I think because there’s a lot of uncertainty as to how A levels are going to be assessed this year and is there going to be as much grade inflation as last year, so they can’t rely on the usual statistical number not meting the offer, but they literally have no idea how many will. I don’t believe Oxford has done the same, but they don’t over offer in the same way.
The student I know with a Cambridge offer (for NatSci) is on tenterhooks, as the exam structure that his offer is based on is (like so many) up in the air. Will the exams be held? if so, under what conditions? will the marking be as wonky as last years?
I sympathize with the universities- they are in very choppy waters- but I feel for the students who have worked for years to be ready to clear this first serious hurdle into leaving kid-dom and setting up a path into adult life.
Agree on both counts. I think the unis got burned last year with the grades fiasco. It’s awful for the students though too - plus if they miss out on a lot of teaching this year, even if they get A*s all round are they going to be fully prepared for the next stage?