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Gap year applying to Cambridge Maths with 4 A Levels

Summary of applicant situation provided by a TSR Volunteer:
A Levels: Maths, Biology, Chem, F Maths
Previous grades: ABCD (in above order)
GCSEs: All 9s & an 8
Will take / Took (or is taking currently) a gap year



Volunteer Note: Five threads have been merged to provide holistic application advice to this user.

When complex queries are brought to The Student Room, it helps to have all the advice in one place for two main reasons:
- Those needing advice in this scenario (whether the OP or another user in a similar situation) get all their advice in one place. The site can be confusing so this centralises things.
- Those giving advice can see what has already been suggested and so adds to this body of knowledge rather than repeating it.

This thread should be the only one from this user about the 2026 application cycle.
(edited 1 week ago)

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I am in year 13 and doing maths , further maths , bio and chem. I’m going to take a gap year and apply to Cambridge afterwards for bionatsci. I’m struggling with further maths and chemistry but want to keep further maths. I’m thinking of dropping chemistry then going it in the gap year , is this acceptable for Cambridge / will it decrease my chances of acceptance if I do an a level in a gap year??
Reply 2
Best option would be to email the admissions team.
Cambridge don't care if you do 3 or 4, the only benefit of doing 4 is to cover the subject, e.g. if applying to a maths degree you would want to take a fourth in further maths. Heard this from an admissions tutor and I'm pretty sure you can find it on their website as well.
Original post by Fermat42647
I am in year 13 and doing maths , further maths , bio and chem. I’m going to take a gap year and apply to Cambridge afterwards for bionatsci. I’m struggling with further maths and chemistry but want to keep further maths. I’m thinking of dropping chemistry then going it in the gap year , is this acceptable for Cambridge / will it decrease my chances of acceptance if I do an a level in a gap year??

If the A level in the gap year is a requirement for the course, it will disadvantage you to the point of not being competitive.

If the A level take during the gap year is not required, then it will probably largely be ignored and your offer will be based on your existing grades.

No-one knows how an individual College and admissions tutor will approach the situation where you have marginal grades in year 13, and a predicted grade in the gap year, the tight be better. However, it's a big risk and probably would not play in your favour.

Bottom line, you're playing a poor strategy. You should have applied this year, with 4 or 3 A levels, for deferred entry. If you got an offer, chances are it would be based on 3 anyway. If you didn't get an offer, you'd have had a second bite in your gap year.
Original post by threeportdrift
If the A level in the gap year is a requirement for the course, it will disadvantage you to the point of not being competitive.
If the A level take during the gap year is not required, then it will probably largely be ignored and your offer will be based on your existing grades.
No-one knows how an individual College and admissions tutor will approach the situation where you have marginal grades in year 13, and a predicted grade in the gap year, the tight be better. However, it's a big risk and probably would not play in your favour.
Bottom line, you're playing a poor strategy. You should have applied this year, with 4 or 3 A levels, for deferred entry. If you got an offer, chances are it would be based on 3 anyway. If you didn't get an offer, you'd have had a second bite in your gap year.

Thank you very much for the reply. Can i ask a question though - basically why would i be disadvantaged with doing one in my gap year and applying with a predicted grade?? Surely the vast majority of applicants apply with a predicted grade for the course. Is the fact that i am doing the a level over three years the reason why i would be disadvantaged?
As for whether to drop or not, this is word for word from the Cambridge website:

Most applicants study 3 to 4 A level subjects and our offers are usually based on 3 A levels taken together in Year 13. Taking 4 A levels will not normally give you an advantage. However, strong applicants for STEM courses usually study Further Mathematics as a fourth subject.

