Should You Rely on Teacher Predictions for A-Levels?
As the A-Level exams approach, one question starts to circulate among students — especially those feeling behind:
“Can I rely on my teacher’s predicted grade?”
It’s tempting to believe that a good predicted grade is a safety net.
But is it wise to count on it?
Should it influence how you revise in the final weeks?
Here’s a clear look at how A-Level teacher predictions work — and why they’re helpful, but never enough.
What Are Teacher Predicted Grades?
Teachers assign predicted grades based on:
- Mock exam performance
- Coursework (e.g., NEA components)
- Class participation, attitude, and effort
- Internal assessments over Year 12 and Year 13
These grades are submitted to universities via UCAS, and are also referenced during appeal processes or disruption (like in 2020–21).
But they are not guarantees, and they are not used by exam boards to adjust your final results.
Why Predicted Grades Can Be Misleading
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Teachers may over- or under-predict
Some predict optimistically to support a UCAS application. Others may be conservative, especially for borderline students.
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They’re often based on incomplete evidence
Mock exams vary wildly between schools. Internal assessments rarely reflect final exam conditions.
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They don’t account for final exam variability
Some students improve drastically in the last month. Others decline under pressure. Predictions can’t anticipate this.
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They hold no influence over your exam marking
A top predicted grade does not “pull up” a weak paper. Examiners never see your predicted grade.
So… Should You Rely on Them?
No — but you shouldn’t ignore them either.
Instead:
- Use them as a benchmark — are you currently on track?
- Use them to identify where the gap is between your current ability and your target
- Don’t let a low prediction define your effort — many students outperform predictions every year
Predictions are information. Not destiny.
What You Can Control Right Now
Rather than banking on a prediction, ask:
“What can I do this week to move my actual result closer to that grade?”
You can:
- Practice high-weighted topics with predictive papers
- Improve exam technique with timed mock questions
- Target grade boundaries (e.g., aiming to go from a B to an A)
Your grade isn’t predicted. It’s earned — question by question.
Predictive Papers = Smart Final Push
Predict Exam’s A-Level predictive papers are designed to:
- Match real Paper 1, 2, and 3 difficulty
- Prioritize syllabus-aligned content that matters most
- Improve your ability to earn marks where it counts
If you want to outperform your prediction — this is the most strategic place to start.
Conclusion: Use Predictions, But Don’t Rely on Them
Predicted grades can guide your planning. But they don’t define your outcome.
To finish strong:
- Be realistic about your current level
- Focus on what you can still improve
- Practice smarter — not harder
Explore Predict Exam’s A-Level Predictive Papers and close the gap between predicted and actual success.