STEP 対策ガイド

対策ガイド

Sixth Term Examination Paper 対策ガイド

試験形式・採点方法・重要日程・対策戦略と専門家によるサポートを解説します。

STEP 概要

Duration

3 hours per paper

STEP 2 + STEP 3

Papers

2

STEP 2 (required), STEP 3 (Cambridge)

Best 6 scored

Out of ~12

You attempt your best 6 from 12

Pass grade

1, 2, or S

S = outstanding

Cambridge offer

1, 1

STEP 2 + STEP 3

Cost

£100+ per paper

重要日程

Spring term

Registration

Through your school exam officer.

June

STEP 2 Exam

3-hour written paper.

June

STEP 3 Exam

3-hour written paper, typically a few days after STEP 2.

August

Results Released

Released alongside A-Level results.

保護者・受験生向け日本語ガイド

Sixth Term Examination Paper（第6学期試験問題）

このテストとは

STEPはCambridgeの数学系学科への出願に必要な非常に難しい記述式数学試験です。A-Levelとは異なり、問題は独創的で深い数学的理解を要求します。Cambridgeはほぼすべての数学・コンピュータサイエンス志願者にSTEP 2または3（あるいは両方）を要求します。

誰が受験する必要があるか

主にCambridge数学・数学＋コンピュータサイエンス（必須）。他の一部大学もWarwickなどがSTEPを奨励・参考にします。

試験の形式

  • ▸STEP 2・STEP 3：それぞれ独立した試験
  • ▸各試験3時間、約12問中6問を選んで解答（記述式）
  • ▸採点：1S・2S・1・2・3・U（SはAより上の最高評価）
  • ▸Cambridge数学合格の典型的な要件：STEP 2で少なくとも2、STEP 3で少なくとも2

日本での受験について

STEPはBritish CouncilまたはIDP認定の試験センターを通じて日本でも受験可能ですが、会場は限られています。試験日前に日本で受験できるか必ず確認してください。British Councilジャパンへの問い合わせを推奨します。

受験料（海外）

海外受験：£180〜220程度（Cambridge Assessment公式サイトで確認）

受験時期

6月実施（A-Level試験と同時期）。これはCambridgeから条件付き合格通知を受けた後に受験します。つまりA-Level試験と同じ時期に受験することになります。

重要：STEPはA-Levelよりはるかに難しく、専用の対策が必要です。Cambridge数学を目指すお子様には、Year 12（高校2年生相当）から準備を始めることを強くお勧めします。

無料相談でご質問を（日本語可）→公式サイト（英語）

以下は詳細情報（英語）です。お子様と一緒にご確認いただくか、講師にご相談ください。

STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is normally a post-offer mathematics examination — Cambridge uses STEP grades as the maths-grade condition on offers for Mathematics and Mathematics with Physics. It is sat in June after offers are made, and is graded S, 1, 2, 3, or U.

STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is normally a post-offer examination, not a pre-interview admissions test. Cambridge uses STEP as the maths-grade condition on offers for Mathematics and Mathematics with Physics; Warwick and Imperial accept STEP within some Mathematics offers.

STEP is fundamentally different from A-Level Mathematics. Questions are long, unstructured, and require you to construct proofs, develop arguments, and apply mathematical reasoning in unfamiliar contexts.

For 2027 entry, applicants typically sit STEP 2 and STEP 3 in June after their Cambridge offer is made — not as part of pre-interview shortlisting. Always check the specific conditions on your offer.

01

セクション 01

試験形式

Each STEP paper is 3 hours long and contains 12 questions across Pure Mathematics, Mechanics, and Statistics / Probability. You choose which questions to attempt, and your best 6 answers are marked.

There is no multiple choice. Every question requires a full written solution with mathematical working and justification.

STEP 3 covers a wider syllabus including Further Mathematics content and is harder than STEP 2. Cambridge Mathematics offers typically require both papers.

STEP 2

Duration
3 hours
Format
12 questions; best 6 marked

STEP 3

Duration
3 hours
Format
12 questions; best 6 marked

合計時間: 3 hours per paper. Grades awarded: S, 1, 2, 3, U.

02

セクション 02

採点・スコア帯と大学の評価

Each question is marked out of 20. Your total score from your best 6 questions (out of 120) is converted to one of five official grades: S, 1, 2, 3, or U.

Cambridge typically requires a grade 1 in both STEP 2 and STEP 3 as a condition of offer, though some offers may specify an S grade. Always check the specific wording on your offer.

Year-to-year grade boundaries vary with cohort difficulty; a score that earns a grade 1 in one cycle may differ from another. Use the official grade descriptors rather than informal "pass / fail" language when discussing STEP outcomes.

スコア分布

STEP 2 (Mathematics II) — June 2024 cohort

0%20%40%U: 25.05%UGrade 3: 37.39%Grade 3Grade 2: 17.71%Grade 2Grade 1: 13.73%Grade 1Grade S: 6.12%Grade SGrade awarded% of candidates
All candidatesCambridge offer condition (Grade 1 / S)
Source: OCR STEP June 2024 — Mathematics II grade distribution

スコア帯ごとの現実的な出願結果

Top decileS in both papersExceptional — top of the Cambridge cohort

A double-S profile is rare and lifts borderline applications. Most Cambridge Maths offer-holders score 1–1, not S–S.

Cambridge
Strong1 in both papersStandard Cambridge Maths offer met

The published offer is "1, 1" in STEP 2 + 3. Hitting this confirms the offer; missing it is the most common reason offers are lost.

