Why are GCSE's even considered?? I find it astounding..

Surely Cambridge should look at more in depth courses such as A-level and not bother with GCSE's. Why is there a need to have amazing GCSE's results? I will probably get AAA however my GCSE results are pretty rubbish taking into account the fact that I was inserted into the English education system directly into the GCSE's (of which I did approximitaly 1 year and a half, and econ and business just 1 year) without any knowledge of English, therefore I managed to get some mediocre grades, 1 A*, 2A's, 5B, 4C. I was thinking of applying to cambridge but I see a lot of emphasis is put on the GCSE results and I think it's quite unfair really since in my school teachers refered to these particular exams as just an indication of what you might be doing for your A-levels and never was I educated properly on the importance they have when applying to Uni. Anyway enough of my ranting, Ill let you get on with more important stuff .

P.s Enjoy your holidays!

Surely Cambridge should look at more in depth courses such as A-level and not bother with GCSE's. Why is there a need to have amazing GCSE's results? I will probably get AAA however my GCSE results are pretty rubbish taking into account the fact that I was inserted into the English education system directly into the GCSE's (of which I did approximitaly 1 year and a half, and econ and business just 1 year) without any knowledge of English, therefore I managed to get some mediocre grades, 1 A*, 2A's, 5B, 4C. I was thinking of applying to cambridge but I see a lot of emphasis is put on the GCSE results and I think it's quite unfair really since in my school teachers refered to these particular exams as just an indication of what you might be doing for your A-levels and never was I educated properly on the importance they have when applying to Uni. Anyway enough of my ranting, Ill let you get on with more important stuff .

P.s Enjoy your holidays!

So your application will be based on some superficial exams set 2-3 years ago at a time when the most important thing in your life was in fact...experiencing life?

Yes I completely agree, and the number of saddos from private schools/grammar schools who've been reared since the age of 1 to get into Oxbridge is incredible, so when they get like a couple of grades higher their ego inflates and they think they rule the world.

How gay.

If you can account for your results, you won't necessarily have a problem. You can hardly expect GCSEs to be ignored in the application process, 'though. Why would a university deliberately neglect one of the few indicators they have of a candidate's abilities?

Because at A-Level it's more down to the student than how fat their parent's pockets are.

If A levels are better indicators than GCSEs, it still doesn't mean that GCSEs should be ignored. They are reasonably important for university applications.

Problem is I wasnt told that while I was doing them which is one of the reasons why I find it unjust.

GCSE's test your ability to organise your times wisely, and that's about it. Just doing a single GCSE isn't that hard at all, but it's doing a whole load in a limited timeframe that is the real test.

Because if you did well at GCSE and A levels, that shows a sustained commitment to study, a quality you'll need for a degree. It's only one of many indicators anyway, I shouldn't worry too much, I've known people with fairly mediocre grades at GCSE to get into Oxbridge.