Anonymous
09/05/2025 16:45
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Even if predicted grades / scores are required for the UCAS forms and the central Oxford admissions people, they don't seem to be used by the decision makers.
Oxford tutors don't trust predicted grades, even from UK teachers:
https://www.reddit.com/r/oxforduni/comments/1e6cfr1/ama_i_did_ppe_admissions_for_5_years/
This link says they rely on GCSEs (which few US students would have), TSA scores, and -- most important -- interview results.
High SAT scores are necessary but not sufficient. AP scores too.
Near-perfect SAT scores seem to correlate with very high TSA scores. That's what gets students through the first cut. Then the interviews are determinative. About 30% of students interviewed are offered offers.
If your school does not predict all 5's for the AP's for Oxford, then the application simply does not progress. You will be put on the waiting pile and when the interviews are set up you just won't get one.
If your school won’t predict a 5 on all your APs, you probably shouldn’t be applying to Oxford anyway.
A college counselor who would do that —unless the kid has no 5s from junior year AND doesn’t have a prayer at a 5 in senior year — is out to get the kid.
I can’t see it happening.
It is not common practice to offer "predicted grades" in the US for AP exams. But if pushed, the counselor will say something along the lines of "X student achieved 3 AP exams at 5 last year, we see no reason why they won't achieve another 3 AP exams at grade 5 again this year" That is what my kids HS did for her and she progressed to the next stage at Oxford.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 16:41
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote:Can you be a competitive candidate if no AP but have high GPA from a known rigorous high school (that doesn’t offer APs)?
When I was at Oxford there were a lot of super wealthy dumb asses butt they were mostly from the developing world
Anonymous
09/05/2025 16:17
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Even if predicted grades / scores are required for the UCAS forms and the central Oxford admissions people, they don't seem to be used by the decision makers.
Oxford tutors don't trust predicted grades, even from UK teachers:
https://www.reddit.com/r/oxforduni/comments/1e6cfr1/ama_i_did_ppe_admissions_for_5_years/
This link says they rely on GCSEs (which few US students would have), TSA scores, and -- most important -- interview results.
High SAT scores are necessary but not sufficient. AP scores too.
Near-perfect SAT scores seem to correlate with very high TSA scores. That's what gets students through the first cut. Then the interviews are determinative. About 30% of students interviewed are offered offers.
If your school does not predict all 5's for the AP's for Oxford, then the application simply does not progress. You will be put on the waiting pile and when the interviews are set up you just won't get one.
If your school won’t predict a 5 on all your APs, you probably shouldn’t be applying to Oxford anyway.
A college counselor who would do that —unless the kid has no 5s from junior year AND doesn’t have a prayer at a 5 in senior year — is out to get the kid.
I can’t see it happening.
A counselor who doesn't predict that a kid will get all 5's, should tell the kid they can't predict 5's, and that the kid should apply elsewhere. Predicting 5's, when that's not what they actually expect, can result in a kid getting a conditional offer, and then finding themselves without a school when AP results come out. A counselor who facilitates that is the one who is acting unprofessionally. Predicting multiple for a kid who had 1 or 2 in junior year and "a prayer" of getting some in senior year, is dishonest and unethical.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 12:32
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Even if predicted grades / scores are required for the UCAS forms and the central Oxford admissions people, they don't seem to be used by the decision makers.
Oxford tutors don't trust predicted grades, even from UK teachers:
https://www.reddit.com/r/oxforduni/comments/1e6cfr1/ama_i_did_ppe_admissions_for_5_years/
This link says they rely on GCSEs (which few US students would have), TSA scores, and -- most important -- interview results.
High SAT scores are necessary but not sufficient. AP scores too.
Near-perfect SAT scores seem to correlate with very high TSA scores. That's what gets students through the first cut. Then the interviews are determinative. About 30% of students interviewed are offered offers.
If your school does not predict all 5's for the AP's for Oxford, then the application simply does not progress. You will be put on the waiting pile and when the interviews are set up you just won't get one.
If your school won’t predict a 5 on all your APs, you probably shouldn’t be applying to Oxford anyway.
A college counselor who would do that —unless the kid has no 5s from junior year AND doesn’t have a prayer at a 5 in senior year — is out to get the kid.
I can’t see it happening.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 11:23
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote:Even if predicted grades / scores are required for the UCAS forms and the central Oxford admissions people, they don't seem to be used by the decision makers.
Oxford tutors don't trust predicted grades, even from UK teachers:
https://www.reddit.com/r/oxforduni/comments/1e6cfr1/ama_i_did_ppe_admissions_for_5_years/
This link says they rely on GCSEs (which few US students would have), TSA scores, and -- most important -- interview results.
