Year 12 mocks, extenuating circumstances, and clearing
Hiiii!
I'm sitting my year 12 Mock exams over the next two weeks and worried about the results. If I don't do well will I still get uni offers? If I don't get any will I have to go through clearing and how does that work?. I have a long term health condition and a few other extenuating circumstances that have occurred this year such as bereavement and etc so I'm HOPING that teachers will take this into account when they're doing my predictions. Are extenuating circumstances something unis are willing to overlook? How much do they actually take them into account?
I ideally do not want to take a gap year and reapply for 2027 entry but I have been looking at foundation year courses, they just seem to be looked down upon in comparison to the standard undergrad degree. Oxford has a foundation degree course that is BBB for example. For context I'm studying english lit, history and music and in my last mocks I got CCD in that order. This time round I'm hoping for BBC so that my predictions are AAB/A*AB but that's hopeful. I want to study english lit/ law at uni. Any help on anything said would be much appreciated 🙏
I'm sitting my year 12 Mock exams over the next two weeks and worried about the results. If I don't do well will I still get uni offers? If I don't get any will I have to go through clearing and how does that work?. I have a long term health condition and a few other extenuating circumstances that have occurred this year such as bereavement and etc so I'm HOPING that teachers will take this into account when they're doing my predictions. Are extenuating circumstances something unis are willing to overlook? How much do they actually take them into account?
I ideally do not want to take a gap year and reapply for 2027 entry but I have been looking at foundation year courses, they just seem to be looked down upon in comparison to the standard undergrad degree. Oxford has a foundation degree course that is BBB for example. For context I'm studying english lit, history and music and in my last mocks I got CCD in that order. This time round I'm hoping for BBC so that my predictions are AAB/A*AB but that's hopeful. I want to study english lit/ law at uni. Any help on anything said would be much appreciated 🙏
Reply 1
Original post
by Student20072Hiiii!
I'm sitting my year 12 Mock exams over the next two weeks and worried about the results. If I don't do well will I still get uni offers? If I don't get any will I have to go through clearing and how does that work?. I have a long term health condition and a few other extenuating circumstances that have occurred this year such as bereavement and etc so I'm HOPING that teachers will take this into account when they're doing my predictions. Are extenuating circumstances something unis are willing to overlook? How much do they actually take them into account?
I ideally do not want to take a gap year and reapply for 2027 entry but I have been looking at foundation year courses, they just seem to be looked down upon in comparison to the standard undergrad degree. Oxford has a foundation degree course that is BBB for example. For context I'm studying english lit, history and music and in my last mocks I got CCD in that order. This time round I'm hoping for BBC so that my predictions are AAB/A*AB but that's hopeful. I want to study english lit/ law at uni. Any help on anything said would be much appreciated 🙏
I'm sitting my year 12 Mock exams over the next two weeks and worried about the results. If I don't do well will I still get uni offers? If I don't get any will I have to go through clearing and how does that work?. I have a long term health condition and a few other extenuating circumstances that have occurred this year such as bereavement and etc so I'm HOPING that teachers will take this into account when they're doing my predictions. Are extenuating circumstances something unis are willing to overlook? How much do they actually take them into account?
I ideally do not want to take a gap year and reapply for 2027 entry but I have been looking at foundation year courses, they just seem to be looked down upon in comparison to the standard undergrad degree. Oxford has a foundation degree course that is BBB for example. For context I'm studying english lit, history and music and in my last mocks I got CCD in that order. This time round I'm hoping for BBC so that my predictions are AAB/A*AB but that's hopeful. I want to study english lit/ law at uni. Any help on anything said would be much appreciated 🙏
heyyy, ive been through a bereavement this year and did not do my mocks but my teachers were supportive and helped me with my uni application etc, they put in their own references cuz i think its mandatory and in the ref they will talk about your circs and thats what they did for me and they still offered me, i got 4 offers back and they were conditional, i think if your grades are really good too they could give u a unconditional offer but if u get a conditional then you will baso have a lowered entry requirement to meet and i think if your off a couple marks or smth from the next grade they still let u in, and ig it also depends which uni you wana go e.g if its a prestigious uni then maayyybbbbeeee there is a chance but that depends on your grades and personal statement etc but if its a normal uni then yeah defo, i think you can get in, talk to your tutors and teachers, they should be able to support you!! also clearing does help to get you into uni so either way unless if your grades are like horribly bad then dont worry about getting into uni, i think you should be fine!