CambridgeWarwick (uses STEP 2)Imperial (some courses)
Average2 in either paperCambridge offer at risk

Many offers are downgraded or withdrawn at this level — though every cycle a small number of "near-miss" candidates are confirmed if predicted grades held.

Below band3 / UCambridge offer typically lost

The fallback is usually a Warwick or Imperial offer that has lower STEP requirements (or none). Resit in autumn is rare.

03

セクション 03

対象大学とコース

STEPを要求する大学とコース、スコアの活用方法、競争力のあるスコア帯の一覧です。

  • Cambridge1, 1

    Mathematics, Computer Science with Maths

    Offer condition

    The published Mathematics offer is grades 1 in both STEP 2 and STEP 3.

  • WarwickGrade 1 in STEP 2

    Mathematics

    Offer condition

    Used as a flexible offer — STEP grade can replace AAA requirement.

  • Imperial

    Some Maths offers

    Tiebreaker

    STEP can be added to an offer to give a route around missed A-level grades.

04

セクション 04

対策戦略

01

Quality, not coverage

Markers reward 6 complete, well-justified solutions over 12 partial attempts. Strong candidates pick fewer questions and finish them.

02

Read the question twice before starting

STEP questions are layered — the early parts often hint at the technique needed for the later parts. Skipping the build-up costs 8+ marks per question.

03

Proof technique fluency

Induction, contradiction, and direct construction appear in nearly every paper. Drill the templates until they're automatic.

04

Past papers are the curriculum

STEP has 25+ years of papers, all freely available. Use Siklos for the bridge from A-level, then work backwards from the most recent papers.

05

Mock under exam conditions

A 3-hour STEP mock is exhausting; you need stamina training. Sit at least 4 full mocks under exam conditions before May.

Prioritise depth over breadth. Markers reward 6 complete, well-justified solutions over 12 partial attempts.

Read questions twice before starting. STEP questions are layered — early parts often hint at the technique needed for the harder later parts.

Drill proof techniques: induction, contradiction, and direct construction appear in nearly every paper.

Past papers are the curriculum. STEP has 25+ years of papers, all freely available — work backwards from the most recent.

05

セクション 05

学習スケジュール

  1. 01

    6m+ out

    4–5h

    Bridge from A-level to STEP style

    • Work through Siklos Advanced Problems in Mathematics
    • STEP Support Programme assignments
    • Build proof technique repertoire
  2. 02

    4–6m out

    8–10h

    STEP 2 papers, working backwards

    • One STEP 2 paper per week
    • Detailed solution write-up — not just answer-checking
    • Build your own technique library by topic
  3. 03

    2–4m out

    10–12h

    STEP 3 papers + timed mocks

    • Alternate STEP 2 / STEP 3 weekly
    • 2 full timed mocks
    • Refine question selection strategy
  4. 04

    1–2m out

    8–10h

    Stamina + sharpness

    • Weekly full mock
    • Daily one timed question
    • Logistics: paper, food, stamina plan

6+ months out: bridge from A-Level to STEP style with Siklos's Advanced Problems in Mathematics and the STEP Support Programme.

4–6 months out: STEP 2 past papers, working backwards. Detailed solution write-up, not just answer-checking.

2–4 months out: STEP 3 papers and timed mocks. Refine question-selection strategy.

Final 1–2 months: weekly full mocks under exam conditions. Daily one timed question. Build stamina.

06

セクション 06

よくある失敗と講師サポート

Question scatter

Weak

“"I attempted all 12 questions and finished none."”

Strong

“"I read all 12 in the first 10 minutes, picked 6, and committed."”

Why it matters: Best-6 scoring rewards depth not breadth. Scattering across 12 questions guarantees no question reaches the marks-rich part.

Skipping the setup

Weak

“"I jumped to part (iii) because parts (i) and (ii) looked easy."”

Strong

“"I worked parts (i) and (ii) carefully — they fed the substitution part (iii) needed."”

Why it matters: STEP questions are constructed so that early parts unlock later parts. Skipping setup throws away 5–10 marks per question.

Unjustified shortcuts

Weak

“"I quoted a result from FM and applied it without proof."”

Strong

“"I either proved the result in 2 lines or used a long-form alternative."”

Why it matters: STEP markers want to see your reasoning, not your knowledge. A correct answer with no working can score zero on harder questions.

The biggest STEP mistakes are attempting too many questions superficially, weak proof structure, and not showing sufficient working.

A specialist tutor can identify gaps in your mathematical toolkit, teach efficient proof techniques, and help you develop the judgment to pick the right questions under exam pressure.

07

セクション 07

練習リソース・問題バンク

Past STEP 2 and STEP 3 papers from 1990 onwards, along with mark schemes, are freely available on the OCR / Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing website.

The STEP Support Programme (STEP support modules at maths.org and Cambridge Faculty of Mathematics) is structured preparation aligned to the test specification.

Stephen Siklos's "Advanced Problems in Mathematics" is the canonical bridge text from A-Level to STEP-style problem-solving.

08

セクション 08

登録・手続き

STEP registration is through your school exam centre, usually in the spring term. The exam is sat in June.

International candidates arrange a STEP test centre through their school or a registered exam centre.

STEP is graded by OCR; results are released in August alongside A-Level results.

09

セクション 09

海外受験生向けガイド

International applicants arrange a STEP test centre through their school or a Cambridge-recognised exam centre. Confirm centre availability early in the spring term.

STEP is graded against UK standards regardless of where you sit it. There is no international discount on grade thresholds.

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