<p>A lot of contradictory advice here. The best thing to do is to go to Oxford’s or Cambridge’s websites – all the conditions (SAT etc) are very clear there.</p>
<p>And I know at least for Oxford that they really encourage people to apply – Motivation and intellectual potential are what they are looking for.</p>
<p>Believe me, it’s not as hard to get in as it looks. You’ll be surprised.</p>
<p>I second cupcake’s suggestion about “The Student Room” – it’s like College Confidential for the UK. A goldmine of information.</p>