High SAT scores are necessary but not sufficient. AP scores too.
Near-perfect SAT scores seem to correlate with very high TSA scores. That's what gets students through the first cut. Then the interviews are determinative. About 30% of students interviewed are offered offers.
If your school does not predict all 5's for the AP's for Oxford, then the application simply does not progress. You will be put on the waiting pile and when the interviews are set up you just won't get one.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 11:13
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Even if predicted grades / scores are required for the UCAS forms and the central Oxford admissions people, they don't seem to be used by the decision makers.
Oxford tutors don't trust predicted grades, even from UK teachers:
https://www.reddit.com/r/oxforduni/comments/1e6cfr1/ama_i_did_ppe_admissions_for_5_years/
This link says they rely on GCSEs (which few US students would have), TSA scores, and -- most important -- interview results.
High SAT scores are necessary but not sufficient. AP scores too.
Near-perfect SAT scores seem to correlate with very high TSA scores. That's what gets students through the first cut. Then the interviews are determinative. About 30% of students interviewed are offered offers.
Oxford tutors don't trust predicted grades, even from UK teachers:
https://www.reddit.com/r/oxforduni/comments/1e6cfr1/ama_i_did_ppe_admissions_for_5_years/
This link says they rely on GCSEs (which few US students would have), TSA scores, and -- most important -- interview results.
High SAT scores are necessary but not sufficient. AP scores too.
Near-perfect SAT scores seem to correlate with very high TSA scores. That's what gets students through the first cut. Then the interviews are determinative. About 30% of students interviewed are offered offers.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 08:41
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:They care about AP scores, not AP classes. A 5 with an A in the class is not better to Oxford than a self studied 5.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oxford mainly only cares about APs related to the course you're applying forAnonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain the 2 years rule?
Does an exam from sophomore year count?
If my kid has 5 or more 5’s in junior/senior year, but some of the obvious ones for his major were taken in freshman or sophomore year or earlier, will that be held against them?
Yes it counts against him. Read the OXford website
I can't find language that talks about the 2 year requirement.
My sophomore wants engineering. He likes the idea of studying abroad, but hasn't made any decisions about where to apply, so the goal is just to keep that door open.
He wants engineering which is a A*A*A course, and requires exams in math and physics. If he takes the exams in the years he takes the courses he'll have
8th grade
CSA
Freshmen year
Physics 1 and 2
2 other exams
Sophomore year
BC Calc
Chemistry
some other exams
Junior year
Biology
some other exams
Senior Year
Physics C -- both parts
some other exams
He's gotten a 5 on every thing so far, but of course who knows.
If he continues to get 5's, is the fact that BC was in 10th really going to mean that Oxbridge isn't an option? That seems nuts to me.
Are the “some other exams” APs? If so you’re fine. He has 3 STEM APs in 11/12 - bio and two physics. Toss in AP Lit, Lang, Euro, or whatever non-stem ones he also has happening.
Yes, he'll take a language exam or two, and probably AP Lit and Lang, APUSH etc . . .
I would rephrase that slightly to Oxford cares about the AP courses you're taking and how these can apply to your major. So if you're applying for Experimental Psychology and you've got Chem, Bio, Stats, Calc and English Lang you have an advantage because most A level students applying for this course who are taking only 3 A levels (the standard) will unlikely be taking English Language. But if you have that as an AP they know you'll be able to handle the essay content of the course, of which there is quite a lot at different stages of the 3 yr program.
This is wildly mis-informed.
NP my kid got in with only self studied 5s. so I dont think it's misinformed.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 08:14
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Some of the universities in the UK will make allowances for the fact that schools in the USA do not always offer AP classes / exams. In some cases they will take A grades in honors classes as an equivalent. But this is on a case by case / university by university basis.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 08:11
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote:They care about AP scores, not AP classes. A 5 with an A in the class is not better to Oxford than a self studied 5.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oxford mainly only cares about APs related to the course you're applying forAnonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain the 2 years rule?
Does an exam from sophomore year count?
If my kid has 5 or more 5’s in junior/senior year, but some of the obvious ones for his major were taken in freshman or sophomore year or earlier, will that be held against them?
Yes it counts against him. Read the OXford website
I can't find language that talks about the 2 year requirement.
My sophomore wants engineering. He likes the idea of studying abroad, but hasn't made any decisions about where to apply, so the goal is just to keep that door open.
He wants engineering which is a A*A*A course, and requires exams in math and physics. If he takes the exams in the years he takes the courses he'll have
8th grade
CSA
Freshmen year
Physics 1 and 2
2 other exams
Sophomore year
BC Calc
Chemistry
some other exams
Junior year
Biology
some other exams
Senior Year
Physics C -- both parts
some other exams
He's gotten a 5 on every thing so far, but of course who knows.
