“Sometimes textbooks explain better than teachers” TOTALLY AGREE, the physics department in my school are almost ENTIRELY incompetent and arrogant. Its really enfuriating but the sad reality is that you have to self teach most of your subjects in order to understand them.
@@Guresu Congrats! Would you say you’re a role model student who does loads of super curriculars with an amazing personality, worthy of Oxbridge. Or more just someone who can get good grades? I feel like I’m just someone who can get good grades from revision, but idk if I’m worthy of Oxbridge in terms of other activities. I’ll be starting 6th form next week and I kind of want to do Nat sci at Cambridge, but don’t know if I have a chance of being accepted. It sort of feels like being accepted to Oxbridge isn’t something feasible to me
@@xenqor5438 Oxbridge doesn’t really care about your personality lol I think they just really care that you’re a passionate and able student. If you can get good grades and can show your passion with supercurricular activities then you have a shot! I’d say go for it :)
I'm doing 12 A-levels, my bad 5 of them aren't A-levels but Cambridge Pre-U, I'm doing 7 A-levels: - Maths - Further Maths - Chemistry Pre-U - Physics Pre-U - Biology - Computer Science - Spanish - Chinese Language Pre-U - English Language - English Literature Pre-U - Economics Pre-U (doing that in five days) - Media Studies (doing that in five days) Sorry also my bad, Maths, Further Maths, Biology and Computer Science are International A-levels and not A-levels. So I am doing 3 A-levels! I already sat some A-level, International A-level and Cambridge Pre-U papers and sitting more papers. Dropping one of these won't look good as you said, so I didn't withdraw any private exams and had to pay lots of money for 7 exams as my school only allow maximum of 5 A-levels which I chose A-level Spanish, Pre-U Physics, Pre-U Chemistry, English Literature Pre-U and Mandarin Pre-U. My predicted grades are A*A*A*A*A*A*A D1/A** D/A**1 D1/A** D1/A** D3/A Is this not enough? Is 22 A-levels and 24 AS-levels the minimum as someone went to Cambridge with 22 A-levels? I did 24 GCSEs my grades are 999999999999999999997777. Is this good enough? Are you sure most do 3 A-levels and some do 4 A-levels? I'm sure most going to Oxford and Cambridge are doing much more A-levels than me.
Your video is so useful. I just finished my IGCSE, and this video is absolutely useful for my A-level course. Thanks so much. It would be better if I found your account earlier=((
For a long time I was keen on studying science and biology, so I looked at the different courses at different universities and found that Natural Sciences at Cambridge seemed like a great course for me. It's not offered in many other places so I applied for biology at my other university choices.
Great video, I could tell you didn't have the intention of boasting or making a big deal about your results but instead used it as evidence that your revision methods worked very well. I appreciate your calm and concise way of explaining your A level experience and providing advice, most other videos are saturated with unnecessary jokes and random information, you kept it to the point. I couldn't find the work spreadsheet in the description, would you be able to link it? Thanks for the advice and hopefully things are going well at Cambridge for you.
For A-level Maths, is your exam board Learning Resource Network? For Further Maths, my exam board is OxfordAQA. What are your exam board for Maths and Further Maths?
Ilya, Can you please make a video on your experience with Biology Olympiad? I'm planning to do the informatics Olympiad but im only year 11 so I gotta wait 2 years. How did you prepare? I'm trying to self-learn stuff like Dijkstra's algorithm - I don't know whether I should during year 11 as we learn it in 6th form Further Maths Is it worth starting now? Also I'm trying to learn C++, going well so far :)
For the biology olympiad I essentially read ahead of the biology A-level syllabus by reading a chapter per week (meaning I essentially had covered all A-level content by February) and had a look at some past papers from the BBO and other countries. Self-learning something like Dijkstra isn't hard like it's a relatively simple algorithm. I don't think it'd hurt to start now as long as you're not jeopardising your studies in some way.
further maths gcse is meant to be in between the difficulty of gcse and a level maths. idrk much about aqa further maths gcse but i am taking wjec additional maths and the content is much simpler than a level maths, mostly introductory calculus.
my school doesn't provide teachers for any STEM A level subjects, the only one around that does costs more than I could ever hope to get if I sold both my kidneys. I've been self-studying for half a year now and registered to study maths, further math, CS, and physics. If I get the grades I need will Cambridge consider giving me an offer or will I get rejected right away?