In addition, people have advised that Cambridge don't like students who complete A levels over 3 years because they are particulary interested in seeing how students manage heavy workloads, especially considering that chemistry is very relevant to your degree option.
I am applying to Cambridge Natural sciences from a competitive independent school where the majority of people take 4 a levels. Everyone in the past 5 years who has gotten into the course from my school has taken 4 a levels. I know Cambridge say 4 doesnt have an advantage over 3 but is this actually true? As im pretty sure they expect people to do 4 if most in their school does 4 right? My guidance counsellor showed my the data over the last 5 years and from my school only oeople with 4 a* got in. Therefore as Cambridge compare you against people from your school, am i at a disadvantage with 3?
Technically, Cambridge makes offers only for 3 A levels and say you're not advantaged if you do 4. That being said, having 4A*s is definitely more impressive than 3A*s, so if they see an applicant with 4A*s they are probably more likely to consider them (because they are more 'academic'). However, if you don't think that you could get 4A*s if you took 4 A levels, I'd say take 3 because 3A*s is more impressive than 4As. Remember that while predicted grades are taken into account, Cambridge looks at everything together, so things like gcses, admissions tests and your personal statement will also be considered when making offers.
Reply 9
Original post by Fermat42647
I am applying to Cambridge Natural sciences from a competitive independent school where the majority of people take 4 a levels. Everyone in the past 5 years who has gotten into the course from my school has taken 4 a levels. I know Cambridge say 4 doesnt have an advantage over 3 but is this actually true? As im pretty sure they expect people to do 4 if most in their school does 4 right? My guidance counsellor showed my the data over the last 5 years and from my school only oeople with 4 a* got in. Therefore as Cambridge compare you against people from your school, am i at a disadvantage with 3?

Haven't you asked this about 3 times in the past month?!

3 A levels are fine - assuming you've checked the Natsci admissions page and your subjects contain the necessary ones. If the "majority" of pupils from your school take 4, then obviously the stats are going to show that most successful applicants from your school have 4 - it's a self-fulfilling prophecy!

Better to have 3 strong A levels and some really good super-curricular activities that demonstrate your passion for the subject you want to study, rather than push yourself on 4 A levels and risk dropping a grade if one of those subjects is a weaker one for you.
Original post by davros
Haven't you asked this about 3 times in the past month?!
3 A levels are fine - assuming you've checked the Natsci admissions page and your subjects contain the necessary ones. If the "majority" of pupils from your school take 4, then obviously the stats are going to show that most successful applicants from your school have 4 - it's a self-fulfilling prophecy!
Better to have 3 strong A levels and some really good super-curricular activities that demonstrate your passion for the subject you want to study, rather than push yourself on 4 A levels and risk dropping a grade if one of those subjects is a weaker one for you.

Sorry, last question. Would you say 3a* is not as good as 3a* + a. And if that’s a no, then would 3a* be better than 2a* and 2a ?
Reply 11
Original post by Fermat42647
Sorry, last question. Would you say 3a* is not as good as 3a* + a. And if that’s a no, then would 3a* be better than 2a* and 2a ?

Yes, I think 3A* + A is better than just 3A*s. It shows enthusiasm for studying and an ability to take a high workload, which is extremely important at a high-achieving university like Cambridge. But, I think 3A* is better than 2A* + 2A. (This sort of looks like your grades are slipping because you're taking too many subjects.)

Can I ask which A levels you're doing? And which natural sciences are you applying to? For example, for the physics natural sciences, Further Maths is a big one. And if your school offers Further Maths but you're not taking it, then this suggests that either you're not interested enough in the subject or that you can't take the workload, which would disadvantage your application. However, if you're doing e.g. Maths, Further Maths, Phsyics, and the fourth subject is not super relevant to nat sci like economics or something, then I would just focus on getting 3A*, and the perfect grades will help your application.
Original post by abx95
Yes, I think 3A* + A is better than just 3A*s. It shows enthusiasm for studying and an ability to take a high workload, which is extremely important at a high-achieving university like Cambridge. But, I think 3A* is better than 2A* + 2A. (This sort of looks like your grades are slipping because you're taking too many subjects.)
Can I ask which A levels you're doing? And which natural sciences are you applying to? For example, for the physics natural sciences, Further Maths is a big one. And if your school offers Further Maths but you're not taking it, then this suggests that either you're not interested enough in the subject or that you can't take the workload, which would disadvantage your application. However, if you're doing e.g. Maths, Further Maths, Phsyics, and the fourth subject is not super relevant to nat sci like economics or something, then I would just focus on getting 3A*, and the perfect grades will help your application.

I do maths, further maths, biology and chemistry. If i apply for natural sciences i will apply for bionatsci
Original post by Fermat42647
Thank you very much for the reply. Can i ask a question though - basically why would i be disadvantaged with doing one in my gap year and applying with a predicted grade?? Surely the vast majority of applicants apply with a predicted grade for the course. Is the fact that i am doing the a level over three years the reason why i would be disadvantaged?

