Do universities care more about AS Levels or GCSEs?

Hey everyone! I was wondering whether universities care more about AS grades or GCSEs. I had mitigating circumstances for my GCSEs which made me achieve lower grades than I was capable of (but still got A*s and As in core subjects) but I got AAA for my AS levels. I was wondering whether the elite unis would care more about my AS levels or GCSEs. Some people say that GCSEs are more important because not everyone takes AS and some people say that AS levels are more important because they are more recent. I am predicted to achieve A* A* A* for my A Levels but I am so nervous about my GCSEs which are A* A* A A A B B D (D in fine art) as the average applicant to the elite universities achieve all A*s/9-8s.

Looking forward to all of your opinions and ideas!!

Reply 1

hdjsjansk

I have very similar circumstances ! please let me know if there’s a response to this question

Reply 2

sprawling-requis

Oh cool to know im not alone! I will definitely let you know if there’s any answers. Btw, do you mind me asking your GCSEs and the unis you are considering?

Reply 3

hdjsjansk

Original post

by sprawling-requis

Oh cool to know im not alone! I will definitely let you know if there’s any answers. Btw, do you mind me asking your GCSEs and the unis you are considering?

88777666 and thinking of applying to camb, lse, ucl, kcl

Reply 4

McGinger

Most Unis don't actually look at AS grades - because not everyone takes them, and therefore using them as part of formal scoring wouldn't be fair or equitable. And for GCSEs, they usually only assess your top 5 or whatever grades, and this forms very small part of the overall weightings, so one random D grade is not going to be a deal breaker. As an example, Bristol uses these weightings for Law - 20% GCSEs / 40% A levels / 40% LNAT.