What’s the point of predicted grades?

Despite having two sons go through the UK secondary school system, and having written about education for 25 years, I still cannot get my head around the benefits of the predicted grades system. 

Of course in Canada, where I grew up, there is nothing like the number of applicants to higher education, making “actual grades” that much easier to produce and assess. However, in the USA, where there are many more than in the UK, they have managed to create a system that focuses on the reality of a student’s ability and achievement.

A recent study found that only 48 per cent of A level predictions are correct, and 10 per cent are out by more than one grade. The majority of inaccuracies were over-predictions, and herein lies the problem. Predicted grades are used by universities to assess suitable candidates. While universities like Oxbridge have further assessment criteria, including aptitude tests, interview performance, teacher references etc, the vast majority rely on predicted grades alone.