Re:The Oxford maths interview, shaking up admissions
by hellisonwright on Thursday March 03, 2016 @06:04PM
(#11220759)
This is spot on. These days the pressure of achieving A* grades in maths and further maths for maths applicants definitely reduces pupils' capacity for taking additional modules 'for fun'. The standard offer for top universities has become A* A* A, often with the proviso of passing an additional entrance exam (STEP / AEA)... I have seen the offer go as high as A* A* A* without the entrance exam, and achieving this is is a feat in itself, requiring both breadth and depth in several subjects, and consistently strong performances in 6 - 10 exams.
Re:The Oxford maths interview, shaking up admissions
by OJFord on Thursday March 03, 2016 @08:30PM
(#11221419)
[At least when I took them a few years ago] the admissions offices get your raw results anyway - so even if it was just 'A', they could still have their own internal A* for 90+.
Surprised nobody's mentioned STEP, three exams at least two of which are required for the mathematics tripos (and I think engineering at some colleges) and is significantly more likely to require preparation.
I don't think any applicant would be worried about FM - because if they were worried about anything it would (should) be STEP.
But then, uh, I may be biased...
Re:The Oxford maths interview, shaking up admissions
by aninhumer on Friday March 04, 2016 @08:23AM
(#11223531)
>the admissions offices get your raw results anyway - so even if it was just 'A', they could still have their own internal A* for 90+.
But as I understand it, they can't make an offer based on that, so they're already obliged to accept you by the time they get those results.
I'm not sure I like the idea. Only having to hit 80 reduces stress quite a bit, and it gave me time to do extracurricular things like programming, and way more maths modules than anyone should :) If I had to hit 90+ in everything, I would have probably been risk adverse and cut down. It also feels like it selects a bit too much for people who over perform in exams. That said, I did have to send in my raw module marks anyway when I applied ~10 years ago, and did hit 90+ anyway.