Reply 2
Do not worry about year 12 Mocks, you will have more exams in 2026 before your A levels that will serve you for your application. If your school want to support you, theres no reason why a 'bad' mock result will hold you back! Do not fear. 
Reply 3
Hi @Student20072
Thank you so much for your message 😊. We’re very sorry to hear about your circumstances and your recent loss.
It’s great that you’re interested in English Literature and Law! 🧑 Both are exciting subjects and a good focus during this time.
It’s important to remember that mocks are exactly that - mocks, not the real thing! They’re just one part of the picture and are used to help you and your teachers see where you are right now, not where you’ll end up.
Universities appreciate that things can change a lot between now and next year. If your Year 12 mock results aren’t quite what you hoped for, your teachers can still use their professional judgment when predicting your grades, especially if they know you’re motivated and making progress. Your school can also flag any extenuating circumstances on your UCAS application, and many universities take these into serious consideration when reviewing applications.
Foundation year courses can be a good pathway into university, especially for students whose grades might not fully reflect their potential due to personal challenges. There’s absolutely no shame in choosing that route; many students go on to excel in their full degree programmes afterward.
If it turns out your offers don’t work out, Clearing is another option. It’s designed to support students in finding the right course and is used by thousands every year. However, it’s still very early to worry about Clearing, so I wouldn’t focus too much on that just yet.
I hope that this helps, and please remember to be kind to yourself during this time. Should you have any questions, please do let us know!
Best wishes,
Clare
Admissions
Oxford Brookes University
Thank you so much for your message 😊. We’re very sorry to hear about your circumstances and your recent loss.
It’s great that you’re interested in English Literature and Law! 🧑 Both are exciting subjects and a good focus during this time.
It’s important to remember that mocks are exactly that - mocks, not the real thing! They’re just one part of the picture and are used to help you and your teachers see where you are right now, not where you’ll end up.
Universities appreciate that things can change a lot between now and next year. If your Year 12 mock results aren’t quite what you hoped for, your teachers can still use their professional judgment when predicting your grades, especially if they know you’re motivated and making progress. Your school can also flag any extenuating circumstances on your UCAS application, and many universities take these into serious consideration when reviewing applications.
Foundation year courses can be a good pathway into university, especially for students whose grades might not fully reflect their potential due to personal challenges. There’s absolutely no shame in choosing that route; many students go on to excel in their full degree programmes afterward.
If it turns out your offers don’t work out, Clearing is another option. It’s designed to support students in finding the right course and is used by thousands every year. However, it’s still very early to worry about Clearing, so I wouldn’t focus too much on that just yet.
I hope that this helps, and please remember to be kind to yourself during this time. Should you have any questions, please do let us know!
Best wishes,
Clare
Admissions
Oxford Brookes University
(edited 7 months ago)
Reply 4
20
Wait until you get your actual predicted grades.
Make 5 sensible UCAS choices based on those grades.
Submit your application before the January 2026 deadline.
You have plenty of time to work out what to do and you don not need to worry about Clearing just yet.
Make 5 sensible UCAS choices based on those grades.
Submit your application before the January 2026 deadline.
You have plenty of time to work out what to do and you don not need to worry about Clearing just yet.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Clearing - Special Consideration
- Hero to 0️⃣
- What does Extenuating Circumstances actually do?
- Warwick university applications
- should I resit year 12? + urgent advice needed
- Predicted grades
- A Level Mix up question
- will my gcse grades hold me back?
- Worth to resit them?
- Rejected from UCL Law but...
- Are contextual offers available for me?
- Considering gap year
- sixth form - resitting year 12
- Can I still go to uni if my predicteds are low but actual grades high?
- Personal circumstances changed
- am I cooked if I get BBC in my a-levels? (health issues)
- Applying to Oxford materials science
- would this count as an extenuating circumstance?
- How lenient is Exeter for biological science?
- Oxbridge opinions on year 12 resits
Latest
Trending
Last reply 4 months ago
UCAT in 6 weeks..but my father wants me to learn ALL year 13 content!?!?!?Last reply 5 months ago
A Level+ Results Day 2025 Countdown thread - UCAS Hub is open #BeResultsProudLast reply 6 months ago
Further Maths Edexcel Grade Boundaries 2025 - CP1 CP2 FM1 FS1Last reply 6 months ago
LNAT Warning – Don’t Waste Your Time (or Money) on Arbitio!!!Last reply 6 months ago
Will I be predicted A*??? BIOLOGY plsss replyLast reply 6 months ago
How do I convince my teacher to let me take A-levels
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
