An Admissions Tutor’s Perspective August 25 th, 2011 An Admissions Tutor’s Perspective August 25 th, 2011 Dr Mike Sewell Admissions Tutor, Selwyn College

HOT TOPICS A* at A Level A* at A Level The IB and Cambridge offers The IB and Cambridge offers Subject Choices and Guidance Subject Choices and Guidance Admissions Research Admissions Research Resources Resources Preparing and supporting applicants Preparing and supporting applicants

A* AND CAMBRIDGE Of our AL offer-holders 94%+ achieved at least one A* Of our AL offer-holders 94%+ achieved at least one A* And 77%+ achieved at least two A*s And 77%+ achieved at least two A*s Proportions achieving various numbers of A*s: Proportions achieving various numbers of A*s: 0 7% in % in % in % in %16.5% 1 16%16.5% 2 25%23.3% 2 25%23.3% 3 26%27.8% 3 26%27.8% 4 21%22.9% 4 21%22.9% 5+ 5% 3.2% 5+ 5% 3.2% Note: Some of the 0 A* students achieved at least 1 in 2010; Note: Some of the 0 A* students achieved at least 1 in 2010; Some with 0 A* will not have been confirmed. Some with 0 A* will not have been confirmed.

A* CONTINUED 7469 A* grades (6973 last year) among 2934 students holding conditional offers 7469 A* grades (6973 last year) among 2934 students holding conditional offers 53.3% of these A* grades (3977) were achieved by students attending UK maintained sector schools and colleges 53.3% of these A* grades (3977) were achieved by students attending UK maintained sector schools and colleges 41.6% (3107) were achieved by students attending UK independent schools. 41.6% (3107) were achieved by students attending UK independent schools.

A*, PART III This is in line with proportions of offers made This is in line with proportions of offers made Our offer-holders averaged 2.55 A* grades each, 2.4 in 2010 Our offer-holders averaged 2.55 A* grades each, 2.4 in 2010 Independent school applicants averaged 2.65, maintained sector students 2.47 Independent school applicants averaged 2.65, maintained sector students 2.47 Any disparity can be accounted for by the availability of Further Maths A Level Any disparity can be accounted for by the availability of Further Maths A Level

2011 RESULTS: OTHER MATTERS Re-marks will raise the number of A* Re-marks will raise the number of A* AAA* offer may have driven performance up AAA* offer may have driven performance up EPQ grades not considered or part of offers EPQ grades not considered or part of offers Pre-U: D1 and D2, few D3 grades Pre-U: D1 and D2, few D3 grades IB predictions and results remain an issue IB predictions and results remain an issue

SUBJECTS AND CHOICES Contrary to what the press alleges Contrary to what the press alleges All open and nothing hidden All open and nothing hidden Fitness for purpose the key Fitness for purpose the key Not subject title or novelty Not subject title or novelty Colleges offer guidance Colleges offer guidance So too the University’s collective website So too the University’s collective website

SUBJECT MATTERS raduate/apply/docs/subjectmatters.pdf raduate/apply/docs/subjectmatters.pdf

SUBJECT MATTERS, 2 Essential/required subjects Keystone subjects Useful subjects Other subjects Combinations of subjects

undergraduate/teachers/

INCLUDES A guide for teachers/advisers A guide for teachers/advisers A guide for parents/supporters A guide for parents/supporters Cambridge/Oxford differences Cambridge/Oxford differences Events/CPD Events/CPD Behind the Headlines Behind the Headlines Admissions Research Admissions Research

ADMISSIONS RESEARCH Our OFFA Targets and how we came to them Our OFFA Targets and how we came to them AS/A2 Level modular performance and the Tripos AS/A2 Level modular performance and the Tripos School sectors and the Tripos School sectors and the Tripos IB and the Tripos IB and the Tripos Watch the space there will be more Watch the space there will be more

ADMISSIONS RESEARCH, 2 STEP the best (for Maths) STEP the best (for Maths) UMS strongly correlates to our exams UMS strongly correlates to our exams BMAT, GCSE correlate, but less strongly BMAT, GCSE correlate, but less strongly TSA also helpful TSA also helpful Exam correlations not affected by school type Exam correlations not affected by school type IB correlations interesting IB correlations interesting

THERE IS NO ‘SECTOR GAP’ IN CAMBRIDGE EXAM PERFORMANCE

THE IB AND SCIENCES

THE IB AND NON-SCIENCES

CAMBRIDGE DEVELOPMENTS Different approach from Oxford Law Test, TSA and other tests alongside interviews Interviews Statement and references important AS/A2 module scores vital Successful applicants average better than 93% in their best/most relevant three subjects

GUIDING APPLICANTS Course choice first, university second The importance of Year 11 choices GCSE results matter AS results are vital Realism and ambition It is never too early to do extra-curricular reading an academic engagement

PREPARING STUDENTS Exam record is crucial Interview is only one element of the assessment Conversations about academic matters Academic focus not extra-curricular Discussion of recent work and new ideas Extended projects may be good material

MORE INFORMATION Additional information is available in our prospectus and on our websites at: Contact Admissions Tutors in the Colleges Ask questions!