Scored a 68(high 2:1) at 15, is politics for me ?

I recently entered an essay competition - it was called the Oxford IQ essay competition- and was made to enter in the 16-19 age group. It was my first academic/university marking style essay and I scored a 68 after spending my Christmas holidays working on it . I also received a £3850 scholarship form there original £7000 price for their summer program ( I am not going though as it’s still REALLY expensive)

Initially this seemed amazing and I was ecstatic as I had no prior political, historical knowledge - did none for GCSEs and I don’t even watch the news LOLLl- and had to do ALOT of research.

However, shortly after I was informed that the competition is not actually done by Oxford university - which I should have researched prior to spending so much time on the essay now that I think back - and I am seriously questioning the credibility of this competition as no one I talk to has ever heard about it before .

The entire reason of my entry , when I had literally no political knowledge - I didnt know who Starmer was up until a few days ago LOLL- and was figuring out if I should take politics a level as I felt I would really like it but was concerned if I would be able to cope.I had always thought I was destined to the medical route because those were the subjects I did , and did well at but never really felt any passion for it - aside from the money

I was just soooO excited at first after doing this and feeling that I had done well but am not sure if it is even credible and why my mark was so low - I have never gotten 68% on anything and it just really hurt to get that mark after so much effort .

So thanks for reading this, it’s much appreciated, and does anyone know if politics and the PPE route at an oxbridge university or anything similarly recognised could be an achievable goal for me ? Is the 68 mark even accurate, and is this as bad as I think it is ? Will the competition be useful to put in applications ?

Reply 1

Habibabobs

Also for anyone that might be curious my chosen question was : “Can there be such thing as an Islamic democracy?”

Reply 2

xyz1234567

I don’t think entering this competition or the mark you got for the essay tells us anything about whether you can make a competitive application for PPE. As you say, the competition isn’t organised by Oxford. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t credible or rigorously marked but we just don’t know.

Bear in mind that at undergraduate level a 68 is a very good mark. It is not like at school where a good mark will be something in the 90s. A mark of 70 is first class and very few papers get marks higher than around 73/74.

Reply 3

Habibabobs

Original post

by xyz1234567

I don’t think entering this competition or the mark you got for the essay tells us anything about whether you can make a competitive application for PPE. As you say, the competition isn’t organised by Oxford. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t credible or rigorously marked but we just don’t know.
Bear in mind that at undergraduate level a 68 is a very good mark. It is not like at school where a good mark will be something in the 90s. A mark of 70 is first class and very few papers get marks higher than around 73/74.

Do you think it can help guide me as to whether politics a level is a good decision.

Also, for some background my other a levels (in terms of what I ideally want to take) was maths and chem and bio alongside it . Is maths and politics enough for most PPE routes - apologies for forgetting that detail.

Thanks so much for the mark clarification , I hadn’t realised that the 100 was an unachievable hypothetical. That was very nice to hear - I just hope it was accurate but as you said we do not know. .

Reply 4

xyz1234567

The only recommended subject for PPE is maths. Doing politics is not necessary and Oxford explicitly state that on the admissions pages. Of course doing politics might help you decide if it is something you love and want to take further, but it won’t affect your chances of getting in.

But what about the other P and E? You have to study all 3 in the first year. Are you also excited about those subjects?

Reply 5

Habibabobs

Original post

by xyz1234567

The only recommended subject for PPE is maths. Doing politics is not necessary and Oxford explicitly state that on the admissions pages. Of course doing politics might help you decide if it is something you love and want to take further, but it won’t affect your chances of getting in.
But what about the other P and E? You have to study all 3 in the first year. Are you also excited about those subjects?

That is relief, in that case I will likely not take it as an a level and perhaps an epq topic I am , interested in, where all the PPEs converge (also I haven’t looked at economics but have a particular interest in philosophy).

Is this still competitive though, against applicants that may have taken politics , economics and maths for instance with my same grades.

Lastly, thanks for all the advice and that heads up

Reply 6

xyz1234567

If they had a preference for people who took economics and politics A levels they would say that and make them recommended subjects. As it is they are not even listed as “helpful” subjects.

Reply 7

Habibabobs

Original post

by xyz1234567

If they had a preference for people who took economics and politics A levels they would say that and make them recommended subjects. As it is they are not even listed as “helpful” subjects.

Oh I didn’t know that. I will look at all my preferred unis then and , fingers crossed they will be the same.

Thanks SOOO much - this has helped tremendously and taken away the load of having to juggle a 4th a level . I cannot tell how much this has been stressing me out and now, realising that I had omitted that kinda important detail LOLLl, I feel worlds better .

So thanks again !!

Reply 8

Anonymous #1

Like all of the above, maths is the only subject required for PPE but if you’re considering doing it it’s probably best to read/research about topics in regard to politics, Philosophy and economics. This can be done by your own accord or EPQ or even entering an essay competition. Most that ask for payment to enter are either a scam or have some sought of ulterior motive but you should definitely research.

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