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What is Cambridge likely to accept you for?

First off, sorry if this is a bit noobish, first post :P I'm close to start studying GCSES. Was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of what GCSEs I would need to do, say if I wanted to be an electronic engineer or something similar. Also would like to study a engneering course at university. And also, what grades do you need for Cambridge? Cheers
Reply 1
Just do double/triple sciences, maths and english, everything else is useless
Reply 2
Original post by AR_95
Just do double/triple sciences, maths and english, everything else is useless

Is that so? In that case what are you chances of getting in Cambridge with mainly Bs and As at gcse/sixth form?
Reply 3
Original post by School_ftw
First off, sorry if this is a bit noobish, first post :P I'm close to start studying GCSES. Was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of what GCSEs I would need to do, say if I wanted to be an electronic engineer or something similar. Also would like to study a engneering course at university. And also, what grades do you need for Cambridge? Cheers

It's asked really often here but no matter! Triple Science, English, Maths. They don't really count anything above 8 GCSEs I believe. Get A*s if you can. Most successful Cambridge applicants have lots of them (not all necessarily) but not getting them doesn't rule you out. At A Level get very high percentages and do further maths, physics, maybe chemistry. I got an offer for Computer Science there recently which is fairly similar (not the same of course!) so feel free to ask me any questions about the process. Also, be aware you have to do general engineering then specialise later at Cambridge.
Original post by School_ftw
Is that so? In that case what are you chances of getting in Cambridge with mainly Bs and As at gcse/sixth form?


At GCSE, it's definitely possible. At A-Level, you want to be getting >90% in most of your subjects as an absolute minimum. If you get Bs at AS in subjects relevant to what you're intending to study, applying to Cambridge probably isn't the best idea.
Reply 5
Original post by Chlorophile
At GCSE, it's definitely possible. At A-Level, you want to be getting >90% in most of your subjects as an absolute minimum. If you get Bs at AS in subjects relevant to what you're intending to study, applying to Cambridge probably isn't the best idea.

While higher is always better, Cambridge recommend 85% + not 90+ as an absolute minimum. Though it's true most successful applicants have on average 95% (not all by any means, I got an offer with a 'mere' 91.7%)
Original post by TVIO
While higher is always better, Cambridge recommend 85% + not 90+ as an absolute minimum. Though it's true most successful applicants have on average 95% (not all by any means, I got an offer with a 'mere' 91.7%)


As I said, "you want to be getting >90% in most of your subjects as an absolute minimum". It may well be possible to get in with less, that doesn't change the fact that your chances are going to be extremely low. I would much rather apply with 95% than 85%!
Reply 7
Original post by Chlorophile
As I said, "you want to be getting >90% in most of your subjects as an absolute minimum". It may well be possible to get in with less, that doesn't change the fact that your chances are going to be extremely low. I would much rather apply with 95% than 85%!

True, true.
Original post by School_ftw
First off, sorry if this is a bit noobish, first post :P I'm close to start studying GCSES. Was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of what GCSEs I would need to do, say if I wanted to be an electronic engineer or something similar. Also would like to study a engneering course at university. And also, what grades do you need for Cambridge? Cheers


Try and do triple science, double science if you can't. You need good grades in science, maths and english principally. Try and do GCSEs that you're interested in, it'll make it easier to get good grades. You'll want mostly A* at GCSE for Cambridge but there are plenty who get in with less, just don't underestimate them. You then need to realistically get at least 90% at AS level, although again, people get in with less. Don't worry too much about it all now, just focus on your GCSEs and you'll grow into stuff like wider reading. :smile:
Original post by TVIO
While higher is always better, Cambridge recommend 85% + not 90+ as an absolute minimum. Though it's true most successful applicants have on average 95% (not all by any means, I got an offer with a 'mere' 91.7%)


A school near me doesn't let you apply to Cambridge if you don't have >90% in EVERY module! :tongue: They wouldn't have let me apply! (got 85% in my English coursework and Biology ISA :tongue:)
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 10
Original post by paradoxicalme
A school near me doesn't let you apply to Cambridge if you don't have >90% in EVERY module! :tongue: They wouldn't have let me apply! (got 85% in my English coursework :tongue:)

Well that's just stupid. I had like 5 modules under 90% and I got in! You should be able to apply wherever you want. Our school recommended one of my friends didn't apply but they didn't stop him and he'll no longer have a 'what if' lingering over him (rejection but he was fine with it).
Original post by TVIO
Well that's just stupid. I had like 5 modules under 90% and I got in! You should be able to apply wherever you want. Our school recommended one of my friends didn't apply but they didn't stop him and he'll no longer have a 'what if' lingering over him (rejection but he was fine with it).


I got in with <90% in my subject, so yeah, they're probably wrong about that policy :tongue: One of my friends was recommended to not go for it and didn't get in but you should be able to do what you like, within reason. (If you've got BBBC without extenuating circumstances, for instance, ain't gon' happen.)
Reply 12
Original post by paradoxicalme
I got in with <90% in my subject, so yeah, they're probably wrong about that policy :tongue: One of my friends was recommended to not go for it and didn't get in but you should be able to do what you like, within reason. (If you've got BBBC without extenuating circumstances, for instance, ain't gon' happen.)


Yeah all of my modules of what I applied for (Computer Science) were below 90. 3/4 As at AS with 1+ A* prediction is probably good enough to recommend giving it a shot. It's only one choice out of five after all.
Reply 13
Thanks for all the answers :biggrin: I'll aim for an A or A* in English, maths and science then. Cheers

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