Expert Insights

Can I Change My Predicted Grades?

Published 5th December 2025 by Alastair

For many students, predicted grades form the academic foundation of a UCAS application and help universities assess potential long before final exam results are released. Although predicted grades can feel like a single moment in time, their influence reaches far beyond your school’s internal assessment. Understanding how they work and how universities interpret them is an important step for any student preparing for the next stage of their education.

At Ivy Education, we support students across the full UCAS journey, including navigating predicted grades, subject choices and long-term academic strategy. Below, we explain how predicted grades are used, why they matter and what students can do if their predictions do not reflect their true potential.

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Before we begin...

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What Are Predicted Grades?

Predicted grades are your teachers’ best estimates of what you are likely to achieve in your A level or IB examinations at the end of Year 13. Schools draw on a range of evidence, including:

Classwork and homework
Assessments and mock exams
Class participation and consistency
Progress over time
Coursework or internally assessed components

These predictions aim to reflect your long-term trajectory rather than a single test result. For university admissions, predicted grades give institutions an early indication of your academic capability and the likelihood of meeting their entry requirements.

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Why Predicted Grades Matter

Predicted grades matter because universities in the UK make most of their decisions before final exam results exist. Offers are therefore conditional on the assumption that students will meet, or closely meet, their predicted performance.

1. Entry Requirements and Course Competitiveness

Universities use predicted grades to determine whether applicants meet the academic threshold for a particular course. Competitive degrees such as Medicine, Law, Economics and Engineering often set high grade expectations, so strong predictions can significantly strengthen an application.

2. Differentiating Applicants

When courses receive more applicants than available places (which is the norm for popular degrees), predicted grades help admissions teams distinguish between academically similar candidates. They are not the only factor, but they are among the most important.

3. Determining Offer Levels

The majority of students receive conditional offers based on their predicted grades. For example, if your predicted grades exceed a university’s standard requirements, you may receive a slightly lower conditional offer. Conversely, if your predicted grades are at the minimum level, the offer may match the standard requirement exactly.

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How Do Universities View Predicted Grades?

Universities understand that predicted grades are estimates rather than guarantees; however, they generally rely on them with a degree of trust. They consistently track prediction accuracy across different schools and qualifications, which means:

Predictions from schools with historically accurate forecasting may be viewed more confidently.
Overly optimistic predictions may attract greater scrutiny.
Realistic and evidence-based predictions carry the most weight.

Some universities also consider the wider context, including school performance data, subject difficulty, references and personal statements.

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What If Predicted Grades Do Not Reflect Your Potential

Many students feel their predicted grades are lower than they could achieve. While schools must base predictions on evidence, students do have options:

Have a constructive conversation with your teachers

Share recent work, assessments or progress that may not have been fully considered. Teachers are often open to reviewing predictions if there is strong evidence of improvement.

Strengthen your portfolio in other areas

A compelling personal statement, strong references and evidence of academic engagement outside the classroom can help strengthen an application even if predictions fall slightly below your expectations.

Apply strategically

Consider a balanced list of universities with a mix of aspirational, realistic and safe choices. Ivy Education can help you select a range of courses that align with your potential and long-term goals.

Use exams to your advantage

Your final grades can exceed your predictions. If you outperform your conditional offers, Clearing or Adjustment-style processes (or reapplication the following year) can create new opportunities.

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Do Predicted Grades Ever Change Offers?

Yes. If predicted grades are unusually high in a given year or a subject becomes particularly competitive, universities may raise their standard offer levels. Conversely, during years of lower applicant volume, universities sometimes make more flexible offers or admit more students who slightly miss their predictions.

It is important to remember that predicted grades are just one factor among many. Universities consider personal statements, references, interviews (where relevant), admissions tests and contextual data when making a final decision.

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How Students Can Influence Their Predicted Grades

While you cannot directly control the numbers, you can influence them through:

Consistent effort across Year 12
Strong performance in mock exams
Demonstrating improvement and engagement
Seeking timely academic support when needed

Working with a tutor can help strengthen understanding, improve exam technique and build confidence in weaker areas. This often leads to a clearer upward trajectory, which teachers take into account when forming predictions.

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Conclusion

Predicted grades are an important part of the UCAS process, shaping university offers and guiding admissions teams as they assess academic potential. While they are not the final word, they do influence the initial phase of decision-making, which is why thoughtful preparation during Year 12 is so valuable.

If you would like support in improving performance, strengthening UCAS applications or building confidence in specific subjects, Ivy Education’s experienced tutors and consultants can provide personalised guidance.

Get in touch with Ivy Education to begin planning your university application with confidence

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FAQs

Predicted grades are usually set early in Year 13, often after the first set of autumn assessments. Some schools provide working predictions in Year 12, but the official UCAS predictions are submitted at the start of the application cycle.

Yes, you can have a polite and constructive conversation with your teachers if you feel your predictions do not reflect your true ability. Any change, however, must be based on clear evidence of progress, such as recent assessments or consistently improved work.

Accuracy varies between schools and subjects. Universities are aware of these variations and often track long-term patterns. Predictions are meant to be realistic and evidence based, but they are not always precise.

Yes. If your predicted grades are above the standard entry requirements, universities may sometimes make a slightly lower conditional offer. This is more common in less competitive subjects or when your application is strong in other areas.

You still have options. You can apply strategically to a range of universities, strengthen other parts of your application or discuss your academic trajectory with your teachers. You may also consider reapplying after your final grades if you outperform your predictions.

Predicted grades do not directly affect your performance in tests or interviews, but they can influence whether you receive an invitation. Strong predictions can help secure an interview or eligibility for subject specific admissions assessments.

Universities make offers based on the conditions set out in the UCAS offer. Some may show flexibility if you narrowly miss your grades, especially in less competitive courses or if the cohort size allows. Others remain strict. If you exceed your predictions, additional opportunities may open through Clearing.

Yes. Ivy Education’s tutors can help strengthen subject understanding, improve exam technique and support students in demonstrating the progress that teachers look for when forming predictions. Our consultants can also advise on UCAS strategy if your predictions change.