A new study by the ֱ̽ of Cambridge has shown that very strong A Level performance is the key indicator of potential among its undergraduates and that this does not vary according to school or college background.
A new study by the ֱ̽ of Cambridge has shown that very strong A Level performance is the key indicator of potential among its undergraduates and that this does not vary according to school or college background.
Cambridge students from state and independent schools are equally likely to enjoy degree success.
ֱ̽study – ֱ̽Predictive Effectiveness of Metrics in Admission to Cambridge ֱ̽ – investigated which factors at admission provided the best indication of future undergraduate potential. A Levels and GCSEs, aptitude tests, school background and gender were all considered.
Study author, Richard Partington said the research had been carried out to ensure that Admissions Tutors were using the best information available to assist them in selecting undergraduates.
Mr Partington, the Senior Tutor of Churchill College and the Chair of the ֱ̽’s Admissions Research Working Party that oversaw the research, said: “ ֱ̽consistency of this study’s findings is striking.
“A Levels – as measured by unit scores or UMS – were overwhelmingly the best indicator available of likely future degree performance. ֱ̽one exception is for entry in Mathematics, where Cambridge Assessment’s STEP exam gave the best indicator of potential.
“School background and gender did not make a significant difference. Given the same UMS performance at admission, students from different schools and colleges were equally likely to perform well in Cambridge exams in the period 2006-2009.”
He added: “Admissions decisions are made on the basis of students’ ability, commitment and potential. While it’s important that we take background into account on a case-by-case basis as part of holistic assessment, this study confirms that we are right to place achievement in public examinations at the centre of our judgments.”
Mr Partington added that Cambridge’s conclusions were consistent with those reached by HEFCE in an important study in 2003.
“Like the HEFCE study, the Cambridge study found that the relationship between school or college background and degree performance was complex. Nonetheless A Level was a very good predictor of degree performance and, at the top end of A Level performance, there was no difference in degree potential between the state and independent sectors.
ֱ̽report has been made available to Admissions Tutors as part of the ֱ̽ of Cambridge’s commitment to admitting the best and the brightest students regardless of their background.
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