Support Younger Applicants 14-16

At this stage, we recommend students make a realistic assessment of their academic ability. On average, applicants to Oxbridge achieve at least seven to eight A* GCSEs – though this isn’t a formal prerequisite for applying.

Use mock exams as a guide to find out how achievable these grades are.

Begin thinking about A-Level choices and what subject combinations are useful for different undergraduate degrees – for example, Further Mathematics is important at least to AS Level for Physics, Engineering or Mathematics.

Achieving strong GCSE results will put you in good stead for an Oxbridge application, particularly as government reforms to A Levels mean students won’t sit public exams until the second year of the sixth form – so these will be grades Oxford, in particular, will look at.

GCSE Results Day will provide you with the opportunity to realistically assess your suitability for Oxbridge. If you haven’t achieved the high grades you wanted, prepare to show marked academic progress in your first year at sixth form.