During this month, students will sit UK exams and mocks. It’s important to know how these results may impact future US Uni Applications. Though there are many differences between the university admissions processes in the UK and the US, both systems consider grades the cornerstone of the application. Thus, achieving top results on your exams will be an advantage when applying to selective US universities.

In the US, there is no national curriculum. Students receive firm grades every four to six months, depending on their specific school district’s policies. Every year, these grades are recorded and eventual make up the GPA (Grade Point Average) you read about on university websites.

The UK does not have an analogous system. And thus, UK exam results must take the place of these regularly documented US grades. Because UK students essentially have two kinds of results before they apply to US universities, a great deal of emphasis is placed on these exams. Below, we breakdown how each set of exams impacts your US university applications.

GCSE Results: This is the first set of official exams that you take in secondary school. When you finish your GCSE exams, you are essentially finishing the first two years of US high school. Thus, these results count for half of your academic record when a US university reviews your application. GCSE results are used as the first benchmark to determine if your application should remain in the pile and continue to be read by the committee. For the most selective schools in the US, every subject matters. Though in the UK they may only care about the subjects related to your chosen university course, in the US they will carefully view all your results. US schools care about every subject because of the liberal arts ethos that is popular in US higher education. When you receive your GCSE results, you should meet with an advisor to help you understand what US university options are still available to you.

A-Level/IB Predictions: Your predicted grades, most often assessed at the end of year 12 and perhaps refined and solidified the first few months of year 13, are sent to US universities. These predictions are just as important as your GCSE results! They carry significant weight in the review process. Working with an advisor to determine how your predicted grades will be considered at any given school is the smartest way forward.  

A-Level/IB Results: At this point, US and UK university admissions departments use grades differently! Your official exam results will only be available after you have committed to a US university. Though there is the expectation that you will finish your courses to the same standard as your predictions, US offers are not technically “conditional.” The offer you receive from a UK school that clearly indicates the lowest results they will accept is not a part of the US process. Of course, if you fail an exam, or your total points are substantially lower, there could be repercussions— including but not limited to—academic probation and being asked to take a gap year. However, if you do fall just a little short of your predictions—don’t worry! US schools will not pull your offer.

If you have any questions about how UK exam results may impact your US university application, please reach out to us! We are here to help.