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STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) Mathematics is a well-established mathematics examination designed to test candidates on questions that are similar in style to undergraduate mathematics.
There are two papers for STEP: paper 2 and paper 3. Candidates will usually be advised by their chosen university which paper(s) they are required to take as part of their offer.
The STEP test dates are usually in June each year and are designed to fit in with the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) cycle for applications. See the key dates for the latest test dates.
In the UK, the test will take place at 9am. For international centres the scheduled start times will vary, depending upon where they are in the world.
Students who have received offers from certain courses at the University of Cambridge, the University of Warwick or Imperial College London will normally be required to sit STEP as a post-interview test. Other universities may take STEP results into account.
Usually, the university will specify which papers the students need to sit in their offer letter. If in doubt, students should contact the university directly.
For detailed information about the format of STEP, students should see the specification (updated for the June 2026 series).
You can find a lot of material to help prepare for STEP, including past papers, in the student area of our website.
In order to offer STEP examinations, centres need to be approved.
If your centre has previously made entries for the STEP examinations, your centre will normally continue to be approved to run STEP Mathematics.
If you have not previously run STEP or are not sure whether your centre is approved to offer STEP, please contact our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998 or at STEPmaths@ocr.org.uk, making sure you provide your centre details.
Please see the following pages for more information.