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Original poster

How to get extra UCAS points

24 replies

denysedenyse · 26/08/2022 19:21

Firstly will say DS is looking to go to uni in 2 years so we have time but his current GCSE results were not amazing so how can he get more points?

He's resitting some exams but he needs a lot more points to do the course he wants

OP posts:
Kanaloa · 26/08/2022 19:24

Well of course doing well in his A-Levels would be the priority. I’d be looking into why he didn’t do well in the GCSEs as honestly as possible. Did he study or piss about? Did he choose subjects that didn’t suit? And see how this can be rectified to ensure he does better on his A-Levels.

TeenDivided · 26/08/2022 19:25

Get better grades in your A levels or BTEC.

Although some things (like high music grades) might theoretically give UCAS points, most courses want your points from A levels or BTECs or EPQs.

BadGranny · 26/08/2022 19:29

Many unis give offers that say something like ‘x points from at least two A levels’. Getting an extra few points from music or drama exams therefore won’t help much. DS needs to work like crazy to get the points he needs from A levels, not waste time and energy trying to play the system.

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Justgamboling · 26/08/2022 19:32

EPQ

titchy · 26/08/2022 19:36

GCSEs aren't worth UCAS points. If he did poorly the best thing in the world is for you/him to work out what the problem was, and address it. Taking a level 3 programme that better suits his interests and learning style is what will get him a uni place.

Taking extra GCSEs, trying to get grade 6 guitar or drama etc won't be a productive use of his time if that time could be better spent on his sixth form studies.

TeenDivided · 26/08/2022 19:36

Depending on your definition of 'not amazing' some students will get higher grades with Extended Diploma BTECs than they will with A levels.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 26/08/2022 19:43

You need to work out why he didnt do great in his GCSEs - Covid, laziness, MH issue, additional learning need that wasnt addressed properly?
High grades in music and dance give UCAS points but you would have to be very accomplished and started years ago.

His only real option is on the choice of course he takes for example A levels are the traditional academic route but rely on exam results and remembering information, not great for people who have difficulty with working memory or writing under pressure. BTECs have a major coursework component which requires sustained effort throughout the course but is better for those who struggle in exam conditions. Unfortunately BTECs are not accepted on all Uni courses so look forward to potential degree courses and what they will likely accept if that is a direction he is likely to go in. Both can be awarded the equal number of UCAS points.

Whatwouldnanado · 26/08/2022 20:14

What does he want to study at university? Dors the course rely on specific Alevel grades or total points. Does he have a career plan? As above, GCSES don't count for UCAS. Make sure he picks the right A levels to tie in with his chosen subject. If he really wants it he'll focus and get the best grades he can. Check out any As offering. Some count as a full A level.

Titsywoo · 26/08/2022 20:21

He can do an EPQ but at my daughters college they only offer it to those who did well in their GCSEs as it is quite a bit of extra work.

TokyoTen · 26/08/2022 20:26

EPQ for points or D of E for the application.

Original poster
denysedenyse · 27/08/2022 13:12

Kanaloa · 26/08/2022 19:24

Well of course doing well in his A-Levels would be the priority. I’d be looking into why he didn’t do well in the GCSEs as honestly as possible. Did he study or piss about? Did he choose subjects that didn’t suit? And see how this can be rectified to ensure he does better on his A-Levels.

Medically unwell so he got only to do foundation papers as only had about 7 months tuition through last 3 years.

He got 5 on all his GCSE's so maximum you can get on a foundation paper, hence needing to resist some of them now to do higher

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 27/08/2022 13:19

Is he taking an extra year to improve GCSEs, or trying to do this in parallel with starting A levels?

Is there really any benefit to retaking GCSEs if he has passed (eg to improve knowledge prior to building on the for A levels, or even to be permitted to do them as A levels)? If not then is it worth it?

A personal statement / reference from the school can cover illness as reason for GCSE grades in uni application, or he could apply after A levels with 'grades in hand'.

TeenDivided · 27/08/2022 13:21

Reading back you said hoping to go to uni in 2 years.
In which case I would question the benefit of retaking GCSEs he has already passed. Time spent doing this might be better spent on ensuring good A level grades.

EddieHowesBlackandWhiteArmy · 27/08/2022 13:23

What exactly is hoping to do at university and where, because I certainly wouldn’t be resitting GCSE’s with a grade of 5 unless I absolutely needed to.

PicketRingFenced · 27/08/2022 13:28

He's passed so if he has been accepted to study for his A Levels then he'll be fine

Focus on the A Levels and draw a line under the GCSEs for now

These are covid kids, the majority of which are normal kids in normal state schools

Covid affected them in a variety of ways, physically and mentally.

He should be very proud he passed and got 5s. It's a great achievement, it really is.

PicketRingFenced · 27/08/2022 13:30

Read the BTEC threads they're very positive and eye opening

Kanaloa · 27/08/2022 13:38

denysedenyse · 27/08/2022 13:12

Medically unwell so he got only to do foundation papers as only had about 7 months tuition through last 3 years.

He got 5 on all his GCSE's so maximum you can get on a foundation paper, hence needing to resist some of them now to do higher

Show quote history

Ah well in that case I would be looking to make sure all medical issues are resolved and he’s in a good place to start on his A-Levels, which is where he’ll get most of his points. His GCSEs won’t really matter at that point.

MumofSpud · 27/08/2022 13:41

My DS had ok GCSE (Bs and Cs in old money!)
I encouraged him to do extra curricular activities that were related (a bit) to what he wanted to do at Uni
I looked on it as each activity being like another GCSE and gave him more to include in his personal statement
So he did Scouts / St John's including helping out with the younger group / Rugby / volunteering (local library)
This is what I did to help get into Uni (a million years ago!)
It worked for me and him (he is 24 now)
Now my DD is doing similar (going into Year 12)
It makes them (IME / IMO) better all round candidates
But they will still need the relevant number of UCAS points from whatever they do in Year 12/13

HouseOfWaffles · 27/08/2022 13:41

I didn’t know you could just resit your GCSEs that you got fives in. Is he at a private school?

MumofSpud · 27/08/2022 13:45

Should reiterate - UCAS points are from whatever he is doing at Year 12/13
If he is resitting GCSEs then this will take focus / time away from his studies and may affect his UCAS points total that way!
It sounds as if he should be doing a L3 BTEC rather than A Levels
DS did this and got into Uni ok

DontMakeMeShushYou · 27/08/2022 13:55

If he has been accepted on to do A levels, then simply doing well in those should be enough as long as he chooses a uni/course with an achievable UCAS points target. EPQ would give extra points but is a lot of hard work alongside A levels. Depending on what A levels he is doing, Core Maths (AS level) might be useful/relevant and also counts for UCAS points. And finally a statement from the school regarding medical issues for his UCAS application as universities do look at GCSE results when making offers.

Surtsey · 27/08/2022 14:09

You say medically unwell, so has he/will he make a full recovery, or is it something to take into account long-term?

PowerHits · 27/08/2022 14:49

My son did a BTEC and an EPQ as well as two A-Levels, this meant he had 48 points from his BTEC and 20 from his EPQ pretty much in the bag before sitting his A-Level exams.

NancyJoan · 27/08/2022 14:53

The points will come from good A levels. And if he can’t achieve the points/grades required, then it’s likely not the right course for him.

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