STEP support programme
The free online STEP support programme is offered by the University of Cambridge to help any university applicants develop their advanced mathematical problem-solving skills and prepare for STEP mathematics exams.
Help is available on How to use the STEP support programme and support for teachers as well as a free book that will help you prepare for STEP and for studying university-level mathematics:
Past papers, resources and helpful links
In addition to the STEP support programme we provide past papers, solutions and mark schemes. We also recommend downloading the STEP specification as it provides a detailed overview of the test content. Please note: the specification is currently being prepared for summer 2025 to update the front cover and introduction.
Past papers
These documents will help you understand how to answer questions when preparing for your STEP exam. They contain more detail and explanation than would be expected in the exam.
STEP 2 and STEP 3 past question papers and examiner reports are available in zipped files below. STEP 2024 papers will be published before the end of December 2024.
We also offer STEP legacy past papers should you require further preparation or need further challenges.
Solutions and mark schemes
These documents will help you understand how to answer questions when preparing for your STEP exam. They contain more detail and explanation than would be expected in the exam.
The example solutions and mark scheme have been produced from the 2011 STEP Mathematics Paper I.
STEP shade in a circle
In the answer booklet, candidates must show which question they are answering by shading in a circle on each page.
Please see samples below: