How hard is STEP?

Hard enough that half marks earn a top grade. In 2026 a grade 1 needed 62 of 120 on STEP 2 and 56 on STEP 3.

Grade 1 in 2026	STEP 2 from 62, STEP 3 from 56, out of 120
Grade S in 2026	STEP 2 from 84, STEP 3 from 80
Grade 1 or better in 2026	28.1% on STEP 2, 35.7% on STEP 3

Why the papers feel hard

The specification asks for insight, ingenuity, persistence and long runs of algebra. Questions often take a familiar idea somewhere unfamiliar and give guidance only when they go beyond the syllabus.

You answer any six of twelve, so choosing well matters as much as finishing.

Grade boundaries and shares

Year and paper	S from	1 from	S or better	1 or better
2026, STEP 2	84	62	8.3%	28.1%
2026, STEP 3	80	56	9.3%	35.7%
2025, STEP 2	92	75	7.3%	22.8%
2025, STEP 3	86	61	9.5%	30.3%

Try a problem

Integrals with a hidden symmetry

Paper 2 · Integration · Accessible · 20 marks

(i)
Let $a$ $>0$ , let $g$ be a continuous even function and let $h$ be a continuous odd function, both defined on $[-a,a]$ . By using the substitution $x$ $=-u$ , show that $\int_{-a}^{a}\frac{g(x)}{1+e^{h(x)}}\,\mathrm{d}x=\int_0^a g(x)\,\mathrm{d}x.$
7 marks
(ii)
Find $\displaystyle\int_{-1}^{1}\frac{1}{(1+x^2)(1+e^{x^3})}\,\mathrm{d}x$ .
3 marks
(iii)
Find $\displaystyle\int_{-\pi/3}^{\pi/3}\frac{\sec x}{1+e^{\tan x}}\,\mathrm{d}x$ .
4 marks
(iv)
By adapting the method of part (i) to the substitution $x$ $=\pi-u$ , find $\displaystyle\int_{0}^{\pi}\frac{\sin x}{1+e^{\cos x}}\,\mathrm{d}x$ .
6 marks

Next step

Take the free diagnostic Choosing questions and writing solutions

The STEP specification on OCR's site, on the OCR website

Questions people ask

Is STEP harder than A-level?

It uses A-level Maths and Further Maths content, but every question is a multi-part problem worth 20 marks rather than a set of short questions, and no calculator or formulae booklet is allowed.

How many questions should I aim to finish?

Your six best answers count. In 2026 a grade 1 needed about half marks, so strong answers to four or five questions and parts of others can reach it.