Increasing Predicted Grades

Hi guys! I have recently received my predicted-predicted (basically teachers say informally what your predicted grades will probably be based on your mock results) A Level grades (AAA) after receiving A+ A+ A- on my AS mocks in biology, chemistry and Spanish.
I think that I would be able to get an A* in one of the subjects that I got an A+ in, but my teacher (who is very strict and conservative) doesn’t currently think so. She said that she only predicts A* to people who get 90-100% on the AS paper and I got 80% (still well above the required mark for an A).
However, all of the uni courses that I want to apply to have a requirement of AAA or below. Would pushing to get predicted A*AA (with the extra pressure and possibility of not achieving it) make it more likely that I receive an offer for an AAA course? Or is it not worth the risk and it wouldn’t make any difference seeing as I meet the entry requirements?
Any opinions or anecdotes would be amazing! Thank you.

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 1

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Original post by LittleFire10

Hi guys! I have recently received my predicted-predicted (basically teachers say informally what your predicted grades will probably be based on your mock results) A Level grades (AAA) after receiving A+ A+ A- on my AS mocks.
I think that I would be able to get an A* in one of the subjects that I got an A+ in, but my teacher (who is very strict and conservative) doesn’t currently think so. She said that she only predicts A* to people who get 90-100% on the AS paper and I got 80% (still well above the required mark for an A).
However, all of the uni courses that I want to apply to have a requirement of AAA or below. Would pushing to get predicted A*AA (with the extra pressure and possibility of not achieving it) make it more likely that I receive an offer for an AAA course? Or is it not worth the risk and it wouldn’t make any difference seeing as I meet the entry requirements?
Any opinions or anecdotes would be amazing! Thank you.

Hi @LittleFire10,

while striving and getting an A*AA would look impressive, It will most likely not have much of an impact in getting an offer for university courses. Most of the time, universities will mainly be focused on whether you are predicted to meet the grade requirements or not and then turn to other resources such as your personal statement or sixth form reference (or further tests you take if you are applying for certain courses) to choose the students they want to make an offer to. AAA is an amazing grade to have and there are very few universities that will not send out an offer to a student with those grades if their entry requirements are equivalent to or less than that.
That being said, if you think that you can achieve A*AA without pushing yourself too hard, then go for it.

All the best for your application
Matthew
Student Ambassador

Uni subject is?

Original post by McGinger

Uni subject is?

Biochemistry/pharmacology

Reply 4

McGinger

Original post by LittleFire10

Biochemistry/pharmacology

You dont need A* predictions for offers on good courses for either subject.

The usual advice for your 5 choices is :

•

1 choice just above your predicted grades - 1 grade and not in a vital subject.

(You may or may not get an offer, and its worth the risk on one choice)

•

2 or 3 choices at your predicted grades - these are you 'most likely to get an offer' choices.

•

At least 1 choice well below your predicted grades - a potential Insurance choice and reassuring when exam time comes along and you suddenly aren't feeling quite so confident.

Reply 5