take STEP as part of their offer, candidates should consult with their university regarding which papers to take.
Background and development of STEP
Test Format
Cambridge Assessment is responsible for producing and marking STEP. It consists of three 3 hour examinations, STEP I, STEP II and STEP III. Candidates are usually required to sit either one or two of the examinations, depending on the requirements of the universities they have applied to. It is not possible to take STEP I and STEP III in the same year.
The syllabus for STEP I and STEP II is based on A level content whilst the syllabus for STEP III is based on Further Mathematics A level. The questions on STEP II and STEP III are the same difficulty and harder than those in STEP I. Candidates are only expected to have knowledge of topics within the A level syllabus. Candidates who are not studying Further Mathematics will not be expected to sit STEP III.
Lined answer sheets and a formula booklet will be provided for each paper. From June 2009 graph paper will no longer be used by candidates in the STEP examinations. As all the graphs required are sketches, it is neither necessary nor appropriate for candidates to produce detailed graphs on graph paper. Instead all graphs should be sketched inside the answer booklets alongside their answer to the question.
Calculators may not be used during STEP.
STEP Papers
Paper |
What does it test? |
Questions |
Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEP Mathematics I (9465) | The paper consists of 13 questions – 8 Pure Mathematics, 3 Mechanics and 2 Probability & Statistics based on A Level Mathematics content |
Candidates should choose any 6 questions to answer |
3 hours |
| STEP Mathematics II (9470) | The paper consists of 13 questions – 8 Pure Mathematics, 3 Mechanics and 2 Probability & Statistics based on A Level Mathematics content |
Candidates should choose any 6 questions to answer |
3 hours |
| STEP Mathematics III (9475) | The paper consists of 13 questions – 8 Pure Mathematics, 3 Mechanics and 2 Probability & Statistics based on A Level Further Mathematics content |
Candidates should choose any 6 questions to answer |
3 hours |
Scoring
All STEP questions are marked out of 20. The mark scheme for each question is designed to reward candidates who make good progress towards a solution. A candidate reaching the correct answer will receive full marks, regardless of the method used to answer the question.
All the questions that are attempted by a student will be marked. However, only the 6 best answers will be used in the calculation of the final grade for the paper.
There are five grades for STEP Mathematics which are
S – Outstanding
1 – Very Good
2 – Good
3 – Satisfactory
U – Unclassified
Usually a candidate who answers 4 questions well (not perfectly) will be awarded a grade 1 for that paper.
Distribution of results for STEP 2009
Distribution of results for STEP 2008
Distribution of results for STEP 2007
Candidate Numbers
Number of candidates sitting each STEP paper by year
Year | STEP Paper I | STEP Paper II | STEP Paper III |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 353 | 565 | 430 |
| 2006 | 389 | 614 | 451 |
| 2007 | 565 | 712 | 483 |
| 2008 | 697 | 851 | 552 |
| 2009 | 908 | 917 | 528 |
Delivery
STEP I and STEP III will take place on 21st June 2010 in the afternoon, STEP II will take place on 23rd June 2010 in the morning. The majority of candidates will sit the STEP at their own school or college; other candidates should use the Open Centre Network to locate a centre.
STEP papers will be delivered to centres 7-10 days before the date of the test.
Results
A statement of results will be issued to each candidate on 19th August 2010. Candidates and centres will be able to download their results using our online results sites:
Results Online - Candidates
Results Online - Centres
Results Online Information (PDF)
Results will be passed to institutions through UCAS for use in their admissions processes. The use of results varies between institutions; candidates should contact the institution(s) to which they have applied to in order to find out how their results will be used.
Unlike A level, Cambridge candidates’ answers are available to Cambridge admissions officers, so that they are able to make judgments on candidates who miss their offer on the basis of their actual work, rather than on just their marks or grade.
Paper |
Content |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| STEP Mathematics I (9465) | 13 questions – 8 Pure Mathematics, 3 Mechanics and 2 Probability & Statistics | 3 hours |
| STEP Mathematics II (9470) | 13 questions – 8 Pure Mathematics, 3 Mechanics and 2 Probability & Statistics | 3 hours |
| STEP Mathematics III (9475) | 13 questions – 8 Pure Mathematics, 3 Mechanics and 2 Probability & Statistics | 3 hours |
STEP
Background & Research
Information about the need for STEP
Dates & Costs
Find out when tests are taking place and how much they cost
Registration
Information for candidates and teachers about the STEP registration process
Results
Information about STEP results