Re-applying to Cambridge for Mathematics with a Post-Results Application (2026 Entry)

Original post by fu6tf87g

I am an international A-level student studying Mathematics, Further Mathematics, and Physics. I applied to Cambridge for Mathematics in the 2025 admission cycle but was rejected without an interview.
I've decided to reapply in the 2026 cycle (Nov–Oct) with my actual A-level transcript rather than predicted grades. This summer, I will be taking the STEP exam, aiming for 1,1. By the time I reapply, I expect to have achieved 3A*s and 1,1 in STEP.
My main questions:
* What are my chances to get into after rejection without even being interviewed?
* Is it possible to receive an unconditional offer if I already have my final grades and STEP results?
* Would taking Computer Science as a fourth A-level (assuming an A) strengthen my application?
* Would an application with 4 As be seen as weaker or unnecessary compared to 3 As?
Any insights from past applicants or Cambridge offer holders would be greatly appreciated!

No one can tell what your chances are. You should probably ask the College about the timing of STEP. I think you are proposing to take it, what is in effect, a year early. Maths have a historic caution about gap years, and some Colleges might prefer you take STEP and the same time for the cohort, in order to demonstrate you are keeping up with your maths skills.

Taking an additional A level in a gap year is unnecessary.

Reply 2

Original post by fu6tf87g

I am an international A-level student studying Mathematics, Further Mathematics, and Physics. I applied to Cambridge for Mathematics in the 2025 admission cycle but was rejected without an interview.

I've decided to reapply in the 2026 cycle (Nov–Oct) with my actual A-level transcript rather than predicted grades. This summer, I will be taking the STEP exam, aiming for 1,1. By the time I reapply, I expect to have achieved 3A*s and 1,1 in STEP.

My main questions:

* What are my chances to get into after rejection without even being interviewed?
* Is it possible to receive an unconditional offer if I already have my final grades and STEP results?
* Would taking Computer Science as a fourth A-level (assuming an A) strengthen my application?
* Would an application with 4 As be seen as weaker or unnecessary compared to 3 As?

Any insights from past applicants or Cambridge offer holders would be greatly appreciated!

1) Generally, you're advised to apply for a different college as then your application would be viewed as completely fresh and they wouldn't even know that you'd applied before. If you apply to the same college as before, they may remember your application - they also equally may not.
2) It's possible but it's also possible that they'd request you do STEP again. They're unlikely to ask you to do the A-Levels again, assuming you meet the entry requirements. If you miss the A-Level entry requirements, your application is unlikely to be competitive.
3) If you want to do it for your own interest, you could, but it wouldn't especially strengthen your application. Doing something heavily Mathematical is likely to be of much more use.
4) It shouldn't make a whole lot of difference.

Reply 3

Original post by fu6tf87g

I am an international A-level student studying Mathematics, Further Mathematics, and Physics. I applied to Cambridge for Mathematics in the 2025 admission cycle but was rejected without an interview.
I've decided to reapply in the 2026 cycle (Nov–Oct) with my actual A-level transcript rather than predicted grades. This summer, I will be taking the STEP exam, aiming for 1,1. By the time I reapply, I expect to have achieved 3A*s and 1,1 in STEP.
My main questions:
* What are my chances to get into after rejection without even being interviewed?
* Is it possible to receive an unconditional offer if I already have my final grades and STEP results?
* Would taking Computer Science as a fourth A-level (assuming an A) strengthen my application?
* Would an application with 4 As be seen as weaker or unnecessary compared to 3 As?
Any insights from past applicants or Cambridge offer holders would be greatly appreciated!

You won'r get an unconditional as thet'll likely make you do STEP again and possibly get at least one S.

Reply 4

Original post by Muttley79

You won'r get an unconditional as thet'll likely make you do STEP again and possibly get at least one S.

Note for OP, this isn't always true.

It may be the case that they ask you to do STEP again but it's also possible they won't. It may be worth emailing the admissions departments of your preferred college(s) and asking directly. They may say that it depends, in which case it could go either way and I'd be prepared to have to do it again if your offer so specifies.

Reply 5

Original post by melancollege

Note for OP, this isn't always true.
It may be the case that they ask you to do STEP again but it's also possible they won't. It may be worth emailing the admissions departments of your preferred college(s) and asking directly. They may say that it depends, in which case it could go either way and I'd be prepared to have to do it again if your offer so specifies.

Evidence? Everyone that I've known of that has done STEP early has had to re-do it especially if they take a GAP year.

Hpw many unconditional offers are you aware of for Maths?

Reply 6

fu6tf87g

OP

2

Original post by Muttley79

Evidence? Everyone that I've known of that has done STEP early has had to re-do it especially if they take a GAP year.
Hpw many unconditional offers are you aware of for Maths?

I would never be hesitant to sit for STEP assessments again if I get conditional offer in re-application.
The crucial part is receiving an offer.
I have been practicing STEP past problem and I believe I would manage to get 1,1.
So even if I sit for STEP again it won't cause any harm. In fact, with a bit more effort I might get S,S.

Reply 7

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by fu6tf87g

I would never be hesitant to sit for STEP assessments again if I get conditional offer in re-application.
The crucial part is receiving an offer.
I have been practicing STEP past problem and I believe I would manage to get 1,1.
So even if I sit for STEP again it won't cause any harm. In fact, with a bit more effort I might get S,S.

Except that if you take STEP early and don't get a competitive score it will go against you regardless of A level grades.

