Is Resitting Year 12 at my old Secondary a Good Idea?

Currently in a very sticky situation where my prediction grades are looking no higher than a B in any of my A Levels (bio, chem, and psych). I'm heavily considering going back to my old secondary and restarting year 12 there, because I think the move really really messed up my grades, to a point where nothing or no one felt real. Couldnt get used to my environment, and was subconsciously comparing my new school to my old school, ruminating and missing it a lot, which really put a tremendous toll on my grades. As well as the fact my new school is a downgrade on practically everything compared to my old school, it's horrible. I should have never left.

Now, here's the question. I've booked a UCAT exam for September 2023, and was wondering if I could sit the UCAT this year, and apply with the score I get this year to the 2024 medical entries? Also, how likely is it I can still get into medical schools like Exeter or Manchester resitting year 12 and applying with A* predicted grades?

Also if necessary my GCSEs are: 666777889

I am sorry that your move to a new school hadnt worked out quite the way that you hoped. Its a big deal to move /restart sixth form, so lots to think about first.

Some things which come to mind might be..

* you may settle better in second year sixth.

*if you return to your old school it might take you a while to settle back. And it wont be the same as before so you might end up in the same position.

* some med schools dont consider predicted grades at all.

* These unis (as do many others) focus heavily at the selection for interview stage on GCSEs. So the breakdown of your GCSEs might be more important than your predicted A levels.

* unless you are unhappy at new school in non-academic ways, i would try to work out the practical difference between
a) resitting year 12. Take 3 years to get A levels. Only actually sit them once.
b) stay where you are. Work incredibly hard. IF you dont get the grades you need then resit A levels at a location of your choice. Take 3 years to complete A levels take A levels twice.

* Some med schools say, do A levels in 2 years, some might classify a repeat of year 12 a resit (and then give you an offer with an increased grade), some might accept extenuating circumstances but you would have to ask them. "A change of mind" might not count potentially? I dont know.

* Same as for everybody, it is extremely important to be strategic in your medicine choices. This means that although you may fancy Exeter or Manc now, they might not be the best strategic option when you factor in your UCAT score. Exeter needs an very high predicted grades and a high UCAT for example. The requirements will be different if you are applying for / qualify foundation medicine courses, so worth considering that too. be explicit on that.

* So when you have your UCAT score go on the medicine megathread and ask for advice on your stratrgic choices. Cant do it til you sit your UCAT though.

* you can only sit your UCAT once per application. It strikes me that sitting it in Sept might not be the best option for you. Obviously you need to give yourself enough time to focus on it and study hard, but, if you were able to do it earlier than you would be able to ask where you could apply strategically with that score in the contrxt of your GCSEs and your predicted etc.

* if the answer is a lot of places then that might help make your decision on moving an easier one. If you find that the combination is such that there are limited options to apply to strategically this year then that gives you a different set of choices to make about the school.

* its not just the grades its also the support for the application by the teachers. This needs to be done by the application date in mid Oct. Will the staff at the resit school know your capabilities well enough to support you / references etc? How do you know they will give you higher predicted grades ?

* or is it that you feel you would avhieve better grades at your old school? That is a different question. You might want to consider if you stayed where you are, and then think about how/why you consider the other school more likely to get you the high grades and do that stuff for yourself as you go through year 13 in your current school.

* applying with achieved grades (provided you get the grades required) may give you more points in the selection process at some med schools.

A lot to think about. I guess I am saying, moving schools is a big decision, make sure you are fully informed before you jump ship. See if you can work out the best person / people who know you and the schools who you can talk this through with.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hey, thank you so much for your response. I really savored this advice and used it wisely. In the end, I decided not to switch and was able to resit exams after the end of this summer for higher predicted grades. Thank you so much, and I wish you the best of luck in anything you wish to do

Hey, thank you so much for your response. I really savored this advice and used it wisely. In the end, I decided not to switch and was able to resit exams after the end of this summer for higher predicted grades. Thank you so much, and I wish you the best of luck in anything you wish to do

more updates: I switched 1 week into school and decided to resit year 12. It was definitely a good decision so far, and so far so good. Still, obviously, there are quite a few cons, and trying to find unis that accept retakes without that many extenuating circumstances.