Do gcses matter to get into oxford or cambridge?

GCSE’s are important towards that of an oxbridge candidates success, but not necessarily in the ways one may think…

See, the grades themselves, are fairly irrelevant ( to an extent, see more later), the driving, defining factor towards why GCSE’s are important comes down to three simple things, an exhibition of skill, determination towards a goal, and the showing of a certain proclivity to attain excellent grades.

If one can excel in their GCSE’s, the likelihood of continuing this upwards momentum, and continuing to be successful in their A-Level endevors is much more likely. Given that during the application process to Oxford university or Cambridge University, the student has not yet actually achieved their A-Levels, instead they rely on innacurate, arbitrary “Predicted Grades”, it is in a students best interst to have as much evidence as possible to their success.

Now, with respect to the grades themselves, it is important to score at least above a Level 7 throught all subjects - (the equivalent of a low A with previous grading standards). This shows a decent basile knowledge of the subjects, and a decent effort has been put in. These grades are entirely achievable for any student, at any level, subject to effort, and perhaps 1:1 tutoring.

Is this to say that it is impossible to get into Oxbridge, with poor GCSE’s… No, not at all, But one must be persistent and steadfast in their pursit towards their A-Level’s. A student must be unwavering in their desire to achieve the best grades possible throughout the two year course as every mock exam, every end of year, every in class assessment contributes towards what they will be predicted to get.

If one were to want to maximise their chances of scoring ideal grades, then there is no better way than by equipping two weapons in their arsenal, The first being revision, and the second being 1:1 tutoring. 1:1 tutoring allows for the student to be pushed and tested beyond their limits, gaps in their knowledge are found and resolved in much less time than in personal revision, and as such, a student can improve magnitudes in a much shorter time period than in personal revision only.

Further to this, having 1:1 tutors that have gone through this entire process, achieved academically, and are members of the worlds finest institutions themselves is the most conducive to the success a student or parent wishes to grasp. For one must learn to do something, from the person who has actually done it.