Because 'scoring' A levels, which is only 3, need to be done in tow years. That is how you demonstrate you have the capacity to work at the pace required of the course. By taking a 'scoring' A level over 3 years, or in a 3rd year, you take the pressure off yourself. That's not useful for Cambridge.
Original post by threeportdrift
Because 'scoring' A levels, which is only 3, need to be done in tow years. That is how you demonstrate you have the capacity to work at the pace required of the course. By taking a 'scoring' A level over 3 years, or in a 3rd year, you take the pressure off yourself. That's not useful for Cambridge.

Ah ok, thanks. But surely i still show i can handle pressure if i do 3 now and one in the gap, or will that disadvantage me as well? I come from a competitive independent school where most do 4, if i then choose to do 3, will that be a disadvantage ?
Original post by Fermat42647
Ah ok, thanks. But surely i still show i can handle pressure if i do 3 now and one in the gap, or will that disadvantage me as well? I come from a competitive independent school where most do 4, if i then choose to do 3, will that be a disadvantage ?

How many ways do you need this explaining to you? I've already answered this. Your strategy is weak. You should have applied this year, with 3 strong A levels, only doing a 4th if it wasn't going to affect the grades of the first 3.

As explained multiple times, your attempts to reduce the pressure and get better grades does weaken your application. However, that doesn't mean it will definitely fail, so stop making more threads on the same subject, and put your time to better use improving your A level grades.
Reply 16
Original post by Fermat42647
I am in year 13 and doing maths , further maths , bio and chem. I’m going to take a gap year and apply to Cambridge afterwards for bionatsci. I’m struggling with further maths and chemistry but want to keep further maths. I’m thinking of dropping chemistry then going it in the gap year , is this acceptable for Cambridge / will it decrease my chances of acceptance if I do an a level in a gap year??



Original post by threeportdrift
How many ways do you need this explaining to you? I've already answered this. Your strategy is weak. You should have applied this year, with 3 strong A levels, only doing a 4th if it wasn't going to affect the grades of the first 3.
As explained multiple times, your attempts to reduce the pressure and get better grades does weaken your application. However, that doesn't mean it will definitely fail, so stop making more threads on the same subject, and put your time to better use improving your A level grades.

The OP seems seriously mixed up at this point. They've got one thread saying they're applying for Natsci (path unspecified), another saying they're applying for Bionatsci, and a third thread saying they're going to apply for Maths to either Oxford or Cambridge!

One minute they're dropping A levels, then they want to do more A levels, then they want to know which modules they should do, then they're worried they're not doing enough A levels.

Think the OP needs to take a step back here and decide what exactly they want to study and where :smile:
Reply 17
Original post by Fermat42647
I do maths, further maths, biology and chemistry. If i apply for natural sciences i will apply for bionatsci

Okay that’s the perfect combo for bio nat sci, keep the 4! Given that you go to a really good independent school, Cambridge will expect you to have 4A* as an indication that you are one of the best in your school. This doesn’t mean they won’t consider you if your grades aren’t perfect—you can still do really well in the interview and admissions test. But, I recommend making a huge effort to get the 4A* predicted grades. Cambridge wants a super enthusiastic student who can take the workload. The easiest way to convince them that you can take the workload is to have really good grades in a lot of subjects while also fitting in supercurricular activities that show how excited you are for bio nat sci.
Original post by Fermat42647
I am applying to Cambridge Natural sciences from a competitive independent school where the majority of people take 4 a levels. Everyone in the past 5 years who has gotten into the course from my school has taken 4 a levels. I know Cambridge say 4 doesnt have an advantage over 3 but is this actually true? As im pretty sure they expect people to do 4 if most in their school does 4 right? My guidance counsellor showed my the data over the last 5 years and from my school only oeople with 4 a* got in. Therefore as Cambridge compare you against people from your school, am i at a disadvantage with 3?

You have made 5 or 6 threads on this .Read the previous ones and don't make anymore on this subject.
Hey, so basically I am in year 13 . For my GCSEs I got 10 9's and 1 8. I was always really hard working and was my dream to go to Cambridge. I joined a new school and became really depressed last year (year 12) and ended up getting ABCD (maths, bio, chem, further ). I know I can't apply to Cambridge with those grades so l decided to take a gap year, meaning I need to aim for 4A* in my actual a levels this year. I'm willing to put in the work, and do lots of hours after school everyday, but l'm just not sure if there is enough time as there are tons of gaps in knowledge and I'm quite far behind everyone else. I want to know now if there is any point in aiming for 4a*/ if it's possible / if anyone has done it before ?I am more than happy to put in the work now , but is it too late v

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