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Original poster

GCSE Eng grade 5 - worth re sitting for future uni application?

59 replies

Maneattraction · 28/08/2023 06:45

DS was predicted a strong 7, 8 if lucky.

He got a 5. School have seen both the papers, the Lit is close to the boundary, but the Lang is not. He has done well in other subjects.

I have also seen the Lang paper and compared it to a mock paper he had marked. They aren’t massively dis similar, but the mock was given a strong 7 and the exam a 5. 90% of his friends are in the same boat with a significantly lower actual grade compared to mock. It’s a bit irritating as it looks like the has been mock has been graded way too generously. I can’t change that though.

I think he should re sit Lang as the uni courses he has his eye on require a 6 in Eng Lang. School said don’t bother, you’d have to declare the resit (I don’t have a problem with that) and pick a uni course that doesn’t need a 6 or above. Also, some unis don’t accept a resit at all.

Does anyone have any experience
of resitting and can advise if it makes a difference or not.

Other grades are 8/7s
and 2x6s

OP posts:
fleur89 · 28/08/2023 08:03

Note - I resat a further maths module and doing so literally was what swung it to get me into my uni when the time came.

fleur89 · 28/08/2023 08:02

Definitely resit. Worth it and easier to do now than further down the line when combining with A levels finals etc

NoHillsHere · 28/08/2023 08:01

I would say resit. There's a November opportunity, so he can get it out of the way quickly.

To all those who are surprised by the requirement, the very top universities often specify a 6 in English even for STEM courses. It's a conversation I had with a couple of very arrogant boys a few years back who were a nightmare to teach. They openly thought that English didn't matter ('because I can read and write') and put all of their efforts into maths and physics. I researched which universities would require a 6 in a vain attempt to make them less obnoxious motivate them.

clary · 28/08/2023 07:52

I’m assuming A level maths and FM. He needs to hit the ground running for sure.

My ds got 8 in maths and a B at A level (tho that was all he needed so maybe he eased up). He was glad he changed his mind re FM.

Do your son’s teachers think he can gain a top grade at FM? And agree with @TeenDivided re over marking of Eng at current school (if he’s staying there obvs).

Original poster
Maneattraction · 28/08/2023 07:48

He is taking the subjects he got 8s for at A level. He would like to think he would get A or A*, but there are no guarantees.

Maybe he needs to adjust his aspirations.

The re sit would be Nov, how intense are A levels for those first 3 months?

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 28/08/2023 07:44

clary · 28/08/2023 07:30

I’ve not looked in detail at requirements for economics, but I do know anecdotally that econ at LSE is a tiptop popular course. Friend’s lad didn’t get an offer there with A level grades in hand of A-star AA. Obvs there may be other reasons but I’ve heard and seen similar stories.

Will he get all A and A star at A level? Sorry if that sounds harsh but econ is having a moment. Where would accept a 5 in Eng? Agree that a resit might take away from A levels and they need to be the focus.

Agree. Requirements for Economics at LSE are v. high. Friend's DS missed out because although he got 2 A star and 2 A, he didn't get an A star for FM.

However I just checked Warwick and they also require a 6.

I can see it might be worth re-sitting, but you would want to be confident he'd improve. If staying at the same school would you have confidence in them if they over predicted before? Also note if it takes away focus from his A levels, he may end up with the 6 but without the A stars ...

clary · 28/08/2023 07:30

I’ve not looked in detail at requirements for economics, but I do know anecdotally that econ at LSE is a tiptop popular course. Friend’s lad didn’t get an offer there with A level grades in hand of A-star AA. Obvs there may be other reasons but I’ve heard and seen similar stories.

Will he get all A and A star at A level? Sorry if that sounds harsh but econ is having a moment. Where would accept a 5 in Eng? Agree that a resit might take away from A levels and they need to be the focus.

Original poster
Maneattraction · 28/08/2023 07:21

Economics at LSE

or any joint honours with Economics at LSE.

The 2 x 6s are 1 mark from a 7, so they are going to be remarked, although I’m aware they may go down and not up.

Economics at L’boro. Need a 6. MAY take a 5.

There are plenty that require a 6, so he really has limited choices
with a 5 from what I can see.

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 28/08/2023 07:02

Interested, what uni courses are specifying Eng Lang needs to be at grade 6? This is the first time I've seen it mentioned on these boards.

The problem with resitting is it takes away focus from the A levels.

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