The Student Room Group

Where to get A-Level predictions during a gap year if colleges aren't able to?

If someone is retaking their A-Levels during their gap year and is not in school anymore but in an independent college and their college suddenly is unable to give a predication where can they go? They have spoken to their previous school but are there any other options? They need the predication to apply for university. Additionally, the same for references - can anyone help?

Reply 1

Original post
by JaneniR
If someone is retaking their A-Levels during their gap year and is not in school anymore but in an independent college and their college suddenly is unable to give a predication where can they go? They have spoken to their previous school but are there any other options? They need the predication to apply for university. Additionally, the same for references - can anyone help?

A private tutor may be able to provide a predicted grade and reference, but they will need to see a certain amount of your work before giving you one, and they will charge you for this. Online learning colleges can provide a predicted, but again, you need to be enrolled with them to get them.

Reply 2

Do not pay any 'tutors' or similar nonsense for fake predicted grades and references - Unis can spot this a mile off. Phone your Unis and explain your situation - each Uni will have a different way of dealing with this situation which is very common.

Reply 3

Original post
by McGinger
Do not pay any 'tutors' or similar nonsense for fake predicted grades and references - Unis can spot this a mile off. Phone your Unis and explain your situation - each Uni will have a different way of dealing with this situation which is very common.

I think you are referring to my comment, but I never told her or anyone to pay a tutor. It is a suggestion as some students do this if they are not in school and need a tutor to support their application. These tutors will also have teaching qualifications so its not fair to dismiss them.

Reply 4

There is no mandatory requirement for any 'tutor' to have a teaching qualification - and some of these organisations are just hugely commercial cons. The OP does not need to pay for anyone to predict grades - just contact the Unis, we are very used to this situation.

Reply 5

Original post
by McGinger
There is no mandatory requirement for any 'tutor' to have a teaching qualification - and some of these organisations are just hugely commercial cons. The OP does not need to pay for anyone to predict grades - just contact the Unis, we are very used to this situation.
You clearly don't read well and you misunderstood.

I have been given predicted grades by my distance learning college and I paid for my course and the UCAS service they offer. Thats what I was talking about. They have tutors who mark our work and give us a predicted grade. Universities can advise of course, but we can also tell the OP our experience too.

Reply 6

The OP is not in school or college - or enrolled in an online or distance learning facility - and that is actually the question I was answering. If they had enrolled with a legitimate education provider to complete their resits then they would clearly not have this issue.

There are illicit 'tutor services' that will, for a fee, provide references and grades to those who they have never actually taught - its all totally fake - and, not surprisingly, these have no credibility with any of the Universities. The important point I was making here is that the OP does not need to use anything black-market like this as Universities do not always insist on external predicted grades - because they are used to 'unsupported resits' and will have ways to work around this issue.

Reply 7

Original post
by McGinger
The OP is not in school or college - or enrolled in an online or distance learning facility - and that is actually the question I was answering. If they had enrolled with a legitimate education provider to complete their resits then they would clearly not have this issue.
There are illicit 'tutor services' that will, for a fee, provide references and grades to those who they have never actually taught - its all totally fake - and, not surprisingly, these have no credibility with any of the Universities. The important point I was making here is that the OP does not need to use anything black-market like this as Universities do not always insist on external predicted grades - because they are used to 'unsupported resits' and will have ways to work around this issue.

I didn't know about that or that type of service existed, that is quite shocking indeed.

I'm with the National Extension College and they have tutors who teach me and provided my predicted grade. They have a dedicated careers and UCAS service that students can use. They are registered as a centre, thats what I was referring to.

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.