should i get 1 exam remarked for possibility of oxbridge?

Oxbridge do not have a minimum number of A* grades that it requires. While you would most likely be below the average number of A* grades at GCSE, if you present strong AS levels and predictions you shouldn't have a problem. While strong grades at GCSE will clearly help, if you nail the entrance exam at Oxford, they will take that as sign of greater academic promise. Similarly, Cambridge look at your first year (AS) UMS average, which they will place greater weight on.

Essentially, show academic promise at AS and not worry about the past. If you're a strong candidate, you will be able to show that without having 4 A* at GCSE.

You should have studied harder :/ many ragrets to you indeed


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very informative, I really appreciate the time you took to answer and I probably won't end up remarking.
I slacked off way too much this year, won't let it happen again haha. godspeed.

Use your GCSE experience as motivation for A Level.

Crudely, all aspects of your application (GCSEs, AS, A2 Predictions, References, Interview and entrance exam if applicable, etc) all form isolated scores. These in turn are used in an algorithm to rank candidates. Different weighting is applied to each area.

I would say three things:

(a) I believe the average number of GCSE A*s for Oxford is somewhere around 7. The difference between 3 and 4 A* is not going to be huge, as GCSEs certainly aren't the greatest factor the University considers.

(b) The beauty of the above system, and that GCSEs aren't the biggest factor, is that you can balance your average with AS, A2 Predictions, references, admissions test and if you manage one, an interview. This will again negate any difference between 3 and 4 A*, and are more important factors anyway.

(c) Say you got a remark, and the grade increased to an A*. This by no means, guarantees you an interview, or place. As such, follow the above two points, which are more important anyway.

Just focus on your future. Don't get too set on Oxford; it isn't right for everyone and you can put too much pressure on yourself if you become too determined.

Hmm by no means am I solely focusing on Oxford. To be honest, I didn't even want to consider it but it would be ignorant of me to completely disregard it as an option, (although I definitely don't deserve it as much as those who would kill to just get an interview aha) thanks once again for your insight

I knooooow, I'm a fool what can I say

Lol- since you're only a mark a way I would personally get it remarked( but not for Oxbridge)

I don't think your gcses are good enough for Oxford but if you get high UMS at AS then Cambridge might take you- but you will stand a chance with 90+ UMS


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Yeah that's the right attitude to have. Just focus on your AS, and start nice and early - that way you don't have to do much work towards exams. Good luck!

Crudely, all aspects of your application (GCSEs, AS, A2 Predictions, References, Interview and entrance exam if applicable, etc) all form isolated scores. These in turn are used in an algorithm to rank candidates. Different weighting is applied to each area.