Average GCSE total grade in number form out of 8

[EightToSixer]

Sorry for the confusing title, but I'm confused.
I went to my Y12 DDs parents evening and they kept referring to an average GCSE mark of 7.7 out of 8. I think it's the total of her GCSE marks? But we are in Wales and therefore still using letter grades A* - G.
Does this grade go on her UCAS applications next year? And if so, does it preclude her from applying to medicine? If this grade is part of the shortlisting process will it impact her being shortlisted?
She has 8 X A* and 3 X A (in essay subjects, she's dyslexic, so this is an exceptional grade she managed to still achieve).
She saw one of her form mates score and it was 8, and is now concerned 7.7 is not enough to get shortlisted for interview at RG or Oxbridge.
State school pupil if that makes any difference.
Any advice from those who have been through this stage? As it is new to me. Thank you.

[noblegiraffe]

What they have done is they’ve assigned an A as an 8, an A at a 7. Her total GCSE score was 88+3*7 = 85, which they’ve then divided by 11 to get an average of 7.7.

No idea why they’ve done this. Her GCSE grades are fine for applying to Oxbridge.

[clary]

Her grades are great, plenty good enough for RG or yes, Oxford or Cambridge if she wants.

[EightToSixer]

Oh that's a relief, she's been working so hard and getting all the work experience and internships she can as well.
I guess she could resit the 2 English and 1 sociology papers to try for an A* but I think that's a pointless use of her time as she worked hard enough for the grades she did get so they weren't for a lack of trying, just due to her struggling with essays due to her dyslexia.

[TeenTimesTwo]

Re-sitting GCSEs to go from A to A* would be totally pointless and counter-productive.

1. The original grades would have to be declared on UCAS form anyway
   
2. The grades are great as they stand
   
3. Time spent resitting would be FAR better spent on the A levels making sure they are the best grades they can be

[ShalomJackie]

I think the reason they do this is that they do it for the whole cohort and will have an average for the cohort ( which I would assume is a lot lower than 7.7). I think for Oxbridge they do a comparison against the average for your school and it would be this they look at.

[TeenTimesTwo]

My guess is it is more a 'rule of thumb' thing.
As in, to go on to do X we find pupils generally have had Y average GCSEs in the past.
But I may not know what I am talking about.

[clary]

FWIW op dd, who did GCSEs 2017 so mostly letters, was told in a 6th form meeting that 6 x A* was needed to apply for Oxford/Cambridge. I remember winking at her (she did well but not that well!).

Your dd is fine op, really don't get her to retake anything, just focus on working for her a levels

[EightToSixer]

Yes, I'm definitely against resitting things, she's the perfectionist in the family 😁

That makes sense re: comparing them to the others in the school, she will do well on that front, definitely in top few percent.

[Lancelottie]

Cambridge interviewed (and pooled) DS with just 4 A*, so although he didn't make the final cut, I'd say that your daughter has every chance of getting past the first stage.