If he continues to get 5's, is the fact that BC was in 10th really going to mean that Oxbridge isn't an option? That seems nuts to me.
Are the “some other exams” APs? If so you’re fine. He has 3 STEM APs in 11/12 - bio and two physics. Toss in AP Lit, Lang, Euro, or whatever non-stem ones he also has happening.
Yes, he'll take a language exam or two, and probably AP Lit and Lang, APUSH etc . . .
I would rephrase that slightly to Oxford cares about the AP courses you're taking and how these can apply to your major. So if you're applying for Experimental Psychology and you've got Chem, Bio, Stats, Calc and English Lang you have an advantage because most A level students applying for this course who are taking only 3 A levels (the standard) will unlikely be taking English Language. But if you have that as an AP they know you'll be able to handle the essay content of the course, of which there is quite a lot at different stages of the 3 yr program.
This is wildly mis-informed.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 06:55
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote: They care about AP scores, not AP classes. A 5 with an A in the class is not better to Oxford than a self studied 5.
This -- and broadly this is true across most UK universities. It also is largely true in other European universities.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 05:59
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
They care about AP scores, not AP classes. A 5 with an A in the class is not better to Oxford than a self studied 5.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oxford mainly only cares about APs related to the course you're applying forAnonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain the 2 years rule?
Does an exam from sophomore year count?
If my kid has 5 or more 5’s in junior/senior year, but some of the obvious ones for his major were taken in freshman or sophomore year or earlier, will that be held against them?
Yes it counts against him. Read the OXford website
I can't find language that talks about the 2 year requirement.
My sophomore wants engineering. He likes the idea of studying abroad, but hasn't made any decisions about where to apply, so the goal is just to keep that door open.
He wants engineering which is a A*A*A course, and requires exams in math and physics. If he takes the exams in the years he takes the courses he'll have
8th grade
CSA
Freshmen year
Physics 1 and 2
2 other exams
Sophomore year
BC Calc
Chemistry
some other exams
Junior year
Biology
some other exams
Senior Year
Physics C -- both parts
some other exams
He's gotten a 5 on every thing so far, but of course who knows.
If he continues to get 5's, is the fact that BC was in 10th really going to mean that Oxbridge isn't an option? That seems nuts to me.
Are the “some other exams” APs? If so you’re fine. He has 3 STEM APs in 11/12 - bio and two physics. Toss in AP Lit, Lang, Euro, or whatever non-stem ones he also has happening.
Yes, he'll take a language exam or two, and probably AP Lit and Lang, APUSH etc . . .
I would rephrase that slightly to Oxford cares about the AP courses you're taking and how these can apply to your major. So if you're applying for Experimental Psychology and you've got Chem, Bio, Stats, Calc and English Lang you have an advantage because most A level students applying for this course who are taking only 3 A levels (the standard) will unlikely be taking English Language. But if you have that as an AP they know you'll be able to handle the essay content of the course, of which there is quite a lot at different stages of the 3 yr program.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 02:21
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain the 2 years rule?
Does an exam from sophomore year count?
If my kid has 5 or more 5’s in junior/senior year, but some of the obvious ones for his major were taken in freshman or sophomore year or earlier, will that be held against them?
Yes it counts against him. Read the OXford website
My kid's offer to Oxford was contingent on "five APs with a score of 5"; it did not specify which subjects those APs had to be in. So as long as a kid has the numbers in junior and senior year, I don't think that having taken the subject ones in freshman or sophomore year would be a problem. Maybe there's a difference in STEM, but I doubt it.
When was this?
They have updated their US requirements recently. So if it was in the past couple years, its moot.
Was in the past couple of years. There might be variation by course, though. Some courses may require specific AP exams. My kid's did not.
Those courses where the subjects are not specified for exams, are the more unusual majors. Good for him though, that's a great result. Did he go?
DP: where do you find that courses have specified AP exams? I see Admissions Requirements for 2026 by course ( https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/admission-requirements/admission-requirements-table ), which specifies essential, recommended, and helpful fields of study, along with required subject tests.
I also find Qualification Requirements for international students by country, which lays out that for some courses with required math, students must take Calc BC if available: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/international-qualifications
My DS is applying for PPE, which is one of the largest courses, I believe. They recommend "Maths" and say History is "helpful", but they do not mention anything about required AP exams. DS can't take AP Micro until senior year, so he won't have a score for it.
They will require a "predicted" score for that AP Micro, officially from the school counselor, as part of the application. Without it they won't progress the student towards the interview stage.
