The Student Room Group

Do AS exams matter?

I am dropping economics after Year 12 and I was wondering whether getting a grade such as a C would affect my UCAS application?

I am debating between doing badly on my AS and getting at least 2 A*s for my end-of-year exams for predicteds, or doing well in my AS and getting only As at most for my predicteds. I am applying for medicine next year so I will need one A* at least with two As realistically to even be considered.
Original post by lauyyyka
I am dropping economics after Year 12 and I was wondering whether getting a grade such as a C would affect my UCAS application?
I am debating between doing badly on my AS and getting at least 2 A*s for my end-of-year exams for predicteds, or doing well in my AS and getting only As at most for my predicteds. I am applying for medicine next year so I will need one A* at least with two As realistically to even be considered.

hey there. IMO if you're planning to drop economics they shouldn't affect the predicted grades that are sent off to the universities with your application. Something unclear to me is your 'AS exams' are official exam board exams or internal exams that your school uses to predict your grades.
Regardless, you should focus on the subjects you need to optimise your application to medicine. Especially if you're dropping economics because it wouldn't have any affect on your other predicted grades.
Reply 2
Original post by Studious_Kumar
hey there. IMO if you're planning to drop economics they shouldn't affect the predicted grades that are sent off to the universities with your application. Something unclear to me is your 'AS exams' are official exam board exams or internal exams that your school uses to predict your grades.
Regardless, you should focus on the subjects you need to optimise your application to medicine. Especially if you're dropping economics because it wouldn't have any affect on your other predicted grades.

Ok thank you so much!
Reply 3
Original post by Studious_Kumar
hey there. IMO if you're planning to drop economics they shouldn't affect the predicted grades that are sent off to the universities with your application. Something unclear to me is your 'AS exams' are official exam board exams or internal exams that your school uses to predict your grades.
Regardless, you should focus on the subjects you need to optimise your application to medicine. Especially if you're dropping economics because it wouldn't have any affect on your other predicted grades.

the AS exams are official exam board exams btw
Original post by lauyyyka
the AS exams are official exam board exams btw

Ah I see now. I still think that you should focus on your more relevant subjects for medicine. Does your school predict your grades based on AS exams, or are you just doing AS economics? For us, we just do internal examinations for our predicted grades and don't have to do official AS examinations.
Reply 5
Original post by Studious_Kumar
Ah I see now. I still think that you should focus on your more relevant subjects for medicine. Does your school predict your grades based on AS exams, or are you just doing AS economics? For us, we just do internal examinations for our predicted grades and don't have to do official AS examinations.

just doing AS economics. I will have my end of year tests approximately two weeks after my AS which mainly determine my predicted grades for my a level subjects
Reply 6
In itself no, because as only some schools now offer AS levels, most Unis will ignore these grades to remain fair to all applicants. But - if your school uses AS grades to determine your predicted grades for UCAS, clearly it would matter.

Btw, the majority of Med Schools want AAA and just having A* predictions will not mean you are automatically more likely to 'be considered' as they will also utilise your UKCAT score and PS into their scoring. See - medschools.ac.uk/media/3060/uk-medical-school-entry-requirements-2024-entry.pdf It it was that simple then only those predicted A* A* A* would become doctors. Thankfully it doesnt work like that.

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