cambridge and AS grades
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Re: cambridge and AS grades
I think this is tricky. On the one hand completing a full A Level in year 12 would give some indication of progress after GCSE but only in one subject. Moreover, if you elect to sit an AS-Level Physics exam (for example) it may not align with the work/content your DS does in year 12. You will need to check syllabus and course content. Can he do an EPQ in year 12? This is regarded as an AS-Level qualification.
Also, from Cambridge's website: (full link here http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.u ... ents-facts)
Quote:
Applicants not taking modular AS Levels
Where the school/college delivers A Levels without external assessment in Year 12 and this UMS information will be absent from an applicant's profile, more weight will inevitably be placed on the other elements of their application.
Occasionally, an applicant without this information might not get the benefit of the doubt in comparison to one with a very high UMS average. Alternatively, doubt might be resolved by making a stiffer than usual offer (eg A*A*A). Evidence of any internal assessments (provided in the school/college reference or sent as a transcript to the College) could be helpful in such cases.
End Quote
Also, from Cambridge's website: (full link here http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.u ... ents-facts)
Quote:
Applicants not taking modular AS Levels
Where the school/college delivers A Levels without external assessment in Year 12 and this UMS information will be absent from an applicant's profile, more weight will inevitably be placed on the other elements of their application.
Occasionally, an applicant without this information might not get the benefit of the doubt in comparison to one with a very high UMS average. Alternatively, doubt might be resolved by making a stiffer than usual offer (eg A*A*A). Evidence of any internal assessments (provided in the school/college reference or sent as a transcript to the College) could be helpful in such cases.
End Quote
Re: cambridge and AS grades
apparently he can't do the epq this year as he is doing 4 A2's and this is only open in year 12 for those doing 3 subjects he can do it in year 13.
Interestingly on the open day the admission tutor said that what they look for above all, as the degree is very mathematical, is evidence of ability in maths so i guess maybe the best he can do is try to max out his UMS scores in all his A2 maths modules and go with that maybe try and get a gold in the physics olympiad thing.
will let you know what the school say
Interestingly on the open day the admission tutor said that what they look for above all, as the degree is very mathematical, is evidence of ability in maths so i guess maybe the best he can do is try to max out his UMS scores in all his A2 maths modules and go with that maybe try and get a gold in the physics olympiad thing.
will let you know what the school say
Re: cambridge and AS grades
They have used GCSEs and school predictions for IB for a long time and use these for the Cambridge pre-U too.
They will cope with the change.
They will cope with the change.
Re: cambridge and AS grades
Our DD is currently studying engineering at Cambridge, she'll be returning for her 2nd year soon and is busy doing the work they gave her to do over summer as well as the required summer internship.
The old AS system helped our DD as her AS results were a lot more impressive then her GCSE's
If you feel his A level performance is likely to look better then his gcse performance then one thing you may want to consider is doing a year in industry before going.
That way an offer can be based on actual A level results, it would save him having to find an internship over his summer holidays, and some colleges would actually prefer you have a years work experience so this may also help with his chances.
The old AS system helped our DD as her AS results were a lot more impressive then her GCSE's
If you feel his A level performance is likely to look better then his gcse performance then one thing you may want to consider is doing a year in industry before going.
That way an offer can be based on actual A level results, it would save him having to find an internship over his summer holidays, and some colleges would actually prefer you have a years work experience so this may also help with his chances.
Re: cambridge and AS grades
Steve(or anyone one else in the know) could you please tell me if one took a gap year(or deffered place) when do you have to do your STEP exam,is it expected to be done alogside your A levels or just prior to your entry year?SteveDH wrote:Our DD is currently studying engineering at Cambridge, she'll be returning for her 2nd year soon and is busy doing the work they gave her to do over summer as well as the required summer internship.
The old AS system helped our DD as her AS results were a lot more impressive then her GCSE's
If you feel his A level performance is likely to look better then his gcse performance then one thing you may want to consider is doing a year in industry before going.
That way an offer can be based on actual A level results, it would save him having to find an internship over his summer holidays, and some colleges would actually prefer you have a years work experience so this may also help with his chances.
I think Oxford do their MAT exam on the same day as the interview(if invited)
Also I know Cambridge do not like people taking gap/deffered year becuase they feel STEM candidates my de-skill in their maths, is this true?
Re: cambridge and AS grades
Thanks everyone, the gap year idea is interesting i guess there would be no harm in applying anyway and if he doesn't get an offer could either decide to go with another uni or take a gap year then reapply with his A level results.
DS had a chat with the UCAS person at school today there is no option to do AS's as a special option for cambridge applicants so we will just have to not worry about it, as you say its the same for the IB people and he will have all his maths scores will focus on trying to ace these and extra curricular stuff etc etc
all the best everyone thanks for the input
DS had a chat with the UCAS person at school today there is no option to do AS's as a special option for cambridge applicants so we will just have to not worry about it, as you say its the same for the IB people and he will have all his maths scores will focus on trying to ace these and extra curricular stuff etc etc
all the best everyone thanks for the input
Re: cambridge and AS grades
just came across this covers most things :
http://www3.eng.cam.ac.uk/admissions/op ... ssions.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www3.eng.cam.ac.uk/admissions/op ... ssions.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: cambridge and AS grades
There is a thread on TSR from the Christ's admissions tutor which makes it clear that Cambridge have not yet made up their minds what their position will be for applicants not doing AS levels. He says that the university will make a statement about this in early 2016. The current Cambridge offer for all NatSci applicants is A*A*A and most successful applicants have at least 3A*s.
It would presumably be possible for your son to take AS levels as private candidate even if his school is not entering pupils themselves?
You may also want to look into the way in which AS UMS is calculated as it is normally across the best 3 subjects but where a candidate takes further maths it will usually be across the 4 subjects including further maths. It would seem that realistically the % UMS would need to be a fair bit over 90% and preferably over 95%.
If your son is a good all-rounder and cannot do AS levels it would be worth looking into doing the BMAT - not wanted for engineering but has the advantage of not needing to be declared unless the score is good, unlike all gcse and A2 modules!
Good luck anyway.
It would presumably be possible for your son to take AS levels as private candidate even if his school is not entering pupils themselves?
You may also want to look into the way in which AS UMS is calculated as it is normally across the best 3 subjects but where a candidate takes further maths it will usually be across the 4 subjects including further maths. It would seem that realistically the % UMS would need to be a fair bit over 90% and preferably over 95%.
If your son is a good all-rounder and cannot do AS levels it would be worth looking into doing the BMAT - not wanted for engineering but has the advantage of not needing to be declared unless the score is good, unlike all gcse and A2 modules!
Good luck anyway.