I think you are wrong -- Econ is not even listed as a 'helpful' subject for PPE applicants. If kid has a math AP (preferably BC) and perhaps a history, he should be good.
The TSA test is required for PPE applicants, and from what we hear, is often determinative of whether US students are invited for interviews. Apparently, Oxford tutors believe grade inflation is out of control in the US and that AP exams are too easy.
You are correct however, that if they don't get above a certain grade in the TSA they do not get offered interview. This last year the cut off was 65 points or above.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 02:20
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain the 2 years rule?
Does an exam from sophomore year count?
If my kid has 5 or more 5’s in junior/senior year, but some of the obvious ones for his major were taken in freshman or sophomore year or earlier, will that be held against them?
Yes it counts against him. Read the OXford website
My kid's offer to Oxford was contingent on "five APs with a score of 5"; it did not specify which subjects those APs had to be in. So as long as a kid has the numbers in junior and senior year, I don't think that having taken the subject ones in freshman or sophomore year would be a problem. Maybe there's a difference in STEM, but I doubt it.
When was this?
They have updated their US requirements recently. So if it was in the past couple years, its moot.
Was in the past couple of years. There might be variation by course, though. Some courses may require specific AP exams. My kid's did not.
Those courses where the subjects are not specified for exams, are the more unusual majors. Good for him though, that's a great result. Did he go?
DP: where do you find that courses have specified AP exams? I see Admissions Requirements for 2026 by course ( https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/admission-requirements/admission-requirements-table ), which specifies essential, recommended, and helpful fields of study, along with required subject tests.
I also find Qualification Requirements for international students by country, which lays out that for some courses with required math, students must take Calc BC if available: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/international-qualifications
My DS is applying for PPE, which is one of the largest courses, I believe. They recommend "Maths" and say History is "helpful", but they do not mention anything about required AP exams. DS can't take AP Micro until senior year, so he won't have a score for it.
They will require a "predicted" score for that AP Micro, officially from the school counselor, as part of the application. Without it they won't progress the student towards the interview stage.
I think you are wrong -- Econ is not even listed as a 'helpful' subject for PPE applicants. If kid has a math AP (preferably BC) and perhaps a history, he should be good.
The TSA test is required for PPE applicants, and from what we hear, is often determinative of whether US students are invited for interviews. Apparently, Oxford tutors believe grade inflation is out of control in the US and that AP exams are too easy.
I am not wrong. I had direct contact with the Oxford admissions office this last cycle on this exact point.
Anonymous
09/04/2025 21:43
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote:Oxybridge takes really high stats kids 1550+ (more often 1580+) and all 5 scores of APs. But they typically don’t have strong ECs.
I’m pretty sure “Oxybridge” is just a nickname for Appalachian State
Anonymous
09/04/2025 17:39
Subject: Stats for kids attending Oxford UK from the US
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain the 2 years rule?
Does an exam from sophomore year count?
If my kid has 5 or more 5’s in junior/senior year, but some of the obvious ones for his major were taken in freshman or sophomore year or earlier, will that be held against them?
Yes it counts against him. Read the OXford website
My kid's offer to Oxford was contingent on "five APs with a score of 5"; it did not specify which subjects those APs had to be in. So as long as a kid has the numbers in junior and senior year, I don't think that having taken the subject ones in freshman or sophomore year would be a problem. Maybe there's a difference in STEM, but I doubt it.
When was this?
They have updated their US requirements recently. So if it was in the past couple years, its moot.
Was in the past couple of years. There might be variation by course, though. Some courses may require specific AP exams. My kid's did not.
Those courses where the subjects are not specified for exams, are the more unusual majors. Good for him though, that's a great result. Did he go?
DP: where do you find that courses have specified AP exams? I see Admissions Requirements for 2026 by course ( https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/admission-requirements/admission-requirements-table ), which specifies essential, recommended, and helpful fields of study, along with required subject tests.
I also find Qualification Requirements for international students by country, which lays out that for some courses with required math, students must take Calc BC if available: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/international-qualifications
My DS is applying for PPE, which is one of the largest courses, I believe. They recommend "Maths" and say History is "helpful", but they do not mention anything about required AP exams. DS can't take AP Micro until senior year, so he won't have a score for it.
They will require a "predicted" score for that AP Micro, officially from the school counselor, as part of the application. Without it they won't progress the student towards the interview stage.
I think you are wrong -- Econ is not even listed as a 'helpful' subject for PPE applicants. If kid has a math AP (preferably BC) and perhaps a history, he should be good.
The TSA test is required for PPE applicants, and from what we hear, is often determinative of whether US students are invited for interviews. Apparently, Oxford tutors believe grade inflation is out of control in the US and that AP exams are too easy.