I honestly don't have a clue what im going to do later in life. Im fairly sure on my A-Level/Diploma courses but i don't no where anything leads...

FootballFan said: I honestly don't have a clue what im going to do later in life. Im fairly sure on my A-Level/Diploma courses but i don't no where anything leads...

most people dont, my advice is to study whatever intrests you most and see where that leads (thats what im doing)

FootballFan said: I honestly don't have a clue what im going to do later in life. Im fairly sure on my A-Level/Diploma courses but i don't no where anything leads...

Am in the same boat, but somehow my parents have the mystical powers of knowing on what I should pursue in life.

My mate also got an offer at Cambridge, A*, A, A for Computing Science.

I, myself, have applied for Computing Science at Surrey, Sussex, Kent, and University of East Anglia. I have conditional offers at Surrey and UEA (ABB), and Sussex (AAC). And I've got an interview with Kent on the 21st (same day as an economics exam, and my driving test on the 25th :S).

In another note, the person who interviewed me at Surrey actually sent a letter to my form tutor at college, and he basically said that he was very pleased with my interview, and that I'm a very interesting person to talk to. Apparently, this is the first letter of its sort that my form tutor have ever seen, and no one that I know have ever received this kind of thing before, so I'm really pleased at the moment. :)

What is this A, AAA, AS you guys are talking about?

UK 16-18 year olds have A-levels as the main academic qualification. Most do four  subjects (Physics, English, Economics etc.) for one year at 'AS' level and then drop one to carry on three to the next year, 'A2' level. The exams in AS and A2 levels count towards the final A-level grade.

A-levels are graded A*,A,B,C,D,E or U (ungraded). A*-C are considered respectable. You apply for university (for 3 or 4 year degrees) after you know your AS grades but ot your A2 ones (and therefore not full A-level ones). Based on your predicted A-level scores, interviews, and a short personal statement you write for the application, universities make people conditional offers of a certain number and standard of A-level grades. For example, AAB means two A grades and one B grade. If they then meet that offer after their A2 exams, they get a place at the university.

A*AA is the highest standard offer made by a university. Cambridge is, as I'm sure you know, one of the two most prestigious and academically respected universities in the UK, and in the top ten in the world by many estimates.

Holy crap, that's really different from Canada... Do you know what the equivalent percentages would be for those grades?

Yes, I thought it might be. How does yours work?

Percentages aren't a perfect comparison because the difficulty of questions on your exams may be different, but A* = 90%, A = 80%, B = 70%, C = 60%, D = 50%, E = 40%, below is U.

Do you share a subject choice with me at that age bracket, and if so what areas of it do you study? I'd like to see how it differs.

Im probably in your same age bracket if your graduating this school year....

Here, after one graduates from high-school, they can apply for a university, provided their average is high enough. The average is calculated by taking 1 math mark, 1 English mark, and 3 elective marks (all grade 12 level, of course). The electives are subdivided into 2 categories (sciences and arts, I think), and at least 1 mark from each category must be used (so they won't take 3 science marks, even if they're your highest). The marks that will be chosen are the ones that satisfy the above conditions and give you the highest possible average. Each university has their own minimum required average (usually 75-80%).

After you apply for a university (this is done before your final high-school year ends if you're not taking a year off), you'll receive a letter if you're accepted. This is conditional, however, as you must pass all of the mandatory classes, have a minimum of 24 credits, and maintain a satisfactory average by the end of the year. If the above conditions are met, then you go to university. A bachelor's degree can be acquired in 4 years, after which you may continue with post-graduate studies if you wish.

Is E considered a passing grade? Asking because you must get a 50% to pass here (60% for engineering classes).

I'm thinking of studying physics or math. Those are the areas I'm really good at and I find them really interesting. I don't understand your question though...