You won't get rejected immediately if you had to self-study. I'd personally think it's more impressive if you get top grades without any teachers. However, good grades alone won't get you in so do keep that in mind.
Hello I'm picking my alevel subjects and I was thinking to pick biology chemistry and philophy do you think they are good choices and which unis would prefer or not prefer this?:)
Depends what you're applying for! In general I'd day chemistry and biology A-level are good. Check out the course requirements at specific unis to see if your A-levels would be suitable.
I don't know if those courses have interviews but you can email the admissions tutors to check. There probably is an interview. I recently had an interview for my MPhil (will make a video about that soon).
@@Louis-gd2cq Dutch A-level was basically negligible, but I did the whole of A-level maths in year 12 so that took quite a bit of work. I spent a ridiculously high amount of time on my EPQ (not necessary) so that took quite a lot of time. I didn't have exams for bio and chem in year 12 so didn't spend as much time on them. Overall I managed to do well and still have time to pass driving test and see friends, but yeah at times it was difficult. Trick is to do smart revision and efficiently, and not waste time.
For further maths, how many/which modules did you take? We have the option of taking 5 exams and they take the best of 4 - I was just wondering how you maximised ur chance of A*? :D
Hi! I did the old modular maths A-levels and I haven't looked into what the new system is like but here's what I did: I did 13 modules overall, meaning that I had one extra one in case I messed up an exam. FP3 ended up not counting, and it was the hardest exam anyway. For maths A-level, only the C3 and C4 modules counted for an A*, so I focused a lot on them and not as much on C1 and C2. I did S1, S2, and S3 (with the last one being self-taught), M1 and M2, and D1. To maximise your chances of getting an A*, make sure you know and understand all the theory you need and do all the past papers you can find. Hope that helps!
@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice Amazing - thank you!!! It's similar-ish now in that you can still choose modules for Further Maths and I might do what you did and take an extra just in case I mess up!
This is my Teacher predicted grades: Mathematics- 7 English language- 4 English literature- 4 Chemistry- 5 Biology- 6 Geography- 6 Physics- 7 PE- 8 Classical Greek- 7 Would this be a good enough set of results for an Oxbridge application if these were to come out as my final grades?
@@danielalizadeh2439 If you do well at A-level you'll probably make a good application to Russel group universities. Remember that it's not all about GCSEs.
They mainly care about a level results, there's a guy with not even a single a in gcses yet he's doing a masters a law now, ibzmo. Having higher gcses increases your likelihood of your application of being accepted, these are also predicted so you can change them
Subscribe or your A-levels will be cancelled
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Oh, wait....
“Sometimes textbooks explain better than teachers”
TOTALLY AGREE, the physics department in my school are almost ENTIRELY incompetent and arrogant. Its really enfuriating but the sad reality is that you have to self teach most of your subjects in order to understand them.
Long-term it's a good skill. A lot of students at Oxbridge struggle because they're used to being spoonfed and not self-learning.
you are really really underrated, you sure will go far ahead sir
Great video! Look forward to the next ones. I’m studying Maths, Chemistry, Physics and French and I’m hoping to study at Cambridge!
Good luck with your application!
Did you get in
@@xenqor5438 Ended up at Oxford for chemistry haha
@@Guresu Congrats!
Would you say you’re a role model student who does loads of super curriculars with an amazing personality, worthy of Oxbridge.
Or more just someone who can get good grades? I feel like I’m just someone who can get good grades from revision, but idk if I’m worthy of Oxbridge in terms of other activities.
