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They recently (a few years ago) introduced A* grades for 90+/100 scores, where A was 80/100 before and so, as you note, not very discriminating. I'm not totally

by tfgg 11y ago

They recently (a few years ago) introduced A* grades for 90+/100 scores, where A was 80/100 before and so, as you note, not very discriminating. I'm not totally sure, but I think a standard offer for one of the elite universities is A*AA these days. I'm not sure I like the idea. Only having to hit 80 reduces stress quite a bit, and it gave me time to do extracurricular things like programming, and way more maths modules than anyone should :) If I had to hit 90+ in everything, I would have probably been risk adverse and cut down. It also feels like it selects a bit too much for people who over perform in exams. That said, I did have to send in my raw module marks anyway when I applied ~10 years ago, and did hit 90+ anyway.

hellisonwright 11y ago
This is spot on. These days the pressure of achieving A* grades in maths and further maths for maths applicants definitely reduces pupils' capacity for taking additional modules 'for fun'. The standard offer for top universities has become A* A* A, often with the proviso of passing an additional entrance exam (STEP / AEA)... I have seen the offer go as high as A* A* A* without the entrance exam, and achieving this is is a feat in itself, requiring both breadth and depth in several subjects, and consistently strong performances in 6 - 10 exams.
OJFord 11y ago
[At least when I took them a few years ago] the admissions offices get your raw results anyway - so even if it was just 'A', they could still have their own internal A* for 90+. Surprised nobody's mentioned STEP, three exams at least two of which are required for the mathematics tripos (and I think engineering at some colleges) and is significantly more likely to require preparation. I don't think any applicant would be worried about FM - because if they were worried about anything it would (should) be STEP. But then, uh, I may be biased...
- aninhumer 11y ago
  >the admissions offices get your raw results anyway - so even if it was just 'A', they could still have their own internal A* for 90+. But as I understand it, they can't make an offer based on that, so they're already obliged to accept you by the time they get those results.

by tfgg 11y ago

hellisonwright 11y ago

This is spot on. These days the pressure of achieving A* grades in maths and further maths for maths applicants definitely reduces pupils' capacity for taking additional modules 'for fun'. The standard offer for top universities has become A* A* A, often with the proviso of passing an additional entrance exam (STEP / AEA)... I have seen the offer go as high as A* A* A* without the entrance exam, and achieving this is is a feat in itself, requiring both breadth and depth in several subjects, and consistently strong performances in 6 - 10 exams.

OJFord 11y ago

[At least when I took them a few years ago] the admissions offices get your raw results anyway - so even if it was just 'A', they could still have their own internal A* for 90+. Surprised nobody's mentioned STEP, three exams at least two of which are required for the mathematics tripos (and I think engineering at some colleges) and is significantly more likely to require preparation. I don't think any applicant would be worried about FM - because if they were worried about anything it would (should) be STEP. But then, uh, I may be biased...

aninhumer 11y ago
>the admissions offices get your raw results anyway - so even if it was just 'A', they could still have their own internal A* for 90+. But as I understand it, they can't make an offer based on that, so they're already obliged to accept you by the time they get those results.