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What do Universities Mean when they say they don’t allow A-level Resits?

When certain universities claim that they don’t accept A-level resits what do they mean?

Do they mean they won’t accept you if you retake the same A-level subjects you already took exams for at the end of Year 13? Or, do they mean they won’t accept you if you retake any A-level exams at all in a second attempt at A-levels?

For example, imagine if someone studied Biology, Chemistry and Maths and got CCC at the end of Year 13 but then retook those same subjects and got AAA - they wouldn’t be accepted.

But what if that same person had instead took three different A-level subjects such as: Geography, History and Economics and somehow managed to get AAA in one year. That person would have retaken A-levels but not the same subjects. So, would such universities allow them?

Reply 1

Both would not be accepted, because it’s less impressive for someone to achieve good grades in 3 years, as they should know the a level exam technique better , than it is in 2.

Reply 2

Which Unis are you referring to?
Most no longer worry about this at all.
Original post
by m_040106
When certain universities claim that they don’t accept A-level resits what do they mean?

Do they mean they won’t accept you if you retake the same A-level subjects you already took exams for at the end of Year 13? Or, do they mean they won’t accept you if you retake any A-level exams at all in a second attempt at A-levels?

For example, imagine if someone studied Biology, Chemistry and Maths and got CCC at the end of Year 13 but then retook those same subjects and got AAA - they wouldn’t be accepted.

But what if that same person had instead took three different A-level subjects such as: Geography, History and Economics and somehow managed to get AAA in one year. That person would have retaken A-levels but not the same subjects. So, would such universities allow them?

This really depends on a uni by uni basis (sometimes course by course). Some may not accept either, some may be fine with a "false start" in the wrong subjects if you're taking three new subjects (rather than continuing on then taking two new ones or similar), others may not have any issues even if you retake your original subjects.

Reply 4

What unis and what went wrong the first time?Also what course are you wanting to do?
The second example is a very course specific question. It’s not a retake but I guess some
Unis may not like a second attempt at three subjects.

Reply 6

Original post
by m_040106
When certain universities claim that they don’t accept A-level resits what do they mean?
Do they mean they won’t accept you if you retake the same A-level subjects you already took exams for at the end of Year 13? Or, do they mean they won’t accept you if you retake any A-level exams at all in a second attempt at A-levels?
For example, imagine if someone studied Biology, Chemistry and Maths and got CCC at the end of Year 13 but then retook those same subjects and got AAA - they wouldn’t be accepted.
But what if that same person had instead took three different A-level subjects such as: Geography, History and Economics and somehow managed to get AAA in one year. That person would have retaken A-levels but not the same subjects. So, would such universities allow them?

Hi, I was wondering what offers you ended up getting in your resit year?

Reply 7

Original post
by m_040106
When certain universities claim that they don’t accept A-level resits what do they mean?
Do they mean they won’t accept you if you retake the same A-level subjects you already took exams for at the end of Year 13? Or, do they mean they won’t accept you if you retake any A-level exams at all in a second attempt at A-levels?
For example, imagine if someone studied Biology, Chemistry and Maths and got CCC at the end of Year 13 but then retook those same subjects and got AAA - they wouldn’t be accepted.
But what if that same person had instead took three different A-level subjects such as: Geography, History and Economics and somehow managed to get AAA in one year. That person would have retaken A-levels but not the same subjects. So, would such universities allow them?

I will use medicine as an example.

All unis require you to take chem and a few require chemistry and biology. The third is up to you, e.g. maths, econ, psychology etc.

If someone got a C in chemistry then without extenuating circumstances most unis would not accept their application. However if they were resitting their 3rd A-level, it matters less, and I'd imagine universities would be less strict about that.

The second scenario you describe most likely could only happen if the student applied for a completely different course entirely.
Original post
by m_040106
When certain universities claim that they don’t accept A-level resits what do they mean?

Do they mean they won’t accept you if you retake the same A-level subjects you already took exams for at the end of Year 13? Or, do they mean they won’t accept you if you retake any A-level exams at all in a second attempt at A-levels?

For example, imagine if someone studied Biology, Chemistry and Maths and got CCC at the end of Year 13 but then retook those same subjects and got AAA - they wouldn’t be accepted.

But what if that same person had instead took three different A-level subjects such as: Geography, History and Economics and somehow managed to get AAA in one year. That person would have retaken A-levels but not the same subjects. So, would such universities allow them?


Not accept resits generally rules out scenario A you outlined above.

As noted above, for scenario B it's much more case by case - some unis wouldn't accept that, others would.

If you have a specific course/uni in mind it might be more possible to give input into that.

Original post
by Rageshhhh
All unis require you to take chem and a few require chemistry and biology. The third is up to you, e.g. maths, econ, psychology etc.

If someone got a C in chemistry then without extenuating circumstances most unis would not accept their application. However if they were resitting their 3rd A-level, it matters less, and I'd imagine universities would be less strict about that.


Not all medical schools require chemistry (only about half of them), and if they don't allow resits then this will apply in the same manner to all A-levels, not just required subjects. Also some medical schools do accept resits under various circumstances anyway (and some don't event accept resist with extenuating circumstances).
(edited 7 months ago)

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