UKMT + how this affects me getting into oxbridge

Hello

I understand it's a bit too early to start thinking about university and oxbridge, however, I'd like to study maths at oxbridge and I was wondering whether my UKMT scores would affect my PS or my likelihood of getting accepted.

So far, I've gotten:

Year 7: Silver
Year 8: Bronze
Year 9: Bronze
Year 10: Bronze

I've worked really hard for the UKMT that's running this year and still came out with a bronze. Is this seen by universities as not good enough? Would there still be a chance of me getting a gold in year 11?

Reply 1

Jeparlepas

13

Original post by *LifeHappens*

Hello

I understand it's a bit too early to start thinking about university and oxbridge, however, I'd like to study maths at oxbridge and I was wondering whether my UKMT scores would affect my PS or my likelihood of getting accepted.

So far, I've gotten:

Year 7: Silver
Year 8: Bronze
Year 9: Bronze
Year 10: Bronze

I've worked really hard for the UKMT that's running this year and still came out with a bronze. Is this seen by universities as not good enough? Would there still be a chance of me getting a gold in year 11?

The thing is - oxbridge doesn't know your ukmt scores unless you put them in your personal statement and if you don't like your scores, you can just not write about it. Mostly people put it in because it shows interest in maths but if you have other things you can use to show your interest in maths then there is no need to put it in your personal statement.

Besides, personal statements for maths at oxbridge are not that important - getting an interview at oxford depends on a good MAT score (which you don't need to worry about till at least the second half of year 12) and Cambridge gives most people an interview.
Remember that to even apply for oxbridge maths you need AA in your maths and fm a-levels and that's sort of the main factor in being able to apply - then prep for admissions tests. This is something you don't need to worry about yet if you're only in year 10. You may even decide to study something else at uni in the next 3 years.

As for whether or not you can get a gold in year 11, I can't really answer that for you. But as general advice, there are several videos online - also some courses/books you can take a look at for extra help. It also may be worth reflecting on how you study in general and maybe doing some research on more effective learning/study techniques.

Also, ukmt is not the end of the world and in fact, I have never seen questions like that in the MAT or in my Cambridge maths interview. So although it offers a glimpse into competition maths, it does not link too directly into the admissions process for any unis.

Reply 2

Mathsgirl888

16

Original post by *LifeHappens*

Hello

I understand it's a bit too early to start thinking about university and oxbridge, however, I'd like to study maths at oxbridge and I was wondering whether my UKMT scores would affect my PS or my likelihood of getting accepted.

So far, I've gotten:

Year 7: Silver
Year 8: Bronze
Year 9: Bronze
Year 10: Bronze

I've worked really hard for the UKMT that's running this year and still came out with a bronze. Is this seen by universities as not good enough? Would there still be a chance of me getting a gold in year 11?

Hi. I can’t really talk about how it will affect your chances of getting into uni. But in year 9 I didn’t even medal in the IMC (after getting two silvers in the jmc) but I worked hard in year 10 and managed to get gold and qualification for the kangaroo. I did the same in year 11. So it can definitely happen

Reply 3

mqb2766

21

Original post by *LifeHappens*

Hello

I understand it's a bit too early to start thinking about university and oxbridge, however, I'd like to study maths at oxbridge and I was wondering whether my UKMT scores would affect my PS or my likelihood of getting accepted.

So far, I've gotten:

Year 7: Silver
Year 8: Bronze
Year 9: Bronze
Year 10: Bronze

I've worked really hard for the UKMT that's running this year and still came out with a bronze. Is this seen by universities as not good enough? Would there still be a chance of me getting a gold in year 11?

As above, its not a make or break and there is no need/requirement to put it on your presonal statement and indeed some people may not be entirely truthful (no evidence of this). Universities would not use the score as a selection statistic, but if you wrote about what you found interesting, what youd learnt, did it motivate you to do other stuff ... then that would be supercurriculum stuff that would be relevant as it showed an interest. Tony Gardiner wrote a good related book https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0168

To improve, there is https://parallel.org.uk and https://mathsaurus.com/ has some free courses and obviously there are past papers. For the latter, Id not worry about timing and do them at your own pace and think about how you pose the question and set up the solution. Maybe discuss what youve tried to do and get some feedback about tips. The reflection is important for improving.

Looking into the crystal ball, this years (selected at random) mat multiple choice
https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/system/files/attachments/test23.pdf
probably had more in common with ukmt/problem solving than (new) topics on the a level syllabus.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 4

AnaaaElec

15

As said above, UKMT scores are not sent to any universities unless you include them in your personal statement. However, high scores in the Senior Maths Challenge are a great way of boosting your PS if you need mathematical achievements. I would argue that Intermediate and below are not really on the level of university maths and hence wouldn't be that relevant to a university in indicating mathematical aptitude.

Getting a gold or above in the Senior maths challenge is something to work for if you want to be ahead and have the best chance at getting a supercurricular to boost your PS.

Reply 5

Muttley79

20

Original post by mqb2766

As above, its not a make or break and there is no need/requirement to put it on your presonal statement and indeed some people may not be entirely truthful (no evidence of this). Universities would not use the score as a selection statistic, but if you wrote about what you found interesting, what youd learnt, did it motivate you to do other stuff ... then that would be supercurriculum stuff that would be relevant as it showed an interest. Tony Gardiner wrote a good related book https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0168
To improve, there is https://parallel.org.uk and https://mathsaurus.com/ has some free courses and obviously there are past papers. For the latter, Id not worry about timing and do them at your own pace and think about how you pose the question and set up the solution. Maybe discuss what youve tried to do and get some feedback about tips. The reflection is important for improving.
Looking into the crystal ball, this years (selected at random) mat multiple choice
https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/system/files/attachments/test23.pdf
probably had more in common with ukmt/problem solving than (new) topics on the a level syllabus.