Over half of university applicants miss predicted grades

Just over half of English 18 year-olds applying to go to university missed their predicted A-level grades by two or more grades, according to analysis from UCAS.

UCAS looked at the predictions and results for 600,000 English 18 year old applicants between 2010 and 2015 with three or more A levels and found that the number missing their predicted grades by two or more grades was 34 per cent higher in 2015 compared to 2010.

It also found that pupils from disadvantaged areas and ethnic minorities were more likely to miss their predicted grades. Nearly 59 per cent of pupils from the most disadvantaged areas missed their predicted grades, compared to around 48 per cent of students from the most affluent areas.

Additionally, black pupils were found to be 33 per cent more likely to miss their predicted grades compared to white pupils.

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