I’ll be starting 6th form next week and I kind of want to do Nat sci at Cambridge, but don’t know if I have a chance of being accepted. It sort of feels like being accepted to Oxbridge isn’t something feasible to me
@@xenqor5438 Oxbridge doesn’t really care about your personality lol I think they just really care that you’re a passionate and able student. If you can get good grades and can show your passion with supercurricular activities then you have a shot! I’d say go for it :)
thank you! I discovered anki from you some time ago and it really helped me hahaha
Just thinking the channel is called 'There is Cambridge Advice' 😂
I mean it's not wrong
I'm doing 12 A-levels, my bad 5 of them aren't A-levels but Cambridge Pre-U, I'm doing 7 A-levels:
- Maths
- Further Maths
- Chemistry Pre-U
- Physics Pre-U
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Spanish
- Chinese Language Pre-U
- English Language
- English Literature Pre-U
- Economics Pre-U (doing that in five days)
- Media Studies (doing that in five days)
Sorry also my bad, Maths, Further Maths, Biology and Computer Science are International A-levels and not A-levels.
So I am doing 3 A-levels!
I already sat some A-level, International A-level and Cambridge Pre-U papers and sitting more papers.
Dropping one of these won't look good as you said, so I didn't withdraw any private exams and had to pay lots of money for 7 exams as my school only allow maximum of 5 A-levels which I chose A-level Spanish, Pre-U Physics, Pre-U Chemistry, English Literature Pre-U and Mandarin Pre-U.
My predicted grades are A*A*A*A*A*A*A D1/A** D/A**1 D1/A** D1/A** D3/A
Is this not enough? Is 22 A-levels and 24 AS-levels the minimum as someone went to Cambridge with 22 A-levels?
I did 24 GCSEs my grades are 999999999999999999997777. Is this good enough?
Are you sure most do 3 A-levels and some do 4 A-levels? I'm sure most going to Oxford and Cambridge are doing much more A-levels than me.
Sorry your GCSEs aren't good enough
@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice Humor right?
@@raidsyed41 Well nah
Your video is so useful. I just finished my IGCSE, and this video is absolutely useful for my A-level course. Thanks so much. It would be better if I found your account earlier=((
1st comment !!! I've never been this early to watch your vids
Finaly i got to know that i have been doing the wrong thing all these days
Hey, thanks for your videos - useful tips! Just wondering, could you give any insight into how you chose your degree?
For a long time I was keen on studying science and biology, so I looked at the different courses at different universities and found that Natural Sciences at Cambridge seemed like a great course for me. It's not offered in many other places so I applied for biology at my other university choices.
@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice Thank you! :)
Great video, I could tell you didn't have the intention of boasting or making a big deal about your results but instead used it as evidence that your revision methods worked very well.
I appreciate your calm and concise way of explaining your A level experience and providing advice, most other videos are saturated with unnecessary jokes and random information, you kept it to the point. I couldn't find the work spreadsheet in the description, would you be able to link it?
Thanks for the advice and hopefully things are going well at Cambridge for you.
Glad you like my content! I haven't released my spreadsheet yet but I'll do it in a few days along with a video explaining how to use it.
For A-level Maths, is your exam board Learning Resource Network?
For Further Maths, my exam board is OxfordAQA.
What are your exam board for Maths and Further Maths?
Both edexcel
Ilya, Can you please make a video on your experience with Biology Olympiad? I'm planning to do the informatics Olympiad but im only year 11 so I gotta wait 2 years.
How did you prepare?
I'm trying to self-learn stuff like Dijkstra's algorithm - I don't know whether I should during year 11 as we learn it in 6th form Further Maths
Is it worth starting now?
Also I'm trying to learn C++, going well so far :)
For the biology olympiad I essentially read ahead of the biology A-level syllabus by reading a chapter per week (meaning I essentially had covered all A-level content by February) and had a look at some past papers from the BBO and other countries. Self-learning something like Dijkstra isn't hard like it's a relatively simple algorithm. I don't think it'd hurt to start now as long as you're not jeopardising your studies in some way.
Isn’t further maths gsce just the same as a level maths
further maths gcse is meant to be in between the difficulty of gcse and a level maths. idrk much about aqa further maths gcse but i am taking wjec additional maths and the content is much simpler than a level maths, mostly introductory calculus.
my school doesn't provide teachers for any STEM A level subjects, the only one around that does costs more than I could ever hope to get if I sold both my kidneys. I've been self-studying for half a year now and registered to study maths, further math, CS, and physics. If I get the grades I need will Cambridge consider giving me an offer or will I get rejected right away?
