What GCSE grades do Cambridge Maths students have?

I was wondering if any former or current Cambridge maths students would be willing to share their GCSE grades as I am hoping to study maths at Cambridge and I was wondering what GCSE grades most have so I have a guideline to aim for. I would also be grateful if you told me have you did in UKMT maths challenges.
P.S. I'm aware of the official entry requirements e.g. A*A*A at A-level, 1 in STEP II and III and getting over 95 UMS but I want to know GCSE grades as well.
Thanks in advance.

Reply 1

Doones

21

Original post by carlsenesque

I was wondering if any former or current Cambridge maths students would be willing to share their GCSE grades as I am hoping to study maths at Cambridge and I was wondering what GCSE grades most have so I have a guideline to aim for. I would also be grateful if you told me have you did in UKMT maths challenges.
P.S. I'm aware of the official entry requirements e.g. A*A*A at A-level, 1 in STEP II and III and getting over 95 UMS but I want to know GCSE grades as well.
Thanks in advance.

There's no GCSE requirement for Maths, and UKMT is not a requirement either.

As per my reply to your earlier post:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4526996
UKMT Maths Challenge

And the replies you had here too:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4505800
GCSE Grades for Trinity College Maths

If you are on target to achieve the A-level requirements you should apply. By the way 95 UMS is not a requirement either.

You can see the academic profile of 2017 applicants here
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4494572
The Official Cambridge 2017 Decisions Thread [no discussion]

And there's an excellent maths specific thread here
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=503945
Cambridge Maths Students and Applicants

Posted from TSR Mobile

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 2

carlsenesque

OP

8

Original post by jneill

There's no GCSE requirement for Maths, and UKMT is not a requirement either.

As per my reply to your earlier post:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4526996
UKMT Maths Challenge

And the replies you had here too:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4505800
GCSE Grades for Trinity College Maths

If you are on target to achieve the A-level requirements you should apply. By the way 95 UMS is not a requirement either.

You can see the academic profile of 2017 applicants here
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4494572
The Official Cambridge 2017 Decisions Thread [no discussion]

And there's an excellent maths specific thread here
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=503945
Cambridge Maths Students and Applicants

Posted from TSR Mobile

I'm aware that 95 UMS isn't a requirement but from what I've heard if you don't get around that then it's unlikely you will get any. Also I'm wondering how much GCSEs matter and wondered if 7 A*s 4 As and 1 B is enough to get in as long as I meet the other requirements.

Reply 3

Doones

21

Original post by carlsenesque

I'm aware that 95 UMS isn't a requirement but from what I've heard if you don't get around that then it's unlikely you will get any. Also I'm wondering how much GCSEs matter and wondered if 7 A*s 4 As and 1 B is enough to get in as long as I meet the other requirements.

Again, it's not a requirement.
Do you know about quintiles? This data might interest you
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/216772/response/539871/attach/2/FOI%202014%20237%20Stevens%20response%20letter%20and%20data.pdf
e.g. in 2013 the 2nd quintile had a MUMS (Maths UMS) of 92.0 and an offer rate of 17.3%. Yes that's "below average" but demonstrates you don't need a minimum of 95 to get an offer.

And yes those GCSEs would be fine.

Posted from TSR Mobile

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 4

Forecast

16

Original post by jneill

Again, it's not a requirement.
Do you know about quintiles? This data might interest you
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/216772/response/539871/attach/2/FOI%202014%20237%20Stevens%20response%20letter%20and%20data.pdf
e.g. in 2013 the 2nd quintile had a MUMS (Maths UMS) of 92.0 and an offer rate of 17.3%. Yes that's "below average" but demonstrates you don't need a minimum of 95 to get an offer.

I think you got the point across the first time.

Of course 95% maths UMS isn't a requirement, but on the other hand I think it's slightly naive to suggest that one should apply just because they're likely to meet the A-level grades. Those who don't average around 95% should think about why they didn't score so highly. Was it because they just made a few careless mistakes on the day, or was it because of a lack of fluency and understanding of A-level material? In the case of the latter it would be wise to consider whether they are up to the task of taking on the very demanding STEP papers. I got A*A* in A2 maths and FM but I doubt I'd be capable of hitting 1,1 in STEP II and III even if I devoted all of my time to it. In fact, judging by my performance in two maths-focused interviews at Cambridge (for CompSci and NatSci), I don't think I would have received an offer had I applied for maths in the first place.