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STEP marking

Does anyone know exactly how the marking for STEP is conducted?

Every year, Cambridge makes more offers than there are available places to study maths, relying on the assumption that a certain percentage will fail to meet the STEP requirement.

As I understand, the "normal" requirement is 1,1, with 4 complete questions out of 6 being roughly worth a 1.

Suppose for a given year, more than the expected number of students get 4 questions out of 6.

Will Cambridge (or whomever marks the STEP papers) then shift the goalposts and elevate the requirement for a 1 from 4 questions out of 6 to say 5 out of 6?

If so, wouldn't that have a knock on effect on those whose offer depends on STEP, namely Warwick and Imperial?

Reply 1

Mr M

Study Forum Helper

If this hypothetical situation occured then yes the grade boundaries would move as required. STEP is principally an entrance examination for Cambridge courses and it is not a qualification. If changing the boundaries is inconvenient for other users then so be it.