The Big "Are My Grades Good Enough for Cambridge?" Thread (Mk1)

In what world are A*A*A*A*AAAABBBB poor GCSE grades?! These threads are really starting to get boring. I'm really holding myself back from ranting here; there are so many things I want to say that I'm refraining from saying For what it's worth, I only got 2 A*s, and I know people with more than 2 Bs who have offers. Additionally, the GCSEs that you got Bs in aren't really relevant to your degree, so I don't see the problem. Apply goddammit.

Ahhhh, I tried reading Buddenbrooks too, but I was revising for my mocks at the time and it was a bit hefty so I left it for a while. If you like the whole Faust thing you should read Goethe's Faust (Oxford World Classics one is good!) I got quite into that but now I have to read the actual thing in German it's a bit daunting.

The thing that worries me is my grades. I got at GCSE:
A* in French, German, English Literature and English Language.
A in Science, Further Science, Maths and Art.
B in Graphic Design, Religious Studies, ICT (DiDA) and Welsh.

I then took French, German, English Lit and English Media at AS.
I got As in all 4 - 100% in Media, 89% in French, 85% in German and about 83% in English Lit.

Knowing Cambridge's view on Media, I dropped it, and also as I will be predicted A* in German and French so I needed to only have 3 subjects to concentrate on the languages.
So I'm now taking French, German and English, to be predicted A*A*A I think.

Hiya, those grades are definitely good enough, I was just wondering about you being predicted an A* in French and German. I have just finished an A2 in French, and it is a very big jump between what you need to get a good grade in AS and what you need in A2. For example my module results are AAB (AS modules) CCD (A2 modules) - a B overall, which is clearly brought up by the AS modules. You will probably be able to get an A, but if you managed below 90% in AS are you confident you can get 90% in the A2 to get the A*?

Grammar school education is state education too, just run and managed differently. Infact, Kent, an all grammar school county, gets the worst grades in the UK.

Why can't we just all do the same ******* things and have the same opportunities though?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I am from a state school, I didn't know this would affect my chances that much It wouldn't put me off obviously but you're right I shouldn't set my hopes too high.


To the people criticizing me: I have never known anyone get accepted to Oxbridge without literally straight A*s. A few people get accepted from my school every year, but they are the highest performing students you could pretty much possibly have. And compared to the rest of my peers applying to Oxbridge this year, I am the only one with Bs.
Hardly an excuse for my apparent ignorance, more of an explanation.

Thankyou for the constructive advice though guys! I feel encouraged

Hm okay I withdraw the poor. I meant as in, are the things I have been told about the 5A*s and more than 2Bs true, will it stop me from getting an interview/offer.

Not necessarily, but not applying at all most certainly will. That's all there is to say, really. Your grades are good enough that you can be fairly confident in getting an interview, as Cambridge interview all candidates they believe have a fair chance in getting a place, and I would be surprised if you don't fall into that category in their esteem. Beyond that, GCSE's aren't nearly as important as interview performance and predicted/achieved A Level grades. In short, apply.

Good advice, thanks
And good point about not applying lol.

It's not really grades related but I thought someone could help on this thread.

Is 2 books you like and a weekly magazine enough wider reading to put on your statement?
Or should I put one more on that i've read?

Help Please!
I have 9 A stars at GCSE, but now I have only 3As and a B at AS level. Module marks are 90% Economics, 81% Maths, 80% Chemistry (dropping that though), and 79.5% History.
Is it worth me applying with those (by Cambridge's standard) poor marks?

It depends on how you used them and what else is on your personal statement. As an example, I know some people put no books at all but still have sufficient content.

Oh okay. So they wouldn't not interview me/reject me on the fact there's not enough reading on there?

I seriously doubt it. If your grades and predictions are up to scratch you should get an interview. Then all you can do is perform on the day. To be honest I personally doubt the PS is that important at all, as long as it isn't terrible (obviously).

Ok. So,

I am an IB student. I have a predicted score of.. (7 in Chem HL)..(6 in Math HL)...(6 in Physics HL)..(.7 in History SL)...(5 in English SL)...(6 in French SL)...+3(E.E. and T.O.K.) ..which makes a total of 40.

I am planning to apply for engineering at Cambridge. Please let me know about my chances to get an interview?