Predicted grades being too far off from Oxbridge's entry requirements

Hi, I am a Year 12 student who's currently doing Maths, Further Maths and Physics (And Mandarin in 4 months time as it's my second language) (Got a 9 in Maths, 7 in Further Maths and 6 in Physics and I'm predicted an AAD (from GCSEs Results and my progress in the first term (lost the battle with procrastination)). I am thinking of doing Maths or Engineering in Oxbridge (probably Cambridge as my GCSE grades aren't too decent either (99766665543) and Oxford cares about GCSEs more than Cambridge) and as you all know Maths is a really competitive course (but the only thing I enjoy and can do, and not tryna brag this is literally my concern) and requires A*A*A for my A levels, an AAD is too far off from that and I am wondering if it'd be a choice thrown away if I apply to Cambridge. I've also heard that they care about TMUA more than GCSEs so I'm starting my TMUA Prep now (current record 1 correct answer in 20 minutes (not something I should brag about because that's so cooked)). I'll have trial exams in 3 months so that'll be a chance for me to increase my predicted grades but right now I feel cooked not only about applying to Oxbridge but apply to study Maths in general. My questions are: Is there an efficient way to revise for all 3 subjects? If I apply to Cambridge would it be 1 option thrown away? and how to revise for the TMUA entrance test? Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks for taking the time to read this long-winded message

Hi im not a stem student so i dont have any revision advice, but if your just in year 12 you can definitely pick up your grades and its always worth applying to oxbridge since youll have to submit your personal statement earlier, making you more desirable for other unis, and its a good goal to work towards as if your already being very ambitious youll end up in a better position -even if you dont get in- if you were aiming for oxbridge. Unless you can find 5 other unis youd be ecstatic to go to, aim for cambridge and apply!

As you have five choices anyway it isn’t going to be a waste if it’s really what you want but you will be competing with peers who will already have performed better than you at GCSE so it will certainly be a tall order. I would say give it a try if it’s what you really want as the way to guarantee you won’t get in is not to give it a go, but at the same time try not to get too fixated on it. There are loads of other great unis out there and it will never be the end of the world of you end up at one of those.

Hi im not a stem student so i dont have any revision advice, but if your just in year 12 you can definitely pick up your grades and its always worth applying to oxbridge since youll have to submit your personal statement earlier, making you more desirable for other unis, and its a good goal to work towards as if your already being very ambitious youll end up in a better position -even if you dont get in- if you were aiming for oxbridge. Unless you can find 5 other unis youd be ecstatic to go to, aim for cambridge and apply!

Hi, I am a Year 12 student who's currently doing Maths, Further Maths and Physics (And Mandarin in 4 months time as it's my second language) (Got a 9 in Maths, 7 in Further Maths and 6 in Physics and I'm predicted an AAD (from GCSEs Results and my progress in the first term (lost the battle with procrastination)). I am thinking of doing Maths or Engineering in Oxbridge (probably Cambridge as my GCSE grades aren't too decent either (99766665543) and Oxford cares about GCSEs more than Cambridge) and as you all know Maths is a really competitive course (but the only thing I enjoy and can do, and not tryna brag this is literally my concern) and requires A*A*A for my A levels, an AAD is too far off from that and I am wondering if it'd be a choice thrown away if I apply to Cambridge. I've also heard that they care about TMUA more than GCSEs so I'm starting my TMUA Prep now (current record 1 correct answer in 20 minutes (not something I should brag about because that's so cooked)). I'll have trial exams in 3 months so that'll be a chance for me to increase my predicted grades but right now I feel cooked not only about applying to Oxbridge but apply to study Maths in general. My questions are: Is there an efficient way to revise for all 3 subjects? If I apply to Cambridge would it be 1 option thrown away? and how to revise for the TMUA entrance test? Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks for taking the time to read this long-winded message

For Engineering these days, Oxbridge is not the best for employability as neither offers a placement year. You should be looking for accredited courses that do that.
For Maths, how much research have you done on what a degree includes? Maybe watch some Oxbridge lectures on youtube? Those by Vicky Neale [RIP] are worth a look.

Hi, I noticed that nothing was mentioned about super-curriculars - do you have anything you are doing at the moment? A lot of my friends who got oxbridge offers this year have strong super-curriculars, bleeding their passion out. Just curious!

Hi, no not really, I've only done 1 super curricular project with my friends about Physics 3 months ago..

1 Is a good amount, if it plays into the narrative for passionate learning! Let me know if you need any ideas, as I have a couple of maths/engineering/physical natsci friends.

Hi, no not really, I've only done 1 super curricular project with my friends about Physics 3 months ago..

Hiya- thanks for your reply, that'd be great! Would it be okay to give me some ideas on Physics Supercurricular (on circuits or waves) please? By the way, would Universities be more impressed if the supercurricular project is made by myself without peers or would they prefer teamwork or does that not really make a difference?

Hiya- thanks for your reply, that'd be great! Would it be okay to give me some ideas on Physics Supercurricular (on circuits or waves) please? By the way, would Universities be more impressed if the supercurricular project is made by myself without peers or would they prefer teamwork or does that not really make a difference?

Hi, I am a Year 12 student who's currently doing Maths, Further Maths and Physics (And Mandarin in 4 months time as it's my second language) (Got a 9 in Maths, 7 in Further Maths and 6 in Physics and I'm predicted an AAD (from GCSEs Results and my progress in the first term (lost the battle with procrastination)). I am thinking of doing Maths or Engineering in Oxbridge (probably Cambridge as my GCSE grades aren't too decent either (99766665543) and Oxford cares about GCSEs more than Cambridge) and as you all know Maths is a really competitive course (but the only thing I enjoy and can do, and not tryna brag this is literally my concern) and requires A*A*A for my A levels, an AAD is too far off from that and I am wondering if it'd be a choice thrown away if I apply to Cambridge. I've also heard that they care about TMUA more than GCSEs so I'm starting my TMUA Prep now (current record 1 correct answer in 20 minutes (not something I should brag about because that's so cooked)). I'll have trial exams in 3 months so that'll be a chance for me to increase my predicted grades but right now I feel cooked not only about applying to Oxbridge but apply to study Maths in general. My questions are: Is there an efficient way to revise for all 3 subjects? If I apply to Cambridge would it be 1 option thrown away? and how to revise for the TMUA entrance test? Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks for taking the time to read this long-winded message

Hi, I am a Year 12 student who's currently doing Maths, Further Maths and Physics (And Mandarin in 4 months time as it's my second language) (Got a 9 in Maths, 7 in Further Maths and 6 in Physics and I'm predicted an AAD (from GCSEs Results and my progress in the first term (lost the battle with procrastination)). I am thinking of doing Maths or Engineering in Oxbridge (probably Cambridge as my GCSE grades aren't too decent either (99766665543) and Oxford cares about GCSEs more than Cambridge) and as you all know Maths is a really competitive course (but the only thing I enjoy and can do, and not tryna brag this is literally my concern) and requires A*A*A for my A levels, an AAD is too far off from that and I am wondering if it'd be a choice thrown away if I apply to Cambridge. I've also heard that they care about TMUA more than GCSEs so I'm starting my TMUA Prep now (current record 1 correct answer in 20 minutes (not something I should brag about because that's so cooked)). I'll have trial exams in 3 months so that'll be a chance for me to increase my predicted grades but right now I feel cooked not only about applying to Oxbridge but apply to study Maths in general. My questions are: Is there an efficient way to revise for all 3 subjects? If I apply to Cambridge would it be 1 option thrown away? and how to revise for the TMUA entrance test? Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks for taking the time to read this long-winded message