The Student Room Group

maths at oxford uni

hey
i have made an application to oxford with A*A*A, but the A is in further maths. i was told i would achieve the A* in fm, but was basically told the day of the deadline that i wouldnt be getting the prediction, despite getting good grades in y12. my teacher says that my application relies heavily on my MAT, which i do agree with, but of course an applicant with a similar MAT score but A* in fm would be preferred above me. not sure what to do now as i cant even change my course to maths and cs, which has a slightly lower requirement. really upset.

Reply 1

Original post
by Anonymous
hey
i have made an application to oxford with A*A*A, but the A is in further maths. i was told i would achieve the A* in fm, but was basically told the day of the deadline that i wouldnt be getting the prediction, despite getting good grades in y12. my teacher says that my application relies heavily on my MAT, which i do agree with, but of course an applicant with a similar MAT score but A* in fm would be preferred above me. not sure what to do now as i cant even change my course to maths and cs, which has a slightly lower requirement. really upset.

It does not work like that though.

Your application would be viewed holistically including your performance in MAT and interview including your other application materials. It’s not simple that an applicant with similar MAT score but a prediction of an A* in F. maths would be put ahead of you.

My suggestion is to bin that thought and focus on your prep and performance in MAT and the interview. I really hope you do well and get in.

If you do get in, please raise a pint to me in your College bar.

Good luck
Why do you assume someone with a predicted A* grade would be preferred over you? Unis are aware how wildly inconsistent predicted grades are and the whole reason Oxford uses the MAT is in order to avoid having to rely on them I imagine?

Reply 3

If they cared deeply about having a prediction of an A star in FM, they would make that a requirement.

If your predictions meet the conditions, you have as good a chance as anyone else - ie it comes down to all the other factors, and the MAT will be crucial as the next step.

Reply 4

Original post
by Anonymous
hey
i have made an application to oxford with A*A*A, but the A is in further maths. i was told i would achieve the A* in fm, but was basically told the day of the deadline that i wouldnt be getting the prediction, despite getting good grades in y12. my teacher says that my application relies heavily on my MAT, which i do agree with, but of course an applicant with a similar MAT score but A* in fm would be preferred above me. not sure what to do now as i cant even change my course to maths and cs, which has a slightly lower requirement. really upset.
The picture you describe doesn’t sound great if you were genuinely told by your school that you would achieve A* in fm but then given an A prediction, particularly so if this was done at the very last minute. Oxford states that their admission requirements for maths are “A*A*A with the A*s in Mathematics and Further Mathematics (if available).” so it appears that you are in the unfortunate position of having submitted an application that doesn’t meet these. I’m not sure if a strong MAT score would make the difference but others on here will have a better view - @RichE any thoughts? In the meantime just focus as best you can on your MAT.

Reply 5

I was having a yap with some third year mathematician today. I'm second year law. Maths guy says Oxford maths is super hard. I don't envy you lot. Good luck, it could all come right! As people say above, if they wanted A star, they'd say so. Give it a go, you never know what might happen!

Reply 6

Original post
by Mr Tangle
I was having a yap with some third year mathematician today. I'm second year law. Maths guy says Oxford maths is super hard. I don't envy you lot. Good luck, it could all come right! As people say above, if they wanted A star, they'd say so. Give it a go, you never know what might happen!

haha thank you! only problem is, the entry reqs on oxford's website do say that they want the double A* in maths and fm. oh well, i'm still giving it a go; my teacher says it should be viewed holistically anyways (hopefully).

Reply 7

Original post
by artful_lounger
Why do you assume someone with a predicted A* grade would be preferred over you? Unis are aware how wildly inconsistent predicted grades are and the whole reason Oxford uses the MAT is in order to avoid having to rely on them I imagine?

yeahh their criteria are strange in some cases. i know someone who got an offer with 51 percent in MAT, over her peers who got like 75. i guess the A* prediction wouldve been a good thing to fall back on if the MAT didnt go to well, such as the girl with 51%.

Reply 8

Original post
by Wired_1800
It does not work like that though.
Your application would be viewed holistically including your performance in MAT and interview including your other application materials. It’s not simple that an applicant with similar MAT score but a prediction of an A* in F. maths would be put ahead of you.
My suggestion is to bin that thought and focus on your prep and performance in MAT and the interview. I really hope you do well and get in.
If you do get in, please raise a pint to me in your College bar.
Good luck

thank you very much, i appreciate the advice a lot, its very reassuring. hope it works out for me :smile:)

Reply 9

Original post
by henrycomeon
thank you very much, i appreciate the advice a lot, its very reassuring. hope it works out for me :smile:)

:smile:

Reply 10

Original post
by Anonymous
haha thank you! only problem is, the entry reqs on oxford's website do say that they want the double A* in maths and fm. oh well, i'm still giving it a go; my teacher says it should be viewed holistically anyways (hopefully).

Sorry! My bad!

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