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GCSE to A Level Grade calculator
11
If you were to look at GCSE scores, could you predict future A level results?
I.E
A*/A = A
A = B
B = B/C
C = D
D = E/U
Or is this totally flawed...since most people work harder/less for A levels...and its all subjective?
I.E
A*/A = A
A = B
B = B/C
C = D
D = E/U
Or is this totally flawed...since most people work harder/less for A levels...and its all subjective?
Scroll to see replies
Reply 1
It is totally flawed. GCSEs bear no relevence at all to A-Levels, from what I have seen so far. There cannot be any accuracy upon predicting A-Level grades from GCSE grades; there are so many factors which need to be acknowledged.
Reply 2
People can get an A* at GCSE, but a C at A level because they think they know the subject, and don't work as hard as someone who got a B at GCSE, (who possibly got an A at A level).
I think also there are other factors, like how much you enjoy the subject, how much work or stress is involved in your other subjects, and your time management skills, because at GCSE some subjects just need a little revision the week/night before the exam and you could get away with an A. At A level, I don't think you could do this for most subjects.
I think also there are other factors, like how much you enjoy the subject, how much work or stress is involved in your other subjects, and your time management skills, because at GCSE some subjects just need a little revision the week/night before the exam and you could get away with an A. At A level, I don't think you could do this for most subjects.
Reply 4
For me, that's accurate so far; at GCSE I got an A* in French and As in English lit and history, and at AS I got an A in French and Bs in English lit and history. I don't think it always works though because some people who got straight A*s at GCSE with little work might assume they could do the same at A-level and get Cs, whereas someone with Bs and Cs at GCSE might realise they needed to put a lot more work in at A-level and come out with As and Bs. It also depends on whether you enjoy the subject more/as much/less than at GCSE and whether your teachers are better/the same/worse.
Reply 5
Well, hopefully that's accurate! I got A*s for GCSE Physics and French so hopefully I'll get As at A(S) Level, and I was one mark off A*s in GCSE Maths and Biology, so hopefully I'll get an A or B in those. I don't know about Psychology as I didn't study it for GCSE!
However, I agree that it isn't really a guarantee of what grades you will get! I wouldn't just expect those grades now..if you know what I mean. It's interesting knowing what your potential is though
However, I agree that it isn't really a guarantee of what grades you will get! I wouldn't just expect those grades now..if you know what I mean. It's interesting knowing what your potential is though
Reply 6
Icy Ghost
People can get an A* at GCSE, but a C at A level because they think they know the subject, and don't work as hard as someone who got a B at GCSE, (who possibly got an A at A level).
I think also there are other factors, like how much you enjoy the subject, how much work or stress is involved in your other subjects, and your time management skills, because at GCSE some subjects just need a little revision the week/night before the exam and you could get away with an A. At A level, I don't think you could do this for most subjects.
I think also there are other factors, like how much you enjoy the subject, how much work or stress is involved in your other subjects, and your time management skills, because at GCSE some subjects just need a little revision the week/night before the exam and you could get away with an A. At A level, I don't think you could do this for most subjects.
!!Reply 7
Che!
OP
11
From the responses I've got...why is it that universities take GCSEs into account? Surely, if they are no way of predicting how someone will do in the future - why do they ask for results for exams you took when you were 15/16?! DOesn't make a lot of sense to me...
Reply 8
che_guevara
From the responses I've got...why is it that universities take GCSEs into account? Surely, if they are no way of predicting how someone will do in the future - why do they ask for results for exams you took when you were 15/16?! DOesn't make a lot of sense to me...
Reply 9
Jalapeno
GCSEs are used as a differentiating factor.
Eg. Two people did French, German, English language, Maths and were going to study languages. They both got AAAA. One person had a GCSE in Chinese or Russian (A*), for example, and the other one didn't have any extra languages, they would take GCSEs into account.
Reply 10
also my sisters friend got an A* in Biology in Triple Award Science and then she did it at A-Level, she treated all her subjects with the same amount of time and effort which woz a lot and overall in her AS's she got AABBU and the U was in Biology! Shes still taking it as an A2 after loads of meetings with teachers and she needs Biology coz she wants to do Forensic Science!! i also think it depends on the subject like in this case. sorry if this is to loong!
Reply 11
che_guevara
If you were to look at GCSE scores, could you predict future A level results?
I.E
A*/A = A
A = B
B = B/C
C = D
D = E/U
Or is this totally flawed...since most people work harder/less for A levels...and its all subjective?
I.E
A*/A = A
A = B
B = B/C
C = D
D = E/U
Or is this totally flawed...since most people work harder/less for A levels...and its all subjective?
PURELY on GCSE grades..one should attain at least..
A* = A/B at A level
A = A-C at A level
B = C/D at A level
C = Pass A level (Grade E or better)
I would have thought you need to pass the GCSE first with grade C b4 you can do an A level...
However..this is just nonsense as we know most people get better through working harder...
On the topic of why GCSE's are used..they are a deciding factor because they test an understanding of a wide range of subjects rather than depth understanding in a few. It is the case that most people will choose A-level's they are more comfortable in ie; an excellent scientist/mathematician will not do three art subjects etc; and this will mainly result in better grades at A-level. In this case..the only way to determine 'all-rounder' academic success is through GCSE's.. Especially for subjects such as Business at LSE, a range of good (A/A*) GCSE passes is preferred to high A-Level grades (you need B's at A2 rather than A's) if I remember rightly..
Regards
Reply 12
18
"However..this is just nonsense as we know most people get better through working harder..."
- how can 'most people' do better than the average?
Unless those doing better are doing better than the average by a little bit, and those few doing worse, are doing a LOT worse?
- how can 'most people' do better than the average?
Unless those doing better are doing better than the average by a little bit, and those few doing worse, are doing a LOT worse?
Reply 13
Vazzyb
"However..this is just nonsense as we know most people get better through working harder..."
- how can 'most people' do better than the average?
Unless those doing better are doing better than the average by a little bit, and those few doing worse, are doing a LOT worse?
- how can 'most people' do better than the average?
Unless those doing better are doing better than the average by a little bit, and those few doing worse, are doing a LOT worse?
Correct..there are alot of people who get C's and B's at GCSE who actually fail the AS exam and therefore drop it for A2..
Reply 14
che_guevara
From the responses I've got...why is it that universities take GCSEs into account? Surely, if they are no way of predicting how someone will do in the future - why do they ask for results for exams you took when you were 15/16?! DOesn't make a lot of sense to me...
At most of the top universities, it's mainly because they have so many applicants with excellent A-level grades/predictions that they need some way of choosing between them. If 2 applicants both got AAAA at AS and are both predicted AAA at A2, both have outstanding personal statements and references and the only difference is that one got 6 A*s and 4 As at GCSE and the other got 3 As, 4 Bs and 3 Cs, who would you pick? Also, as someone else mentioned, GCSEs give an indication of how hard you work and how good you are at subjects you haven't chosen for A-level.
Reply 15
totally agree kellywood 5!! 
Reply 16
Che!
OP
11
Wehay I'M screwed! 
Reply 17
Do people think that A Level grades totally depend upon natural ability in a subject as well as how hard you work?
Reply 18
Che!
OP
11
Hard work does have some factor in it....but it really is how good at exams u are! You could be the hardest most diligent worker ever and just cos u write something that the mark scheme didnt account for you get penalised! Its such a crap system
Reply 19
che_guevara
Hard work does have some factor in it....but it really is how good at exams u are! You could be the hardest most diligent worker ever and just cos u write something that the mark scheme didnt account for you get penalised! Its such a crap system
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