Exams Centre
Hills Road is a registered national exam centre. We welcome external candidates for A level, GCSE and Pearson iGCSE exams.
Exams Centre
University admissions tests
Admissions tests for university
Some university courses require candidates to take an admission test in order to support their application onto a particular course. In order to know whether your chosen course and university requires you to take an admissions test, you should consult their website.
Autumn admissions tests
As of the 2024-2025 academic year, all autumn admissions tests (for entry into certain universities) are conducted and run by the exam board Pearson Vue. Applications are made directly to Pearson Vue themselves and tests are not taken in/organised by sixth form education providers. This is a change as in past years, Hills Road students could take the tests here in the college.
Hills Road students who have any questions about their UCAS application and/or university tests can contact the Careers team.
Application routes
Pearson Vue admissions tests
It is our understanding that there are different application routes on the Pearson Vue website for those with access arrangements and those requiring bursary funding, so please read all information carefully before making your application. College bursary funded students should contact the Bursary Fund team for proof of eligibility before applying to Pearson Vue.
Other admissions tests
Bursary funding may be available from the college bursary fund for eligible students for other entrance examinations, such as SATs. Please contact the Bursary Fund team on the email below for more information.
STEP (Maths admissions test in June)
STEP (Sixth term examination paper) is a maths exam designed to test candidates applying for certain courses at the University of Cambridge, the University of Warwick and Imperial College London. Other universities sometimes ask candidates to take STEP. You should check your chosen course and university webpage to confirm whether you need to take the test. Find out more about STEP on the OCR website.
STEP papers in Mathematics take place in June and Hills Road is an approved exam centre:
- Current Year 13 Maths students: Please check your College email during the Spring term for details of how to apply to sit STEP 2 and/or 3 at Hills Road. Ask the Careers team if you are unsure.
- Former students (e.g. gap year): Please email the College exams office in February if you would like to apply to sit STEP 2 and/or 3 at the College. We have limited spaces only so early application is advised.
- Private candidates: You will need to contact OCR directly regarding available test centres. We are unable to take private candidates for this exam.
Any questions?
Contact the exams team
