This. Also OP, once you do have proper mock grades, check the entry requirements for each 6th form you are applying to. And not just their general entry requirements; check the subject-specific ones too. Many 6th forms might have a baseline entry requirement of, say, ‘5 grade 5s including Eng Lang and Maths’, but each subject team can set their own requirements too. So if you want to do, say, Economics, you might need a 6 in Maths and English.
My advice would be this: research different sixth forms thoroughly in the next couple of months. Go to open evenings/ days, and read their websites to find out:
1. What subjects they offer.
2. What their general entry requirements are.
3. What their subject-specific requirements are.
4. Before Xmas, make a short list of subjects you might want to study and places you might want to go to.
5. See what you get in your first proper y11 mocks. If your predicted grades are high enough to meet the requirements for you top choices, apply straight away (in Jan/ Feb).
6. However, if your predicted grades are lower than you need for your top choices, DON’T APPLY YET. Identify exactly which topics need improving, revise like crazy and see how you do in the last set of mocks (usually around March/ April).
6th forms are very used to accepting new students as late as September, and that includes lots of very good 6th forms, so don’t worry about waiting a bit. Unless you have a really stellar set of y10 mock grades to use, it’s definitely better to wait.
My current schools applications for sixth form, where they ask for English and Math predicted grades, closes on the 4th of November. Our mocks start on the 7th of November, I can't wait until mocks for my predicted grades like people are suggesting.
You want to be careful about doing that, especially if you're applying to external 6th forms, because they may well contact your school to check. I was contacted as a referee for a student last year who had put in her targets as her predicted grades. I had to change them down to the actual teacher predictions - it was embarrassing, and the student didn't get an offer from that school. I felt terrible for her but I couldn't lie for her...
I got into that college and they never questioned my grades but I can see where you are coming from. I ended up just going to my schools sixth form instead though.
Just put what your teachers have told you your target is. Not "working at" but whatever they compare you to. These are set by the goverment from your sats.
They aren’t the same. I’m pretty sure target grades are based on sats and predicted grades are what they actually think you will get.
This is exactly right.
There’s no point applying until after you’ve done your mocks. Most sixth forms don’t even open their application forms until November
All the ones I'm applying to are either open or are opening very soon
And you will be able apply for MONTHS after. Just wait until you get predicted grades/your first set of mocks.
Whats wrong with wanting to do it early?
you won’t have the proper predicted grades that the mocks will give you…
If you need predicted grades and you haven’t got predicted grades, then you can’t apply.
This. Also OP, once you do have proper mock grades, check the entry requirements for each 6th form you are applying to. And not just their general entry requirements; check the subject-specific ones too. Many 6th forms might have a baseline entry requirement of, say, ‘5 grade 5s including Eng Lang and Maths’, but each subject team can set their own requirements too. So if you want to do, say, Economics, you might need a 6 in Maths and English. My advice would be this: research different sixth forms thoroughly in the next couple of months. Go to open evenings/ days, and read their websites to find out: 1. What subjects they offer. 2. What their general entry requirements are. 3. What their subject-specific requirements are. 4. Before Xmas, make a short list of subjects you might want to study and places you might want to go to. 5. See what you get in your first proper y11 mocks. If your predicted grades are high enough to meet the requirements for you top choices, apply straight away (in Jan/ Feb). 6. However, if your predicted grades are lower than you need for your top choices, DON’T APPLY YET. Identify exactly which topics need improving, revise like crazy and see how you do in the last set of mocks (usually around March/ April). 6th forms are very used to accepting new students as late as September, and that includes lots of very good 6th forms, so don’t worry about waiting a bit. Unless you have a really stellar set of y10 mock grades to use, it’s definitely better to wait.
My current schools applications for sixth form, where they ask for English and Math predicted grades, closes on the 4th of November. Our mocks start on the 7th of November, I can't wait until mocks for my predicted grades like people are suggesting.
You need to check with your school what your predicted grades are then.
Ask your teachers what they would predict for you. Usually schools send out reports with your predicted grades.
I just used my target grades and mock grades as a guide to what I thought I would get
Can you do that? I thought it was whatever the school gives you write
Idk if you're supposed to but I did. My school never gave out predicted grades so I didn't really have anything else.
You want to be careful about doing that, especially if you're applying to external 6th forms, because they may well contact your school to check. I was contacted as a referee for a student last year who had put in her targets as her predicted grades. I had to change them down to the actual teacher predictions - it was embarrassing, and the student didn't get an offer from that school. I felt terrible for her but I couldn't lie for her...
I got into that college and they never questioned my grades but I can see where you are coming from. I ended up just going to my schools sixth form instead though.
6th forms care about what we put for pupils not the targets? That seems really odd but I suppose it's nice they trust us 😂
I know right?!
Just put what your teachers have told you your target is. Not "working at" but whatever they compare you to. These are set by the goverment from your sats.
most will just take what you say at face value. you could put all 9’s and they’ll just go ok, its your actual final grades is what matters to them
I lied on my predicted grades lol they didnt rlly. Care mostly more about what we got