Reply 8

Original post by Muttley79

Evidence? Everyone that I've known of that has done STEP early has had to re-do it especially if they take a GAP year.
Hpw many unconditional offers are you aware of for Maths?

I just asked my admissions director in person, she essentially said that it would be done on a case-by-case basis, sometimes they would set an S,1 offer and sometimes they would give an unconditional if they can assume the candidate won't go rusty in their gap year

Reply 9

Original post by melancollege

I just asked my admissions director in person, she essentially said that it would be done on a case-by-case basis, sometimes they would set an S,1 offer and sometimes they would give an unconditional if they can assume the candidate won't go rusty in their gap year

The latter rarely happens though does it? I also speak to admissions people :smile:

Reply 10

Anonymous #1

Original post by melancollege

I just asked my admissions director in person, she essentially said that it would be done on a case-by-case basis, sometimes they would set an S,1 offer and sometimes they would give an unconditional if they can assume the candidate won't go rusty in their gap year

Can I ask you if you're working at Cambridge university?
My son got rejected after the interview but wants to reapply next year. He is aiming to achieve 3A* and STEP 1/1 in bot this year, but would it be better taking STEP next year?
Thank you in advance

Reply 11

Original post by Muttley79

The latter rarely happens though does it? I also speak to admissions people :smile:

I asked her what happens if a candidate applies post-qualification having already met their STEP grade and that was her answer. My original post said "this isn't always true. It may be the case that they ask you to do STEP again but it's also possible they won't" which this agrees with.

I can't comment on how often it happens as I only asked her that one question as I happened to walk past her during lunch. In my matriculating year, it wasn't common for candidates to apply post-qualification having done STEP because in 2020 (I was 2021 entry) only those with an offer could take STEP due to the pandemic, so to be in the relevant situation, they would have either have had to have done it two years prior or had an offer, met the conditions, withdrawn their offer and reapplied. I only know one person who applied having already done STEP and they did get an unconditional, albeit this was under uncommon circumstances.

I assume the matter is closed now.

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 12

Original post by Anonymous

Can I ask you if you're working at Cambridge university?
My son got rejected after the interview but wants to reapply next year. He is aiming to achieve 3A* and STEP 1/1 in bot this year, but would it be better taking STEP next year?
Thank you in advance

I'm a student but I'm an ambassador for both my college and the university so I work a lot with outreach, admissions and schools.

My honest answer is that I don't know. The best I can say is that it would be treated on a case-by-case basis and to discuss it with his preferred college(s). Perhaps he would get a higher offer having done STEP compared to if he hadn't, perhaps not. I would say it is more likely for him to get an offer if he has already met his STEP conditions, but if he were to miss the STEP conditions this year, it could negatively impact his chances of getting an offer. It is also possible that he would get a higher offer even if he didn't do STEP. I would say to discuss it with his preferred college(s) and see how well he is doing in STEP nearer the time of exam entries.

Reply 13

Original post by melancollege

I asked her what happens if a candidate applies post-qualification having already met their STEP grade and that was her answer. My original post said "this isn't always true. It may be the case that they ask you to do STEP again but it's also possible they won't" which this agrees with.
I can't comment on how often it happens as I only asked her that one question as I happened to walk past her during lunch. In my matriculating year, it wasn't common for candidates to apply post-qualification having done STEP because in 2020 (I was 2021 entry) only those with an offer could take STEP due to the pandemic, so to be in the relevant situation, they would have either have had to have done it two years prior or had an offer, met the conditions, withdrawn their offer and reapplied. I only know one person who applied having already done STEP and they did get an unconditional, albeit this was under uncommon circumstances.
I assume the matter is closed now.

No, how often does it happen? Is that college representative of others? You haven't substantiated your assertion.

As I said from speaking to several admissions people it is extremely rare.

Reply 14

Original post by Muttley79

No, how often does it happen? Is that college representative of others? You haven't substantiated your assertion.
As I said from speaking to several admissions people it is extremely rare.

All I'm saying is that sometimes it does happen but it is not to be relied upon, which was confirmed my admissions director, and admissions directors are ultimately the most trustworthy sources on these matters. I think OP has enough information to make their decision now.

Reply 15

Original post by melancollege

All I'm saying is that sometimes it does happen but it is not to be relied upon, which was confirmed my admissions director, and admissions directors are ultimately the most trustworthy sources on these matters. I think OP has enough information to make their decision now.

I don't. My advice would be don't take STEP early and the admissions people I've spoken to agree.

Reply 16

Anonymous #1

Original post by melancollege

All I'm saying is that sometimes it does happen but it is not to be relied upon, which was confirmed my admissions director, and admissions directors are ultimately the most trustworthy sources on these matters. I think OP has enough information to make their decision now.

Can I ask you which college you’re attending at please?

Reply 17

Original post by Muttley79

I don't. My advice would be don't take STEP early and the admissions people I've spoken to agree.

I didn't advise on whether or not to take STEP early, I just said that it doesn't always happen that you get an S,1 offer. For the record, I agree that, unless you're really confident in your STEP abilities, much more so than the rest of your application, it's usually better not to do it.

I don't know if this applies to OP but it is conceivable that some people may take STEP in Year 13 to see if it is worth applying to Cambridge after a gap year or go to their current firm.

I'm unlikely to respond further to this discussion as I think OP has enough information regarding this matter. Although, OP, feel free to ask any further questions if you have any, obviously :smile:

Reply 18