The Student Room Group

ESAT results for Cambridge

I’m in Yr 13 and have applied for Bio Nat Sci at Queen’s College Cambridge.
I just got my ESAT results and don’t really know what to think.
I got: Bio 7.0, Maths - 3.4, Chem - 4.4
Happy with Bio but not the others.
How do you think this impacts my chances of receiving an interview and subsequently an offer?
For some more context:
I am predicted A*s in Chemistry, Biology and Maths and my archaeology based EPQ and an A in Latin
I think I have quite a strong personal statement.
I got 10 9s and 2 8s at GCSE (in Art and Further Maths)
I’m hoping my Further maths 8 and Maths 9 (which I took a year early and got an 8, then retook early again in November to get a 9) might make up for my disappointing ESAT Maths score.
I am female and go to a private school so these results are slightly less good within context.
I think, if given an interview, I would have a good chance of doing quite well.
Any thoughts on my chances/advice?

Reply 1

Original post
by Anonymous
I’m in Yr 13 and have applied for Bio Nat Sci at Queen’s College Cambridge.
I just got my ESAT results and don’t really know what to think.
I got: Bio 7.0, Maths - 3.4, Chem - 4.4
Happy with Bio but not the others.
How do you think this impacts my chances of receiving an interview and subsequently an offer?
For some more context:
I am predicted A*s in Chemistry, Biology and Maths and my archaeology based EPQ and an A in Latin
I think I have quite a strong personal statement.
I got 10 9s and 2 8s at GCSE (in Art and Further Maths)
I’m hoping my Further maths 8 and Maths 9 (which I took a year early and got an 8, then retook early again in November to get a 9) might make up for my disappointing ESAT Maths score.
I am female and go to a private school so these results are slightly less good within context.
I think, if given an interview, I would have a good chance of doing quite well.
Any thoughts on my chances/advice?

Don’t worry too much Cambridge looks at your whole profile, not just ESAT. Bio 7.0 is solid, and your predicted A*s, GCSEs, EPQ, and personal statement all strengthen your case.
Maths is lower than ideal, but your early Further Maths and Maths 9 help show your ability. If you get an interview, doing well there can outweigh the ESAT score. Keep prepping for interviews and highlighting your interests your overall profile is still strong.

Reply 2

Original post
by Kuriknowsbest98
Don’t worry too much Cambridge looks at your whole profile, not just ESAT. Bio 7.0 is solid, and your predicted A*s, GCSEs, EPQ, and personal statement all strengthen your case.
Maths is lower than ideal, but your early Further Maths and Maths 9 help show your ability. If you get an interview, doing well there can outweigh the ESAT score. Keep prepping for interviews and highlighting your interests your overall profile is still strong.


Thanks so much for your advice!

Reply 3

Original post
by Anonymous
Thanks so much for your advice!

Of course!

Reply 4

why would u think a grade 8 and 9 in gcse fm and maths would make up for your esat score? i get that they look at your application as a whole but esat holds a large weight in the application process and doesn’t even test for the same skills as gcse

Reply 5

Original post
by Anonymous
why would u think a grade 8 and 9 in gcse fm and maths would make up for your esat score? i get that they look at your application as a whole but esat holds a large weight in the application process and doesn’t even test for the same skills as gcse


Obviously it wouldn’t make up for it but idk I was hoping it might show that it was just a bad day and I am acc quite good at maths. A long shot but you never know

Reply 6

my friend got an interview for physical natsci at Cambridge and his esat was like 4-5 so I think u should will probably get an interview

Reply 7

Original post
by Anonymous
my friend got an interview for physical natsci at Cambridge and his esat was like 4-5 so I think u should will probably get an interview


Tysm, that’s reassuring

Quick Reply

How The Student Room is moderated

To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.