It's very awkward for applications when they have lower predictions that what you're actually working at, although I can appreciate that it's good for the school on results day. It's just that it can be unfair when the difference between an A and an A* can really make a difference to an application that is being assessed primarily on predictions. No one taking history has got an A* prediction at my school. I'm top and I've been told verbally I should have an A* but the teacher "makes it a habit of not predicting anyone A*'s due to not knowing if the exam papers will go our way". I personally think it's very unfair and we should be judged on any exams/mocks/coursework already done. I think as most of the people at my school go on to the local colleges and 6th forms and don't apply for somewhere more competitive the teachers don't always realise it can have a possibly negative impact.