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Original poster

GCSE English. Does a B mean Oxford is out of the question?

37 replies

3littlefrogs · 21/08/2014 19:13

Just that really.
Does a B in English mean Oxford will not be an option?
All the rest are A* and A.

I have posted on a couple of other threads, but didn't want to hijack.

OP posts:
Portlypenguin · 22/08/2014 12:54

I was at oxford starting in 2001 with one B at GCSE. Didn't appear to be an issue. I would just go for it if desired and if it doesn't work out then the DC will go off to another fab university :)

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 22/08/2014 10:38

A* in Maths, languages, Sciences. English Language and Art are both A.

The English lit appears to be just 2 marks off an A, so might be worth considering a remark.

OP posts:
mollyb101 · 22/08/2014 10:21

Im not 100% sure but think it might be worth looking into retaking the exams during the 6th form. Oxbridge candidates are picked against each other so any aspect that is lower will show up and could count against them.

Theres usually no problem resitting to get higher marks although it does add pressure to an already busy year!

FishWithABicycle · 22/08/2014 04:44

I admit this was a few decades ago but I went to Oxford with my GCSEs being only 4As & 5Bs including Bs in English Lang&Lit. With A* in the subject being applied for, and good A Level predictions, it won't be an issue. They are more interested in evidence that someone can work hard, think independently and originally and contribute actively to the academic community.

There's loads of publicity about the place at the moment about thousands of children getting a lower grade in English than expected this year due to the change in assessment criteria - the oxford admissions people will be aware of the issue and will not judge over-harshly if everything else looks good.

HawthornLantern · 22/08/2014 03:14

No it's not ruled out. I read English with a C in Eng Lang at GCSE and still got in. I'll obviously defer to others with more precise information - but in my era and later (and as currently described in the admission section for my old college) they do try to get across the idea that uniform perfection ain't necessary. They are looking for potential and there can be other ways of demonstrating that.

MillyMollyMama · 22/08/2014 01:17

How many A*s? Are they just in languages?

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 22/08/2014 00:17

Thanks everyone.
I have just come back to this as I have been out all evening.
Hoping to study modern foreign languages.
A*s are in languages (just not English Sad ).
I am doing a bit more research on the Oxford website ATM.

OP posts:
Terrierterror · 21/08/2014 19:33

Any chance of a remark?

queenofthemountain · 21/08/2014 19:30

No.The website says a C grade in English is required

Toadsrevisited · 21/08/2014 19:20

Not necessarily.

Lang or lit gcse? Which board?

Have you looked at remarks and resits? Obviously an A would be better so if it's near a grade boundary, this could be an option.

WhereforeArtThou · 21/08/2014 19:17

It's probably completely fine. (Although not great for medicine) What subject does your son want to study?

summerlovingliz · 21/08/2014 19:16

I wouldn't have thought so if A level results are good enough. It may depend on how competitive the course is.

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