When to take STEP exam

Hi, I am planning to apply to Cambridge this year, but I don't know when to take the STEP exam.
I would like to take STEP this year to put the results in my UCAS application, but I have heard that it is only possible to take STEP once you receive a conditional offer.
Could anyone clarify this doubt to me?

Reply 1

chavvo

7

Original post by Anonymous #1

Hi, I am planning to apply to Cambridge this year, but I don't know when to take the STEP exam.
I would like to take STEP this year to put the results in my UCAS application, but I have heard that it is only possible to take STEP once you receive a conditional offer.
Could anyone clarify this doubt to me?

It's usual to take STEP with your A levels, after you've been given an offer.

It is possible to take STEP early, but it is not a good idea unless you're expecting to get a respectable grade - 1 or S. Have you already looked at papers / done some prep? You won't be able to do yourself justice on the exam if you haven't!

Note that even if you get a grade this year, Cambridge may still ask you to sit the exam(s) again with your A levels to ensure you can cope with the workload.

Also note that you'll need to find an exam centre (usually your school / college) where you can sit the exam and you'll need to check the deadlines for registering asap.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

Muttley79

20

Original post by Anonymous #1

Hi, I am planning to apply to Cambridge this year, but I don't know when to take the STEP exam.
I would like to take STEP this year to put the results in my UCAS application, but I have heard that it is only possible to take STEP once you receive a conditional offer.
Could anyone clarify this doubt to me?

It isn't recommended to sit STEP in Year 12 as you may be asked to retake next year. Are you likely to get at least a '1'?

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by chavvo

It's usual to take STEP with your A levels, after you've been given an offer.
It is possible to take STEP early, but it is not a good idea unless you're expecting to get a respectable grade - 1 or S. Have you already looked at papers / done some prep? You won't be able to do yourself justice on the exam if you haven't!
Note that even if you get a grade this year, Cambridge may still ask you to sit the exam(s) again with your A levels to ensure you can cope with the workload.
Also note that you'll need to find an exam centre (usually your school / college) where you can sit the exam and you'll need to check the deadlines for registering asap.

Thanks for the help! I am an IBDP student, and yes I have already started preparing for the exam. So there is still a possibility of repeating the exam next year even if I got a grade 1 this year?

you know if this also applies for MAT? Do I have to do it in October this year or next year after receiving the conditional offer? I believe both exams works for Imperial, as it is also one of my options.

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by Muttley79

It isn't recommended to sit STEP in Year 12 as you may be asked to retake next year. Are you likely to get at least a '1'?

I am only certain of a grade 2 for now...

Reply 5

chavvo

7

Original post by Anonymous #1

Thanks for the help! I am an IBDP student, and yes I have already started preparing for the exam. So there is still a possibility of repeating the exam next year even if I got a grade 1 this year?
you know if this also applies for MAT? Do I have to do it in October this year or next year after receiving the conditional offer? I believe both exams works for Imperial, as it is also one of my options.

Not familiar with the MAT I'm afraid - it may be worth repeating your question in either the Oxford forum or preferably the Maths forum on here where there will be people who know the setup who can advise. I think in general you can't "carry forward" results so even if your could take either one early (STEP or MAT) you would then have to repeat in a "live" situation - in the case of STEP, with your A levels after having been given an offer.

I wouldn't attempt STEP early if you're not sure of a good result (at least a 1) - it doesn't look good if people try it early and come out with a low grade (2 or 3). You can always attempt a recent paper in timed conditions and check against the mark schemes if you want to measure your performance.