Gap year to boost the grades!

Go for it bro, just email whoever did your reference last year and ask them if they can change it to make it relevant for this year.

ahh but do you think I'm being unrealistic for aiming high?

What grades did you get this year? I think most people could get As and Bs if they work hard

I'm in a similar position as you I'm on my gap year but my grades weren't as low as yours but I'm still thinking of retaking. Are you retaking at a different school or like a test centre?

Hi, I was in the exact same position as you this time last year. I massively underachieved and my teachers/family wanted me to just go off to university and get on with my life. I stayed and raised my grades to A*AA, same subjects as you. I studied rigorously at home by myself and I put a lot of effort in. I too didn't want to have to go back to the school and get a reference and predicted grades as I didn't really like them much, but I did.

Don't be afraid to go back or to retake exams, it was one of the best decisions I took as I was extremely determined.

Just make sure you work very hard and you'll be rewarded on results day, and ensure you get a good reference/predictions. And yes you may have a chance through adjustment although I wouldn't rely 100% on it. UCL is a bit more of a long shot, however I would be confident that KCL would have spaces to fill.

i think ill be retaking at my old school just not attending the lessons
how about you??

I don't know if I have the guts to go back to my old school. Too awkward. I'm thinking of going to a test centre. I need to research.

No problem, ask as many as you need.

I got my old chemistry teacher to do my reference and predicted grades as we had a good relationship and I could trust him with it. Yes I got the predicted grades I wanted (A*AA) and I think you should too.

In terms of working by myself I just used two revision guides for each subject (apart from maths), made posters,notes and exam tips and stuck them on my wall around November so I could see it throughout the year and it would stick in my brain. I also did LOADS of past papers starting as early as possible. For Maths I would highly suggest doing all of the solomon papers as well to fully prepare yourself. Repeat the papers over and over if you need to.

Yeh just search it on Google and it should come up. Are you doing edexcel maths? And if you really want (and believe you can get) an A then you should let your teacher know.

yea that sounds like a good plan as well
are you planning on revising by yourself as well?

Hi, I was in the exact same position as you this time last year. I massively underachieved and my teachers/family wanted me to just go off to university and get on with my life. I stayed and raised my grades to A*AA, same subjects as you. I studied rigorously at home by myself and I put a lot of effort in. I too didn't want to have to go back to the school and get a reference and predicted grades as I didn't really like them much, but I did.

Don't be afraid to go back or to retake exams, it was one of the best decisions I took as I was extremely determined.

Just make sure you work very hard and you'll be rewarded on results day, and ensure you get a good reference/predictions. And yes you may have a chance through adjustment although I wouldn't rely 100% on it. UCL is a bit more of a long shot, however I would be confident that KCL would have spaces to fill.

It depends really on what your teacher predicts you. Which unis do you want to go to? Going through adjustment is a risk because you a) need to get the required grades first and b) need to make sure the uni will have space for your course.

Hi, I was in the exact same position as you this time last year. I massively underachieved and my teachers/family wanted me to just go off to university and get on with my life. I stayed and raised my grades to A*AA, same subjects as you. I studied rigorously at home by myself and I put a lot of effort in. I too didn't want to have to go back to the school and get a reference and predicted grades as I didn't really like them much, but I did.

Don't be afraid to go back or to retake exams, it was one of the best decisions I took as I was extremely determined.

Just make sure you work very hard and you'll be rewarded on results day, and ensure you get a good reference/predictions. And yes you may have a chance through adjustment although I wouldn't rely 100% on it. UCL is a bit more of a long shot, however I would be confident that KCL would have spaces to fill.

Hi, unfortunately I didn't get into what I wanted to do (Medicine) but I'll be going off to Manchester to study Chemistry which was my backup. What are you planning on applying for?

16 exams?! I thought I had it bad with 8 haha. Although with Maths and FM this is expected and in a way I think it makes it more manageable for you. Word of advice, the Maths exams are seemingly getting harder (or at least more 'different') every year so make sure you know the syllabus inside out and have done all the papers. Is Imperial one of your destinations?

X

Hi, I was in the exact same position as you this time last year. I massively underachieved and my teachers/family wanted me to just go off to university and get on with my life. I stayed and raised my grades to A*AA, same subjects as you. I studied rigorously at home by myself and I put a lot of effort in. I too didn't want to have to go back to the school and get a reference and predicted grades as I didn't really like them much, but I did.

Don't be afraid to go back or to retake exams, it was one of the best decisions I took as I was extremely determined.

Just make sure you work very hard and you'll be rewarded on results day, and ensure you get a good reference/predictions. And yes you may have a chance through adjustment although I wouldn't rely 100% on it. UCL is a bit more of a long shot, however I would be confident that KCL would have spaces to fill.