The Student Room Group

Unfair predicted grades- what do I do now?

I am a Year 13 student studying Business Studies, Geography, and English Literature. In my AS-levels, I achieved AAB and was predicted quite high. However, in my recent mocks, I got ABC. I also completed a modern foreign language in Year 12 and achieved an A*, which many universities confirmed could count as my third subject. This led me to prioritise my other two A-levels over English Literature.

Despite this, my teachers have predicted me ABC due to my school’s strict policy on predictions, which applies to everyone and isn’t likely to change. This means my UCAS application will be A*ABC. However, based on my abilities, I’m confident I will achieve AA in my remaining 2 A-levels, Business and Geography.

I really want to study Law at the University of Birmingham or the University of Nottingham, but their entry requirements are AAA, and after contacting them, they’ve said it’s unlikely I’d be accepted with my current predictions.

This leaves me with two options:

1) Accept an offer from a university with lower entry requirements, like the University of Leicester (AAB).
2) Take a gap year to apply again next year with achieved grades, likely A*AAC which I am more than confident I will get

I’m unsure of the best course of action. Should I take the gap year and reapply with stronger grades or compromise and attend a university with lower requirements? Any advice would be appreciated!

I got 9877777666 in GCSEs for context.

Reply 1

You could check whether either of your preferred unis had any places in clearing this year and if so, what were the entry requirements. Not ideal but possibly a way in to either.

Reply 2

I think you have the two options open to you there, as you stated.

If I were you, I would apply and then decide on results day if you want to take the place at Leicester or decline it and take a gap year to reapply. By applying now, you keep both options open and decide based on the results you do actually get.

Is Leicester the only place you are applying to? If you have a gap in your 5 then bung down UoB and UoN anyway. What would you have to lose?
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 3

Original post
by totallyfine
I think you have the two options open to you there, as you stated.
If I were you, I would apply and then decide on results day if you want to take the place at Leicester or decline it and take a gap year to reapply. By applying now, you keep both options open and decide based on the results you do actually get.
Is Leicester the only place you are applying to? If you have a gap in your 5 then bung down UoB and UoN anyway. What would you have to lose?

Yeah true, I will probably apply to UoB and UoN and see what their saying I probably have a 10% chance but why not.

Reply 4

Original post
by Jakeclarke
Yeah true, I will probably apply to UoB and UoN and see what their saying I probably have a 10% chance but why not.

Where else would you apply besides Nottingham, Birmingham or Leicester to make your five choices?

I don’t think it’s very wise to pick a low-ranking university to apply to for law since it will probably be in Clearing after your results in August anyway.

Reply 5

Original post
by m_040106
Where else would you apply besides Nottingham, Birmingham or Leicester to make your five choices?
I don’t think it’s very wise to pick a low-ranking university to apply to for law since it will probably be in Clearing after your results in August anyway.

I think its wise as a back up choice if the predicted grades are restricting other options. It secures an offer before results day rather than in a panicked few days and allows students to consider carefully where the would like to go.

Reply 6

Original post
by m_040106
Where else would you apply besides Nottingham, Birmingham or Leicester to make your five choices?
I don’t think it’s very wise to pick a low-ranking university to apply to for law since it will probably be in Clearing after your results in August anyway.

I would probably do Aston University and Keele maybe, I probably need to do more research

Reply 7

Original post
by Jakeclarke
I am a Year 13 student studying Business Studies, Geography, and English Literature. In my AS-levels, I achieved AAB and was predicted quite high. However, in my recent mocks, I got ABC. I also completed a modern foreign language in Year 12 and achieved an A*, which many universities confirmed could count as my third subject. This led me to prioritise my other two A-levels over English Literature.
Despite this, my teachers have predicted me ABC due to my school’s strict policy on predictions, which applies to everyone and isn’t likely to change. This means my UCAS application will be A*ABC. However, based on my abilities, I’m confident I will achieve AA in my remaining 2 A-levels, Business and Geography.
I really want to study Law at the University of Birmingham or the University of Nottingham, but their entry requirements are AAA, and after contacting them, they’ve said it’s unlikely I’d be accepted with my current predictions.
This leaves me with two options:
1) Accept an offer from a university with lower entry requirements, like the University of Leicester (AAB).
2) Take a gap year to apply again next year with achieved grades, likely A*AAC which I am more than confident I will get
I’m unsure of the best course of action. Should I take the gap year and reapply with stronger grades or compromise and attend a university with lower requirements? Any advice would be appreciated!
I got 9877777666 in GCSEs for context.


How come your applying with 4 a levels when only 3 are considered.
So could you not just apply with a star a and b as there your best 3

Reply 8

Original post
by mannymoh15
How come your applying with 4 a levels when only 3 are considered.
So could you not just apply with a star a and b as there your best 3

OP would need to be careful as some universities prefer to see candidates with 3 a levels in the same sitting.

Reply 9

Apply to both Brum and Notts. They ask for AAA, neither use LNAT and I can't believe that they dont make any offers to those with A*AB. Your other choices should be lower grade choices that you would still be happy to go to.
Original post
by Jakeclarke
I am a Year 13 student studying Business Studies, Geography, and English Literature. In my AS-levels, I achieved AAB and was predicted quite high. However, in my recent mocks, I got ABC. I also completed a modern foreign language in Year 12 and achieved an A*, which many universities confirmed could count as my third subject. This led me to prioritise my other two A-levels over English Literature.
Despite this, my teachers have predicted me ABC due to my school’s strict policy on predictions, which applies to everyone and isn’t likely to change. This means my UCAS application will be A*ABC. However, based on my abilities, I’m confident I will achieve AA in my remaining 2 A-levels, Business and Geography.
I really want to study Law at the University of Birmingham or the University of Nottingham, but their entry requirements are AAA, and after contacting them, they’ve said it’s unlikely I’d be accepted with my current predictions.
This leaves me with two options:
1) Accept an offer from a university with lower entry requirements, like the University of Leicester (AAB).
2) Take a gap year to apply again next year with achieved grades, likely A*AAC which I am more than confident I will get
I’m unsure of the best course of action. Should I take the gap year and reapply with stronger grades or compromise and attend a university with lower requirements? Any advice would be appreciated!
I got 9877777666 in GCSEs for context.

Hello 👋,

I would just like to shed some light on what our Law courses have on offer to help you make an informed decision ☺️

As a whole:

🌟You will gain practical experience including many pro bono opportunities across legal advice and support projects

🌟 There is a moot court where you can practice your legal arguments

🌟 There is an annual Law Fair which attracts leading employers with all five Magic Circle firms have visited Leicester to recruit students

🌟 There is a Legal Advice Clinic which offers free advice to members of the public and the students can work under the supervision of qualified solicitors to provide legal advice to the public, free of charge

For course structure and what you will cover in each year on the Law LLB course, please click here for more information 📚

If you are interested in Law joint with other topics (Eg LLB Law with Criminology), please click here

We also have a careers and employability service, dedicated in helping students develop skills and prepare them for employment, post graduation.

They offer a variety of support:

🏢1:1 Appointments (career coaching, mock interviews/assessments etc…)

🏢Support in applications and CVs

Important note: there is a lifetime guarantee with this service as they will continue to support you throughout your career as you will continue to have access to their online careers platform.

I hope this has helped, please feel free to reach out if you have any more questions, or even about our campus or student life 😊

Zara
Psychology BSc

Quick Reply

How The Student Room is moderated

To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.