GCSEs and Oxbridge...

OP

Helen_J

you'd think those clever enough to consider Oxford/Cambridge would have the sense to actually research things like this instead of making a-n-o-t-h-e-r thread on this exhausted topic

Not really. Because it's rather specific and includes the new A* grade.

Reply 22

jjbristol

I've said this so many times. If you make the interview ALL else goes out the window and all that matters is how intelligent you are and how much potential you have(they can tell this during the interview). They do however want AAA for almost all courses. As far as gcse is concerned though although it will inevitably be a deciding factor between to similar applicants when they are deciding who will be interviewed it is one of the least important factors.

I have poor gcses because of ill health and i've been told by countless oxford representatives that i should definately apply. Of course not all with poor gcses can blame severe ill health as i can but it should be remembered that not everyone with poor gcses is a delinquent. All the tsr nerds should try sitting gcses with cancer and we'll see how perfect they are then!!!!

A levels are the biggy. And with your gcses OP you should at least get to the interview stage as long as your AS levels and references are good and your personal statement demostrates intellect. GCSEs are th ticket to a levels and that's about it unless you're applying to LSE

Reply 23

http://www.oxbridge-admissions.info/profiles-show.php?w=753

Oxford admissions tutor

Most important is your score at interview, then your HAT
score, then your written work score; Tutors may
in addition take into account your AS results, predicted A2 results, GCSEs,
your school reference, your personal statement, etc......These things will only matter if you're a
borderline.

A borderline candidate would be
someone who had achieved good but not great scores in the HAT, written
work, and interview - there's no particular number to this, the
borderline is whether a particular college decides to make them an offer
of a place or not.

So basically, impress at interview.

Reply 24

HereIstand

necessarily benevolent

this a joke? or for real

Reply 25

HereIstand

this a joke? or for real

http://www.oxbridge-admissions.info/profiles-show.php?w=543

http://www.oxbridge-admissions.info/profiles-show.php?w=373

http://www.oxbridge-admissions.info/profiles-show.php?w=671

http://www.oxbridge-admissions.info/profiles-show.php?w=282

http://www.oxbridge-admissions.info/profiles-show.php?w=365

Odds are at least one of them isn't lying.

Reply 26

beautifulxlie

Hedgehunter

So you are saying, that if you go to an Independent school and are not amongst the best achievers at GCSE in your school you won't get in?

If the GCSE results at your school were above average, and you were among the best achievers, you have a better chance, but many students from public schools achieve very high grades too. It shouldn't matter what type of school you are from.

Reply 27

OP

beautifulxlie

It shouldn't matter what type of school you are from.

Oh, but it does. Evidently, Cambridge has a scoring points system for GCSEs which adds points to applicants who've come from not so good schools.

Reply 28

Solid_Snake_100

12

Sk1lLz

Oh, but it does. Evidently, Cambridge has a scoring points system for GCSEs which adds points to applicants who've come from not so good schools.

This is crap. I go to an independent school which has one of the highest oxbridge admissions rates in the country (like 30% of the year i think). My head of sixth form recommended that I apply and I have a serious chance of getting in. If you look at my grades, I think you'll find your question answered.

Reply 29

Sk1lLz

Oh, but it does. Evidently, Cambridge has a scoring points system for GCSEs which adds points to applicants who've come from not so good schools.

And on the same page of that site it states that "if an applicant has below 80% in relevant AS modules and also a weak GCSE portfolio an interview is unlikely but even in this case particular circumstances and individual merits are taken into consideration."

By weak they mean a majority of Bs, Cs, Ds, Es etc. NOT As. Therefore, based on what I hear, do well at interview.

P.S. Going to a better school doesn't detract from your GCSE score. Going to a substandard school just means you'll get a few extra points.

Reply 30

OP

Solid_Snake_100

This is crap. I go to an independent school which has one of the highest oxbridge admissions rates in the country (like 30% of the year i think). My head of sixth form recommended that I apply and I have a serious chance of getting in. If you look at my grades, I think you'll find your question answered.

Dude, those GCSEs that I mentioned are not far off yours. Can I ask which school you go/went to? Don't need to answer that. I know I wouldn't.

Reply 31

OP

To be honest guys, I honestly think that the emphasis on GCSE grades will decrease this year because of the A* grade at A-level. If you're predicted straight A*s, then they can differentiate between each candidate more. Also, the exam boards are predicting that only 3,000 students will get 3A*s+ opposed to the 26,000 getting 3As+. A massive difference don't you think?

Oh, but it's not what I think. It's what they think.

Reply 32

MarcusLL

Hedgehunter

So you are saying, that if you go to an Independent school and are not amongst the best achievers at GCSE in your school you won't get in?

There's the logic.

Reply 33

OP

Solid_Snake_100

True but none of my AS UMS scores were that high either which means they will take GVSE's into more regard. I go to Haberdashers btw

Man. I'd love to go to your school. Perhaps they're trying to get everyone to apply so then they have more chance of more people getting in. Perhaps, though.

Reply 34

Sk1lLz

To be honest guys, I honestly think that the emphasis on GCSE grades will decrease this year because of the A* grade at A-level. If you're predicted straight A*s, then they can differentiate between each candidate more. Also, the exam boards are predicting that only 3,000 students will get 3A*s+ opposed to the 26,000 getting 3As+. A massive difference don't you think?

Oh, but it's not what I think. It's what they think.

It's a completely pointless consideration anyway. As long as your grades are of a good standard you're fine. They differentiate between applicants by means of admissions tests, written work (when these are applicable) and primarily the interviews before they resort to grades.

Reply 35

Hedgehunter

12

Sk1lLz

To be honest guys, I honestly think that the emphasis on GCSE grades will decrease this year because of the A* grade at A-level. If you're predicted straight A*s, then they can differentiate between each candidate more. Also, the exam boards are predicting that only 3,000 students will get 3A*s+ opposed to the 26,000 getting 3As+. A massive difference don't you think?

Oh, but it's not what I think. It's what they think.

They think they are not going to include them in offers in 2010, just see how it goes.

Reply 36

MarcusLL

Solid_Snake_100

This is crap. I go to an independent school which has one of the highest oxbridge admissions rates in the country (like 30% of the year i think). My head of sixth form recommended that I apply and I have a serious chance of getting in. If you look at my grades, I think you'll find your question answered.

What constitutes to you having a 'serious chance'?

Reply 37