Guidance needed for NUS CS Application: Non-actual A-Level results & Standardised Test Requirements
Hi everyone,
My son is currently in the 11th grade and planning to apply for Computer Science at NUS next year. He is taking the UK A-Levels (Edexcel).
Here is our dilemma: Due to the application timelines, the NUS deadline will close before his final 12th-grade A-Level exams are taken and actual results are released.
According to the NUS admissions booklet, "Applicants without actual results must submit standardised test scores for admissions consideration." When looking at the standardised test requirements document, it presents three combinations:
- At least 5 AP Courses
- ACT with Writing AND at least 3 AP Courses
- SAT AND at least 3 AP Courses
Since he is already in the A-Level track, it feels incredibly redundant and heavy to study for SAT/ACT plus multiple AP courses alongside his ongoing A-Level curriculum just to meet the early deadline requirement.
My son suggests that taking a Gap Year and applying the following year with his actual/final A-Level scores makes much more sense and avoids this massive overlapping workload.
- Is it common for international A-Level students (without final results by deadline) to take a Gap Year for NUS?
- Does NUS strictly require these AP combinations for A-Level students who only have predicted grades at the time of application, or is there an alternative pathway we are missing?
- Given how competitive NUS Computer Science is, would applying with actual A-Level results during a gap year put him at a better advantage?
Thanks for your insights!