Sixth Term Examination Paper

Sixth Term Examination Papers in Mathematics, often referred to as STEP (or redundantly as STEP papers), are examinations set by the University of Cambridge in England to assess applicants for its undergraduate mathematics course. Results from STEP papers are used to supplement candidates' existing exam results, which the university often claims are insufficient to distinguish between the very brightest applicants.

All but one of the Cambridge colleges require candidates to achieve good STEP grades before accepting them onto the maths course. The notable exception is King's College, which does not demand STEP, and is consequently one of the most popular colleges for mathematics applicants.

3 STEP Maths papers are set each year, and candidates will normally take 2 of these, depending on how much mathematics they have studied at school. STEP papers were originally available for other subjects, such as chemistry and biology, but the mathematics STEP paper is the only one still in use. STEP Maths grades are also occasionally required for other courses, such as computer science and engineering.

The University of Warwick also uses STEP papers in its admissions process, but their STEP exams are overseen by Cambridge.

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