Which universities require STEP?

STEP is most commonly required as a condition of offer for Cambridge Mathematics, Mathematics with Physics, and joint courses involving Mathematics. Warwick Mathematics also uses STEP as part of some offer conditions. A handful of other universities accept STEP results as an alternative or supplementary qualification. STEP is rarely used at the application stage; it is almost always an offer-condition requirement.

How is STEP different from TMUA?

TMUA is taken at the application stage in October and tests mathematical reasoning at A-Level standard with multiple choice questions. STEP is taken in June after your A-Level or IB exams and consists of long-form proof-style questions substantially harder than A-Level mathematics. Cambridge Mathematics applicants typically take both: TMUA at application stage, STEP as a condition of the conditional offer.

What is a typical Cambridge STEP offer?

Cambridge Mathematics offers typically require grades 1, 1 in STEP 2 and STEP 3 (or sometimes S, 1). Trinity College and some others may require an S grade in at least one paper. Cambridge Mathematics with Physics typically requires similar STEP grades. Always check the exact offer your specific college will make.

Should I take STEP 1, 2, or 3?

STEP 1 was retired after 2020 and is no longer offered. Current STEP papers are STEP 2 and STEP 3. Cambridge offers typically specify both STEP 2 and STEP 3. STEP 3 is the harder paper and covers Further Mathematics material; STEP 2 covers standard A-Level Mathematics extended with deeper proof.

How early should I start preparing for STEP?

Earlier than you might think. STEP requires a fundamentally different approach to mathematics than A-Level or IB, focused on extended proof, problem decomposition, and persistence on hard problems. Many successful STEP candidates begin foundational preparation in Year 12 (a full year before the June sitting), with structured weekly work. Starting only after receiving a Cambridge offer in January typically leaves too little time.

STEP Preparation Guide for Hong Kong Students

1. What is STEP?

STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is a long-form Mathematics examination designed to test problem-solving and proof skills substantially beyond the A-Level Mathematics curriculum. It is used by Cambridge as a condition of offer for Mathematics and joint Mathematics courses, and by a small number of other universities (notably Warwick) for similar purposes.

Unlike most admissions tests, STEP is sat after the application cycle is complete, in June of your final school year. It is not used to shortlist for interview. Instead, it is used to filter candidates who have already received a conditional offer.

2. STEP structure

The current STEP papers are STEP 2 and STEP 3. STEP 1 was retired after 2020 and is no longer offered.

STEP 2 — 3 hours, 12 questions (8 pure mathematics, 2 mechanics, 2 statistics). Candidates attempt 6 questions. Tests A-Level Mathematics extended with deeper proof and problem-solving structure.
STEP 3 — 3 hours, 12 questions (similar structure). Covers Further Mathematics material plus harder problem-solving than STEP 2. Cambridge Mathematics offers typically specify both papers.

Each question is worth 20 marks, and only the 6 best-attempted questions count towards your score. This means strategic question selection matters: it is often better to commit fully to 6 strong attempts than to scatter effort across all 12.

3. STEP scoring and grades

STEP grades are:

S (Outstanding) — the highest grade, awarded for exceptional performance
1 — Very Good
2 — Good
3 — Satisfactory
U — Unclassified

Cambridge Mathematics offers typically require grades 1, 1 in STEP 2 and STEP 3. Some colleges (notably Trinity) require an S grade in at least one paper. The exact requirement depends on the college and the specific course (Mathematics, Mathematics with Physics, etc.).

4. When STEP is sat

STEP is sat in June of your application year, after most A-Level and IB exams are complete. Results are released in mid-August, alongside or shortly after A-Level results. Cambridge offers are confirmed on results day once both A-Level and STEP grades are available.

5. HK-specific preparation strategies

HK students with strong A-Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, IB Higher Level Mathematics, or DSE M1/M2 have the foundation for STEP, but the test requires a fundamentally different approach than school exams. Three things matter most:

Persistence on hard problems. A typical STEP question requires 25 to 35 minutes of focused work. Students used to faster school-style questions need to build the stamina for sustained problem solving.
Proof and rigour. STEP rewards correctly structured proofs more than computational answers. The HK curriculum focuses more on computation; building proof technique requires deliberate practice.
Strategic question selection. Only 6 questions count out of 12. Spending five minutes scanning the paper and picking the right 6 is one of the highest-leverage decisions you make on the day.
Practice volume. STEP rewards exposure to a wide library of question types. Past papers (especially the STEP 2 and STEP 3 archives from previous years) are the single most important resource.

6. Recommended preparation timeline

For a June STEP sitting:

12 months out (start of Year 12): Begin STEP-foundation work alongside A-Level Mathematics. STEP 1 archive papers (still available though no longer offered) are useful at this stage.
Six months out: Move to STEP 2 past papers systematically. Target one full paper every two weeks under timed conditions.
Three months out: Move to STEP 3 alongside continued STEP 2 work. Identify weak question types and drill them.
One month out: Full STEP 2 and STEP 3 mocks weekly. Review every question carefully.
Week of: Light review only. Do not burn out before the test.

See our STEP practice papers for available official materials.

Working with UNIKEY on STEP preparation

We offer structured STEP preparation as part of our admissions test prep service for Hong Kong students with Cambridge Mathematics offers and other STEP-required conditions. The programme focuses on proof technique, problem decomposition, strategic question selection, and high-volume past-paper work with marked feedback from consultants who scored highly on STEP themselves. Many of our Cambridge Mathematics students also prepare for TMUA at the application stage. See our admissions test preparation service or our Oxbridge admissions service.