The word has an obscure etymology, but possibly could be traced to the three-legged stool candidates once used to sit on when taking oral examinations, known as tripods.

[3][citation not found] Initially, the only way to obtain an honours degree at Cambridge was the Mathematical Tripos examination.

[citation needed] John Jebb proposed reforms in 1772, but implementation was blocked by various matters such as lack of expertise in the smaller colleges in a wider range of subjects.

[4] From Easter 2023, "overall degree classifications" were introduced to the Tripos system bringing Cambridge in line with other British universities.

There is also an optional Part III offered in some subjects, such as the Mathematical Tripos; these are not required to complete a bachelor's degree.

The Engineering Tripos is divided into four Parts (IA, IB, IIA, IIB), each corresponding to one academic year, and leads to the simultaneous awarding of the B.A.

The student who achieves the highest marks in their Tripos subject, commonly referred to as the 'Tripos topper', is awarded with the Winifred Georgina Holgate Pollard Memorial Prize.

[6][7] The prize is widely regarded as the most prestigious academic accolade awarded to students by the University of Cambridge.

A student's requests to graduate should also be approved by their college, and be unopposed by the regent house, one of the university's governing bodies with vetoing powers.