The Student Room Group

Am I regarded as a resit candidate?

I took A Levels in sixth form in 2023. Achieved AAB. Undecided in my future I took a gap year and mid gap year in 2024 I began 3 Completely New A Levels in Maths, Chem, Bio scheduled to finish in 2026. I chose these to do medicine as I decided to become a doctor. The 3 A Levels I never took before so am I regarded a resit candidate as I am doing A Levels again but different ones in order to meet entry requirements for Medicine?

Also, if I am or not regarded as a resit candidate what potential issues could this cause and any advice for my situation? I spoke with Birmingham and they said although im not strictly a resit candidate my application would be borderline and they cant make guarantees which seems concerning. Sounds harsh to disregard someone who started fresh with completely new A Levels and took them in same 2 year timeframe and achieved top grades because it took them longer to figure out their career in life. Or maybe thats a personal bias speaking.

Any advice is appreciated.

Reply 1

Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

The Medicine forum gets a high volume of questions being posted, and some of these are already answered by the resources and Megathreads that members of the community and volunteers have created. This is an automatic post which is designed to highlight these resources. Below is a list of threads and articles that could answer your question (you should be looking in the original post of the megathreads). If one of the below threads is a more relevant place to ask your question, please post a reply in that thread to ask your question. If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked below, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.

Megathreads
(Please read the first post, before then posting any further questions you have within that thread.)
The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread
Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work

2024 Applicants :
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2024 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2024 Entry
GAMSAT 2024 / 2025 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2024 Entry Discussions Megathread
Medicine 2024 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2024 Entry
Medicine Interview Discussion 2024 Entry
2024 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2024 Entry

2025 Applicants :
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2025 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
GAMSAT 2025 / 2026 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2025 Entry Discussions Megathread
Medicine 2025 entry for resit/ retake/ gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2025 Entry
Medicine Interview Discussion 2025 Entry
2025 entry A100/ A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2025 Entry

Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2026 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2026 Entry

Useful Articles:
GCSE Requirements for Medicine
Everything you need to know about the BMAT
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
Medicine Personal Statement Advice (Graduate Entry)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application
Funding medicine as a second degree

For Community Feedback:
Medicine Community Feedback and Suggestions

If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.

Reply 2

Original post by nadim1052
I took A Levels in sixth form in 2023. Achieved AAB. Undecided in my future I took a gap year and mid gap year in 2024 I began 3 Completely New A Levels in Maths, Chem, Bio scheduled to finish in 2026. I chose these to do medicine as I decided to become a doctor. The 3 A Levels I never took before so am I regarded a resit candidate as I am doing A Levels again but different ones in order to meet entry requirements for Medicine?
Also, if I am or not regarded as a resit candidate what potential issues could this cause and any advice for my situation? I spoke with Birmingham and they said although im not strictly a resit candidate my application would be borderline and they cant make guarantees which seems concerning. Sounds harsh to disregard someone who started fresh with completely new A Levels and took them in same 2 year timeframe and achieved top grades because it took them longer to figure out their career in life. Or maybe thats a personal bias speaking.
Any advice is appreciated.

What is your. GCSEs grades and what unis are you thinking ?

Reply 3

Original post by nadim1052
I took A Levels in sixth form in 2023. Achieved AAB. Undecided in my future I took a gap year and mid gap year in 2024 I began 3 Completely New A Levels in Maths, Chem, Bio scheduled to finish in 2026. I chose these to do medicine as I decided to become a doctor. The 3 A Levels I never took before so am I regarded a resit candidate as I am doing A Levels again but different ones in order to meet entry requirements for Medicine?
Also, if I am or not regarded as a resit candidate what potential issues could this cause and any advice for my situation? I spoke with Birmingham and they said although im not strictly a resit candidate my application would be borderline and they cant make guarantees which seems concerning. Sounds harsh to disregard someone who started fresh with completely new A Levels and took them in same 2 year timeframe and achieved top grades because it took them longer to figure out their career in life. Or maybe thats a personal bias speaking.
Any advice is appreciated.


I’m in the same situation except I’m planning to sit 3 completely new A levels in one year, my school forced me down to two A-level subjects so I was thinking would it be classed as being sat “in the same sitting” or the same as “resitting” because I’m sitting the same amount of a levels in a shorter frame which I’m thinking could possible prove my potential if I get all 5 high grades of A/A*

Reply 4

Original post by Ariale
What is your. GCSEs grades and what unis are you thinking ?

i achieved all 9s except combined science it was 9/8. i was thinking birmingham, bristol, manchester, ucl

Reply 5

Original post by Jenye1
I’m in the same situation except I’m planning to sit 3 completely new A levels in one year, my school forced me down to two A-level subjects so I was thinking would it be classed as being sat “in the same sitting” or the same as “resitting” because I’m sitting the same amount of a levels in a shorter frame which I’m thinking could possible prove my potential if I get all 5 high grades of A/A*

i spoke with birmingham and all they said was although strictly it doesnt count as resitting as its not the same subject my application would be borderline... not much help at all and dont really know what to do with that information, i know there are some unis like bristol who accept resits no matter what, but that really limits options down.

Reply 6

Original post by nadim1052
i spoke with birmingham and all they said was although strictly it doesnt count as resitting as its not the same subject my application would be borderline... not much help at all and dont really know what to do with that information, i know there are some unis like bristol who accept resits no matter what, but that really limits options down.


What is borderline supposed to mean 🥲, good luck though I hope you find a way in medicine 😭

Reply 7

Original post by Jenye1
What is borderline supposed to mean 🥲, good luck though I hope you find a way in medicine 😭

ikr😂 thank you and same to u good luck with everything all the best

Quick Reply