STEP, MAT and TMUA explained
Some competitive maths courses ask you to sit an extra test. They feel very different from A Level papers, so it pays to know what you're facing early.
Which universities use which test, and the dates, change from year to year. Always check the course page of each university you apply to, and the official test website, before you plan.
STEP
STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is the hardest of the three. It's usually part of a conditional offer, so you sit it in the summer of Year 13, after your A Levels.
- Long questions that need several ideas joined together.
- You choose which questions to answer, and doing a few questions well matters more than trying them all.
- Based on A Level and Further Maths content, but used in unfamiliar ways.
MAT
The MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test) is taken in the autumn of Year 13, before interviews.
- A mix of multiple-choice questions and longer questions.
- Mostly based on content from the first year of A Level maths.
- Tests problem solving and clear reasoning rather than heavy calculation.
TMUA
The TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission) is a multiple-choice test, used for maths and for some maths-heavy courses like economics and computer science.
- One part tests applying maths you know to new problems.
- The other part tests mathematical reasoning and logic, such as spotting a flaw in an argument.
- Timing is tight, so practice under time pressure matters.
How to prepare
- Start in Year 12. Even an hour a week on hard problems adds up.
- Use the official past papers. All three tests have past papers and practice material on their official sites.
- Get stuck on purpose. Spend real time on a question before you look at a solution.
- Write full solutions. Clear reasoning earns marks, especially on STEP and the MAT long questions.
- Mix in other problems. UKMT challenges and NRICH build the same skills.
Next: a term-by-term plan for Year 12 and 13.
Last updated October 2026.