How to prepare to get into Oxford University?

Hi,
I want to go to Oxford for a Mathematics and Statistics degree. I'm a Y11 student and I'll be doing my IGCSEs next month. I did my ESL and Maths IGCSEs early and I got 9 in both + 196/200 for Maths. I am taking further maths IGCSE as well and currently at a 7 but my teacher believes I could get a nine. I'm currently at a 9 in all my other subjects except Chem and English Lit where I'm a few marks off a nine (Which hopefully will be fixed this month) I'm planning on taking Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry for A Level and I researched a few competitions/ tests such as UKMT, STEP, MAT and AEA. How else can I prepare for Oxford?

Sorry for the long paragraph.

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

Absolutely no need to worry about that right now when you have GCSEs so soon. Focus on them and in your spare time, relax and recharge. You sound like you’re doing good so keep it up. Once you’ve done your IGCSEs, over the summer you can finalise your a level or IB etc choices, and if you wish you can start to have a look at the content and prepare for next term. More importantly this is when you can do extracurriculars that ACTUALLY interest you. What’s something you enjoy in maths? Pick a topic and do some reading on it. All this should be stuff you acc find interesting. Then whenever you have spare time prepare by working on your problem solving skills needed for entrance exams. Do a question now and then from step or pat on something you have covered. This can slowly build up your confidence. Not too sure about maths for Oxford but the exams usually change every couple years slightly in format. This isn’t anything to worry about you’ll get enough info near the time so as long as you are working on your thinking and problem solving skills you are good to go. Also these exams will cover things you have no clue about at the moment, don’t waste time right now teaching yourself it will come together later. Any parts on the entry test not in your syllabus you can teach yourself in Y12, but I doubt it will be anything significant if you do A Level Maths. And highly unlikely if you will take further maths.
Do not stress over Oxford entry right now in Y11, it’s great you’re thinking about it but really, the fact you are asking this shows you care enough. Remember even the most top students can get rejected, so it’s also a bit of luck when you apply. This shouldn’t discourage you but keep in mind that Oxbridge is most certainly not everything . For now don’t think about all this prep or skills practice as just for Oxford, just for your future in general and any mathsy degree you choose to pursue.

Reply 2

afzain22

OP

8

Original post by Anonymous

Absolutely no need to worry about that right now when you have GCSEs so soon. Focus on them and in your spare time, relax and recharge. You sound like you’re doing good so keep it up. Once you’ve done your IGCSEs, over the summer you can finalise your a level or IB etc choices, and if you wish you can start to have a look at the content and prepare for next term. More importantly this is when you can do extracurriculars that ACTUALLY interest you. What’s something you enjoy in maths? Pick a topic and do some reading on it. All this should be stuff you acc find interesting. Then whenever you have spare time prepare by working on your problem solving skills needed for entrance exams. Do a question now and then from step or pat on something you have covered. This can slowly build up your confidence. Not too sure about maths for Oxford but the exams usually change every couple years slightly in format. This isn’t anything to worry about you’ll get enough info near the time so as long as you are working on your thinking and problem solving skills you are good to go. Also these exams will cover things you have no clue about at the moment, don’t waste time right now teaching yourself it will come together later. Any parts on the entry test not in your syllabus you can teach yourself in Y12, but I doubt it will be anything significant if you do A Level Maths. And highly unlikely if you will take further maths.
Do not stress over Oxford entry right now in Y11, it’s great you’re thinking about it but really, the fact you are asking this shows you care enough. Remember even the most top students can get rejected, so it’s also a bit of luck when you apply. This shouldn’t discourage you but keep in mind that Oxbridge is most certainly not everything . For now don’t think about all this prep or skills practice as just for Oxford, just for your future in general and any mathsy degree you choose to pursue.

I am trying to forget about Oxford until my IGCSEs are over as I'm the type of person to obsess over being one of the top people. Thank you for responding to this <3

Reply 3

Username123ab

14

You don't need to do anything to prepare in year 11 except studying for your GCSEs and aiming for all 9s. I do law not maths/statistics at Oxford so the supercurriculars will be different but I didn't start preparing until a few months before I was writing my personal statement (end of year 12)

Reply 4

AriTem

12

For Oxford maths you're going to have to do the MAT test. There's quite a bit of information about it online and also been covered in questions on the forums here. I see you're already aware of MAT/STEP etc so it's obvious you're actively researching. There's going to be a little luck involved as to getting an interview and offer of course but I would aim to minimize the other variables i.e. ensuring you're going to do score well in A levels and of course the MAT exam.

If you find that you're already doing very well in your GCSE subjects, maybe start looking at the A level syllabus for maths/FM and start working on those topics. Calculus isn't covered in GCSE maths and it's not hard to start working on. A lot of the basic stuff can be self learnt and would provide a good headstart for A level maths/FM

Reply 5

Anonymous #2

Original post by afzain22

Hi,
I want to go to Oxford for a Mathematics and Statistics degree. I'm a Y11 student and I'll be doing my IGCSEs next month. I did my ESL and Maths IGCSEs early and I got 9 in both + 196/200 for Maths. I am taking further maths IGCSE as well and currently at a 7 but my teacher believes I could get a nine. I'm currently at a 9 in all my other subjects except Chem and English Lit where I'm a few marks off a nine (Which hopefully will be fixed this month) I'm planning on taking Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry for A Level and I researched a few competitions/ tests such as UKMT, STEP, MAT and AEA. How else can I prepare for Oxford?
Sorry for the long paragraph.

As a current offer holder for maths at oxford, I had no idea I wanted to apply for the course until the end of year 12 and was absolutely fine so there is no reason to start worrying over it yet, but being aware that you want to apply will never put you at a disadvantage.
Oxford will assess your GCSEs (contextually to your secondary schools attainment), personal statement (a bit - for maths this isn't very important, and most importantly you MAT score - this is what you need to secure an interview
With MAT, it is futile trying to start to revise for it yet, as it is based of four terms of A level maths content - so you need to actually start your a level maths course first.
None the less, keeping up with your interest in maths by extracurriculars like YouTube channels, books and podcasts will always be of value to you!

Reply 6

AnonOxE

8

Get your (i)GCSE exams done. That’s your priority.

After that if you have time, look to see if you can make an Oxford open day (next one is June, but there’s more later in the year).

After that come back, exams first!

How to prepare to get into Oxford University?

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