Introduction to

ALIS Grades and to the

Expectations of Universities
 ALIS Grades
• YOUR expected grade at AS level based on
YOUR average GSCE points score

• ALIS grades are NOT predictions from your

teachers but they are expected grades
based on nationally produced data.

• They act as a guide and should be

treated as your minimum target grade
 Average GCSE Points Score
Each full GCSE grade you achieve is given points
(e.g. A*=8, A=7, B=6, C=5…..)

Other qualifications (e.g. GCSE short-course, Btecs) are not

counted

Points are added up and divided by the number of GCSEs

you took giving you an “average GCSE points score”
 Example:
Alisha has 10 GCSE results:

Subject Grade Score

Maths A* 8
Science B 6
Additional Science A 7
English B 6
English Literature B 6
Geography C 5
History A 7
Business Studies B 6
French C 5
Dance B 6
TOTAL SCORE 62
AVERAGE 6.2
 What is expected of Alisha?
7323 students who took AS Chemistry last year had an
average GCSE points score similar to Alisha’s of 6.2.
They achieved:

• 220 achieved an A grade (3%)

• 879 = B grade (12%)
• 1392 = C grade (19%) Alisha might
• 1757 = D grade (24%) prefer this
• 1611 = E grade (22%)
information
• 1391 = U grade (19%)
on a graph
 Alisha’s information for AS a chart
Average GCSE between 5.63 and 6.45
70 70
60 The average student achieves a D 60
percent 50 50
40 40
30 22 24 30
20 19 19 20
12
10 3 10
0 0
U E D C B A

The average student with the same GCSE points score as Alisha (or the average
Alisha) is expected to achieve a D grade in AS chemistry but Alisha can see that
students like her have achieved higher grades…or lower grades.

For example
Alisha has a 34% chance of achieving higher than a D grade (19% + 12% + 3%)

What can she do to achieve higher than the average student like her?
 An analysis for all your subjects
Students are given an analysis for all their subjects. Students can be expected to achieve
different grades in different subjects.
e.g. Students like Alisha perform differently in different A levels

Average GCSE between 5.63 and 6.45

AS Chemistry (A2) Drama And Theatre Studies
AS Drama
70 70 70 70
60
D grade 60 60
B grade 60
50 42 50

percent
50 50
percent

40 40 40 31 40
30 30 30 30
22 24 17
19 19 20 20
20
12
20
10
10 10
10 3 10 0 1
0 0
0 0
U E D C B A
U E D C B A

(A2)
AS Religious
ReligiousStudies
Studies
(A2) English Literature
AS English 70 70
70 70
60
C grade 60
60 C grade 60
50 50
50 50 40
percent
percent

40 36 34 40 40 31 40
30 30 30 30
20 15 13 20 20
11 15 20
10 2 10 10 2 10
0
0 0 0
0 0
U E D C B A U E D C B A
 What is the expected grade?
(A2)
AS Religious
Religious Studies
Studies
70 70
60
C grade 60
50 50
40
percent
40 31 40
30 30
20 11 15 20
10 2 10
0
0 0
U E D C B A

The expected grade (mean average = C ) is not necessarily the

most commonly achieved grade (modal average = B)

Example:
If I drive to school 5 times in a week and on 4 occasions it takes me 5 mins and on one
occasion it takes 60 mins then statistically my expected journey time is 16 mins !!

(5+5+5+5+60 = 80 mins 80/5= 16 mins)

Your ALIS Sheet for AS Levels
Your ALIS Sheet for A2 Levels

The ALIS grades for A2

maybe a grade higher
than the AS ALIS grades
 Last Year

960 AS level examinations were taken

268 grades lower than ALIS grades (28% below expectation)

325 grades equalled the ALIS grade (29% in-line with expectation)

367 grades higher than ALIS grades (43 % above expectation)

 Why do the ALIS grades seem low?
• Many students across the country do not appreciate the study requirements
and commitment needed for A Levels

• The average GCSE points score may not reveal a particular ability, skill or
enthusiasm for a subject
e.g. two A Level history students with an average GCSE points score of 6.2 but one
may have an A* in GCSE history, the other a C grade.

• These are NOT predictions. Predictions include current information from

teachers

• What can students do to perform more highly than similar students across the
country?
e.g. Going to lessons, doing homework and some revision is that ‘performing
more highly’ or is that ‘average’

• How can you out-perform the average you ??

