Maximizing chances of GCSE grades at 8/9 is essential

[Elizo]

Interested in views:

A child is heading for 7-9s. In a school where 8s/9s not v common.

Two views/ options:

Getting high numbers of 8s/9s is essential for top unis. Tutors/ work flat out and maximize chances of 8s and 9s. YANBU

or

7s are great so as long as they are on the cards no need to stress. YABU

How old is the child?

What subjects are they aiming for?

Too many variables.

Why do they have to go to a 'top uni'. What are their aspirations and what do they need to achieve that? Work backwards from the goal.

Going into year 11. An all rounder, no specific subject goals yet…

Don't think GCSEs are that essential unless going for top uni.

I'd rather child
Happy than have that amount of pressure.

YABU.
I'm not convinced anyone 'needs' 9s.

They don’t have to go to a top uni, they may not go to uni. I’m just curious about if the highest grades are needed for anything in particular

One of the maddening unintended consequences of institution blind job applications is that DH’s GCSEs (good from a school where being ok was exceptional) is that he then looks less bright than me (fistful of As and Astars from a selective private school). Which he isn’t. So I’d maximise the grades, personally.

8/9 in subjects to be studied at A-level is ideal as it increases the chance of a top grade at A-level bit a 7 isn’t going to hurt the chances of getting top grades at A-level and beyond.

7 is the equivalent of the old grade A. It’s an excellent grade to achieve.

Medicine, vet, top professional jobs yes the 9s stand you apart on the UCAS applications. More a chance to start discussing on a career path/future ideas. Doesn't have to be set in stone but can guide

You don't need lots of 8s/9s for top unis.

You do need to be shit hot at what you are applying for and preferably interested in it as well - so lots of stuff outside school, reading around it etc,

Lots of people studying maths have appalling results for foreign languages etc at gcse.

A level grades are far more important. But why don't you have a look at the university website pages to get an idea of grade requirements? It will vary depending on the popularity of the course and institution

I don’t agree with either. I think teens should be encouraged to achieve the best grades they are capable of. For some that will be 8-9’s, for others it will be 4-5’s. Pushing too hard and expecting a teen to work flat out is going to lead to burn out. There is a balance.

Define "not very common". In most schools 8's and 9's are not very common. They are old school A and A* grades, very high. When the average across the country is circa 22% of children getting a 7 and over, and that includes 7's.

Depends on university choice . Top unis want to see them , daughter has had to send her GCSEs certificates for entry this sept

If he wants to study maths at A-level, then working hard to get an 8 or 9 over a 7 will definitely benefit him in September. Otherwise he'll just be playing catch-up.

8/9s across the board (rather than just in the subjects relevant for subsequent a level and degree subject) might be relevant at Oxford, for med/vet and maybe one or two other cases.

But if someone who's obviously at a very good school can't get appropriate gcse grades for some 'top' course without tutors and massive effort then probably wouldn't thrive if they got a place anyway.

This isn't true, for vet anyway. The vet schools mostly stipulate 5 or 6 GCSEs at grade 7. There's no advantage if you get more. Admissions tutors don't even look at what GCSEs you got. If you get the minimum required GCSEs along with required predicted A levels and work experience you will be through to the next selection stage, usually interview or sometimes sitting a test. Sometimes they look at personal statement but several don't look at that either.

Depends on what they want to study at A level, if they want uni, if they want Cambridge or Oxford etc

Well if it’s any consolation, apparently either Oxford or Cambridge stated they wouldn’t distinguish between 8’s and 9’s.

Afaik Cambridge doesn't require top gcse grades across the board - it certainly didn't used to, They've got the sense to know that some people are asymmetrically talented.

I'd rather my children come out of the education system with good (for them) grades, well-rounded with life experience, emotionally healthy and with realistic goals.

I'm happy to put tutoring into something specific and meaningful- my 11yo has tutoring to support his dyslexic skills gaps. I had a tutor in one subject at A-levels as I was struggling and my teacher damaged my confidence. What I wouldn't want is to hot house beyond their comfort zone and set them up with unrealistic expectations on courses that are not the best fit socially or academically- that's an excellent trigger for burn out and low self-esteem.

Working hard is important and so is playing hard. I worked consistently through my exam years so was happy to continue normal routines like swimming right up to the night before exams. In contrast, my friend crammed herself into a frenzy and dropped all external life for 4 months before A-levels and was a wreck before each exam. Guess who dropped out of uni...

Exam grades are only one part of being employable and thriving as an adult.

Are GCSEs really looked at for jobs though?

The ideal is that a child aims for their potential, without putting undue pressure on themselves. If they get 7/8/9 at GCSEs they will be able to choose the A-levels they want, keeping all their options open.

I wouldn't put any pressure on a kid by suggesting 7s would limit their uni choices, that is just demotivating, and also not true.

Would you really need great GCSEs across the board? I went to Oxford. I had an E and a couple of Bs at GCSE and a B in one of my A levels I think (can't remember). But I had my 3 As so that was enough to get an interview and then the interview is what decides the place. No one who made the decision to offer me one would have looked at my GCSEs, why would they?

Edited to add: that was 20 years ago though. But is it so different now?

The best way to maximise potential is to get into a good rhythm. Help/support setting up a reasonable revision time table and stick to it. Identify gaps in knowledge from mocks and work on those. Be an active parent but not helicopter. It’s been my hardest parenting stage as I felt so unprepared - dd just took her GCSEs so we’re waiting for results. She’s worked so bloody hard and I hope her results reflect that.