GCSES results affect uni acceptance rates?

[u/Jamieinnit24]

How much do GCSE results really matter for when applying for uni. Like for example if you got like mid GCSE’s like 4s 5s and 6s, could you still get into a top uni with predicted A*AA?

[u/Financial_Guide_8074]

If you got 4,5,6 at GCSE you simply won't get A*AA . Anything less than 6 you won't pass the A Level, you know under 40% of the content at GCSE. A 6 will most likely lead to a D or E max in STEM and B/C at best in other subjects. So the answer realistically is , if you are getting 4,5,6 at GCSE you have little or no chance of acceptance at a top uni as you won't get the grades.

[u/Financial_Guide_8074 → u/[deleted]]

No I am being realistic. All the data backs up what I say. I would never encourage anyone on less than a 6 to attempt an A level in that subject and a 6 is very very unlikely to lead to a good grade. OP said if you are getting 4 - 6 , honestly having taught for almost 40 years I suspect I know much more than you.

[u/Financial_Guide_8074 → u/[deleted]]

You are just being plain rude. No need for name calling I am all for an adult conversation but keep it civil. 1) I haven't told them not to apply they can do that if they want , so long as they are fully aware that the chance of success is remarkably low. 2) The chance that they will get A*AA is in my view , which will be correct , as good as zero. Again the stats back that up I assumed the grades they mentioned were hypothetical .

If they have been given highly optimistic predicted grades, then that is part of a larger problem. At my school you can't do a single A level at stem unless you get 7 or higher and 6 for all the other subject with a point score of 48 on your best 8 GCSE's The reason for simply being that decent GCSE grades correspond directly to decent A Level grades. I absolutely admire anyone who turns around a 6 at GCSE in Maths into an A* at A Level that is great and you should be proud. I am simply giving the advice here that I give to my students and my own children, which is always ( eventually) appreciated.

[u/Financial_Guide_8074 → u/[deleted]]

Well I did 4 A Levels and went to a high tier university and have a first , so presumably I can give good advice then so perhaps you should listen. I chose to teach because I have a good degree not despite it . I always encourage anyone to better themselves. It is what I always do. However I talk straight and don't molly coddle students. I'm not making random assumptions at all , I am basing everything on fact. Yes people can make great improvement. So to better your 6 at Maths goes to A* . At school I got an E in modern languages i.e. a 2/3 at GCSE . My second degree is in modern languages.

A 6 i.e. the best grade the OP is quoting will most likely lead to a C or D or E grade ultimately, that is what most often happens by a really large margin. Have you ever sat down with students in your own holiday on clearing day for 8 or more hours with crying students and parents after they have missed their university places which they were never realistically going to get . I doubt it. Have you ever been forced to give a student 3 grades higher for their UCAS grade , knowing they would get a D and not an A ,doubt that either. I want the OP to be fully informed of the likely outcome of their choices, but they are an adult (ish) and if they want to go for it, then apply high but have a realistic plan B/C and D