 University Expectations

What are your expectations?

What are the expectations of universities?

What should you be doing now?

 Russell Group Universities
24 leading universities committed to the best research and teaching

Birmingham King’s – London Belfast

Bristol Leeds Sheffield
Cambridge Liverpool Southampton
Cardiff LSE – London UCL – London
Durham Manchester Warwick
Edinburgh Newcastle York
Exeter Nottingham
Glasgow Oxford
Imperial - London Queen Mary’s – London

Leading universities or an elitist, old fashioned group?

Is the concept of Russell Group Universities relevant for

young people today?
Unofficial Top 20 Ranked Universities
1. Cambridge The Complete University Guide 2015– The Guardian
2. Oxford
3. St Andrews
4. Bath
5. Imperial College London Top 20 UK Universities according to World
6. Surrey Ranking also include:
7. London School of Economics Bristol
8. Durham Cardiff
9. Warwick Glasgow
10. Lancaster Kings - London
11. UCL – London Leeds
12. Exeter Liverpool
13. Heriot Watt Nottingham
14. East Anglia Sheffield
15. Loughborough Southampton
16. York
17. Birmingham
These are unofficial rankings and
18. Edinburgh
19. Southampton are not subject specific.
20. Kent
 Universities

• Are university tables / rankings helpful?

• All universities offer opportunities for young

people.

• It’s a ‘good’ university if it offers the right

course for you
Example of Law Entry Requirements
(1) Cambridge A*, A, A
(3) UCL A*, A, A
(7) Nottingham A*, A, A
(21) Warwick A, A, A
(33) Sussex A, A, A

(27) Leicester A, A, B
(32) Liverpool A, B, B
(76) Kingston A, B, B

(54) Nottingham Trent B, B, C

(92) Northampton B, B, C
(98) Bedfordshire C, D, D
Example of History Entry Requirements
(1) Durham A*, A, A
(2) Cambridge A*, A, A
(6) Warwick A, A, A
(13) Leeds A, A, A

(21) Kent A, B, B
(18) Newcastle A, A, B
(53) Roehampton A, B, B

(60) Sunderland B, C, C
(90) Derby B, C, C
(-) Blackburn College C, D, D
Example of Psychology Entry Requirements
(1) Cambridge A*, A, A
(2) Oxford A*, A, A
(3) Bath A*,A, A
(6) St Andrews A, A, A
(16) York A, A, A

(31) Aston A, A, B
(43) Dundee B, B, B
(92) De Montfort B, B, B

(51) Coventry B, B, C
(97) London South Bank B, B, C
(108) Bolton B, B, C
Example of Media Entry Requirements

(-) York (Interactive Media ) A, A ,B

(5) Newcastle A, A, B
(8) Leicester A, B, B

(14) Westminster B, B, B
(65) Gloucestershire B, B, B
(60) London Metropolitan B, B, C
(58) Middlesex University B, C, C

(88) London South Bank C, C, C

(84) Buckinghamshire New C, D, D
 Will they make you an offer?
They will look at your:
• Predicted Grades
Your predicted grades are based on your AS level grades

• Your Online Application

GCSE grades, Personal Statement

• School Reference:
• Attitude to study and ability to learn
• Your interaction with staff and students
• Contribution to school
• Activities inside and outside of school
• Attendance and punctuality
 Advice and Suggestions
• Look at your Progress Report
Current Working Grade v ALIS grade

• Mock Examinations in January

These are vital to assess your progress and could form part
of your predicted grade

• 5 hours of extra study per subject a week?

• Do you make use of study periods?
• Are you making the most of this opportunity?
 What to look for?
Students’ Attitude to Study

LEVEL 3 - You look to demonstrate quality in all

work and you transform your notes
e.g. revision notes, diagrams , cards

LEVEL 2 - Make additional notes from other sources

and most evenings spending some time
looking at some school work

LEVEL 1 - You do homework and attend lessons

 What to look for?
Revision Techniques
LEVEL 3 You use mark schemes and examiners’
reports. You seek help when you are unsure either
from teacher or from further research

LEVEL 2 You add to their revision notes and

answer hard past questions. You continually practise

LEVEL 1 You read their notes and answer past

questions
 Key Dates

19th December 2014 – Progress Checks sent home

12th - 16th January 2015 - Mock Exam Period

12th February 2015 - Parents’ Evening

21st April 2014 – Higher Education Evening