I was given keys to study in an empty classroom lol
You won't get rejected immediately if you had to self-study. I'd personally think it's more impressive if you get top grades without any teachers. However, good grades alone won't get you in so do keep that in mind.
@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice What a relief. Thank you
If you don't mind be asking, what were your predicted grades at the end of year 12? I am in year 12 and just curious to know.
At the start of year 13 my predicted grades were A*s
Now we are only aloud to take 3 or 4 A levels..
I haven't heard of anywhere that teaches 5 A-levels, generally people who do 5 self-teach one.
Hello, nice video. I was just wondering what secondary school did you go to?
Could you tell me the grade required to study in UK.
Hello I'm picking my alevel subjects and I was thinking to pick biology chemistry and philophy do you think they are good choices and which unis would prefer or not prefer this?:)
Depends what you're applying for! In general I'd day chemistry and biology A-level are good. Check out the course requirements at specific unis to see if your A-levels would be suitable.
Is there any interview for the MPhil in engineering for sustainable development? Nothing is mentioned about in their website
I don't know if those courses have interviews but you can email the admissions tutors to check.
There probably is an interview.
I recently had an interview for my MPhil (will make a video about that soon).
hey! what if im a private student for both GCSEs and A-levels, does that matter?
I mean if you're sitting the same exams and getting the right grades then that's fine
@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice makes sense! thank you! ur videos are quite helpful, just subscribed :)
Did you do an EPQ as well as 5 a levels?
Yeah I did an EPQ in year 12
@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice How did you find the workload in year 12 with 5 a levels + EPQ?
@@Louis-gd2cq Dutch A-level was basically negligible, but I did the whole of A-level maths in year 12 so that took quite a bit of work. I spent a ridiculously high amount of time on my EPQ (not necessary) so that took quite a lot of time. I didn't have exams for bio and chem in year 12 so didn't spend as much time on them. Overall I managed to do well and still have time to pass driving test and see friends, but yeah at times it was difficult. Trick is to do smart revision and efficiently, and not waste time.
@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice I'll be in a similar position next year with Maths, FM, Physics and Chem + EPQ so that's reassured me a bit more.
Thanks mate.
How many subjects minimum to pick at A level
3
For further maths, how many/which modules did you take? We have the option of taking 5 exams and they take the best of 4 - I was just wondering how you maximised ur chance of A*? :D
Hi! I did the old modular maths A-levels and I haven't looked into what the new system is like but here's what I did:
I did 13 modules overall, meaning that I had one extra one in case I messed up an exam. FP3 ended up not counting, and it was the hardest exam anyway.
For maths A-level, only the C3 and C4 modules counted for an A*, so I focused a lot on them and not as much on C1 and C2.
I did S1, S2, and S3 (with the last one being self-taught), M1 and M2, and D1.
To maximise your chances of getting an A*, make sure you know and understand all the theory you need and do all the past papers you can find.
Hope that helps!
@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice Amazing - thank you!!! It's similar-ish now in that you can still choose modules for Further Maths and I might do what you did and take an extra just in case I mess up!
This is my Teacher predicted grades:
Mathematics- 7
English language- 4
English literature- 4
Chemistry- 5
Biology- 6
Geography- 6
Physics- 7
PE- 8
Classical Greek- 7
Would this be a good enough set of results for an Oxbridge application if these were to come out as my final grades?
Hi, with those grades you're unlikely to make a competitive application to Oxbridge.
@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice how about for other Russel group unis such as imperial or Kings?
@@danielalizadeh2439 If you do well at A-level you'll probably make a good application to Russel group universities. Remember that it's not all about GCSEs.
@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice thanks
They mainly care about a level results, there's a guy with not even a single a in gcses yet he's doing a masters a law now, ibzmo. Having higher gcses increases your likelihood of your application of being accepted, these are also predicted so you can change them