The Official 2010 Cambridge Freshers thread!

I got A*A*A*A*Aa - I was one mark off that fifth A*, so my mum made me put in for a remark
I'm just completely thrilled to be honest!

What was the subject that you were one mark off an A* in?

I was one mark off my fourth A* in Chemistry. Really annoying. But I got one in Extended Project. (I'd already taken Critical Thinking last year, so couldn't have attained an A* in that.)

I don't think I'm getting it remarked, although my parents said I should too. I just don't see the point. In reality A-levels only serve a purpose to get you into university. Also my college would make me pay for my remark (not that I'm stingy or anything!) And Chemistry's not really the type of subject where they'll have marked it wrong when it should have been right in the first place anyway.

O.o Just got my results...

I can't help but feel that this was a hollow victory....
Sorry to be a downer XD.

Employers often look at A levels, so it may be worth it. I'm not sure whether an A to A* makes much of a difference though.

What was the subject that you were one mark off an A* in?

I was one mark off my fourth A* in Chemistry. Really annoying. But I got one in Extended Project. (I'd already taken Critical Thinking last year, so couldn't have attained an A* in that.)

I don't think I'm getting it remarked, although my parents said I should too. I just don't see the point. In reality A-levels only serve a purpose to get you into university. Also my college would make me pay for my remark (not that I'm stingy or anything!) And Chemistry's not really the type of subject where they'll have marked it wrong when it should have been right in the first place anyway.

It was Maths - I got 89 in C3 in January, and 90 in C4. So I've had to have the C4 remarked. I know it's unlikely in Maths, because it's usually right or wrong, but there was a comprehension section and method marks can sometimes vary by examiner apparently - I only need one more UMS, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Yeh I had to pay for mine. I think it's worth it. You'll always have them on your CV and job applications. It just sounds so much nicer!

Yeah I suppose that's a good point. I looked at remark prices though and it's like £50! And it's only ONE mark and I can explain this to them if necessary anyway. Also it goes nicely next to my A in Critical Thinking which couldn't have been helped as I was doing a Legacy Specification before the A* was introduced. Haha.

Not at all bothered. Thought I would be, but in fact not the case.

Also I actually feel quite sorry for those people who got like 4 or 5 As, but no A*s, as now it almost seems as if they've done badly (in most people's eyes): we have to remember that last year that would have been considered a fab achievement. So I've given every person I've met with those grades a lot of credit for achieving them.

Yeah I suppose that's a good point. I looked at remark prices though and it's like £50!

Yeah. It's only really where you have a group of high achieving academics that those are bad grades anyway though. The A* achievers are just better at passing exams, that's all. You can be the most intelligent person in the world, but if you mistake a 4 for a 2, you may lose an A*. TSR exaggerates A* performance I think.

It's £50 but don't you get a refund if your grade changes?


Obviously TSR is not a representative sample, just look at what the S stands for. But I disagree - if you're "the most intelligent person in the world", you won't be prone to enough silly mistakes to miss the A*.

You get children in 3rd year as well? It's pretty much reserved for 2nd years in Pembroke (generally only if you haven't had them in the past will you get them after 2nd year). Though actually I could probably do with the extra free time this year.