STEP meaning in Academic & Science ?

Sixth Term Examination Papers in Mathematics, often referred to as STEP, are university admissions tests for undergraduate Mathematics courses developed by the University of Cambridge.

STEP papers are typically taken post-interview, as part of a conditional offer of an undergraduate place. There are also a number of candidates who sit STEP papers as a challenge. The papers are designed to test ability to answer questions similar in style to undergraduate Mathematics.

Some official users of STEP Mathematics include: the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and the University of Warwick.Candidates applying to study Mathematics or Computer Science with Mathematics at the University of Cambridge are almost always required to take STEP papers as part of the terms of their conditional offer. In addition, other courses at Cambridge University with a large mathematics component, such as engineering occasionally require STEP. Candidates applying to study Mathematics or closely related subjects at the University of Warwick can take STEP as part of their offer. Imperial often requires STEP for their Computing courses, and may require it for Mathematics applicants (who otherwise take Oxford's Mathematical Admissions Test (MAT)).

A typical STEP offer for a candidate applying to read Mathematics at the University of Cambridge would be at least a grade 1 in both STEP2 and STEP 3. From 2019 some colleges may (depending on the individual applicant's circumstances) require a grade 1 in either STEP 1 or 2, (or in both). Candidates applying to the University of Warwick to read Mathematics, or closely related subjects, can use a grade 1 from any STEP paper as part of their offer. Imperial typically requires a grade 2 in STEP 2/3.