Oxbridge GCSE grades
I’ve been planning on applying to Oxbridge but I’ve just seen someone get rejected from LSE for not having good enough GCSEs, so what do you think is needed for Oxbridge as a minimum or does it only matter on my admissions test and A levels?
Reply 1
Oxford does look at GCSEs and most successful applicants have mainly 9s/8s. They do look at how you performed contextually, considering your school and comparing you to how others in your year performed. If you go to a poor performing school, they will look at how you performed and if it was significantly better than your peers or not. If you went to a well performing school, they will also see if you exceeded your peers or not. Many factors come into play. GCSEs aren't everything but they do play a part.
Cambridge also looks at GCSEs but I know less about that, I assume its the same.
What did you get and what are you applying for?
Cambridge also looks at GCSEs but I know less about that, I assume its the same.
What did you get and what are you applying for?
Reply 2
12
Original post
by sleepandtimeOxford does look at GCSEs and most successful applicants have mainly 9s/8s. They do look at how you performed contextually, considering your school and comparing you to how others in your year performed. If you go to a poor performing school, they will look at how you performed and if it was significantly better than your peers or not. If you went to a well performing school, they will also see if you exceeded your peers or not. Many factors come into play. GCSEs aren't everything but they do play a part.
Cambridge also looks at GCSEs but I know less about that, I assume its the same.
What did you get and what are you applying for?
Cambridge also looks at GCSEs but I know less about that, I assume its the same.
What did you get and what are you applying for?
Applying for physics next year at Oxford hopefully with hopefully A*A*A*A and then I’ll be taking further maths or something similar in my gap year and hopefully will get a good predicted grade with that, but my GCSE’s were about 3 or 4 A* 4A and 2B 1C I think so not great
Reply 3
Original post
by shaggy-delicacyApplying for physics next year at Oxford hopefully with hopefully A*A*A*A and then I’ll be taking further maths or something similar in my gap year and hopefully will get a good predicted grade with that, but my GCSE’s were about 3 or 4 A* 4A and 2B 1C I think so not great
Were your grades average in your school? If you performed a lot better than your peers then you have a better chance, if you performed on the same level/below that will affect how they are viewed. You should definitely apply tho, those grades seem fine (good if you have contextual circumstances) but you will be competing with people who have all 9s. I'm not educated on this a lot but I think Oxbridge want all of your A-levels to be completed together, so the gap year to take further maths might harm your application... I would look into that as it might not be worth doing. Any reason why you aren't already doing fm? If it's because your school doesn't offer it that might be fine but for any other reason that might make your application less competitive. Also is it even required for physics? If it isn't and you cannot currently take it there would be no point of a gap year (unless I'm wrong).
I am less in the know about STEM applications so take this all with a pinch of salt.
Reply 4
13
Original post
by shaggy-delicacyI’ve been planning on applying to Oxbridge but I’ve just seen someone get rejected from LSE for not having good enough GCSEs, so what do you think is needed for Oxbridge as a minimum or does it only matter on my admissions test and A levels?
Conventional wisdom (however true it actually is) suggests Oxford (and LSE for some reason actually?) cares more about GCSEs than Cambridge. However, one situation where I think you'd be relatively in the clear is if you take a gap year. Of course taking a gap year might disadvantage you in other ways, but it would surely help you out on this particular issue.
Oxford probably primarily looks at GCSEs because predicted grades aren't always reliable, so it ensures that they give interview invites to people who are actually likely to get A*s. If you've already achieved A*A*A*A, they won't have a real reason to reject you for GCSEs. Then of course do really well on PAT and interview, the more important factors (they might be harsher on you given you've had a year longer to prepare than everyone else; although I'm not sure if Oxford does this).
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