Choosing GCSE options

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CONTENTS

Which subjects are compulsory at GCSE?

What GCSE options are there?

How to choose GCSEs

How many subjects do you have to take for GCSE?

When do you choose your GCSEs?

Can you change your GCSE options?

Which subjects are compulsory at GCSE?

You must take GCSEs in English, maths and science. English language is compulsory in all schools while English literature is compulsory in most schools. Your science GCSE can either be split individually into physics, biology and chemistry, or you can take two combined science GCSEs. Students in Wales will have to take a GCSE in Welsh language.

Most university courses will ask for English and maths as a prerequisite for entry. They’ll typically want you to have achieved a minimum grade of C/4. Many science courses will also ask for a science GCSE, with at least a C/4 or a B/6.

What GCSE options are there?

You’ll have many subjects to choose from when deciding on your other GCSEs. What these subjects are will depend on what your school offers. The main subject areas include:

Arts (such as art and design, drama and media studies)

Design and technology (such as computer science, design and technology, and food technology)

Humanities (such as history, geography and religious studies)

Modern foreign languages (such as French, German, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish)

Some schools also offer PE as a GCSE subject.

How to choose GCSEs

The following tips will help you to choose your GCSEs:

Attend school events: if your school is holding any events about your GCSE options, go along with your parents or guardians. You’ll see what GCSE options your school offers and have the chance to learn more about any you’re interested in.

Talk to your parents and teachers: you don’t need to make the decision on your own. Get advice from your parents, guardians and teachers as they have your best interests at heart.

Don’t follow your friends: deciding what GCSEs to take is your decision. It’ll affect how you choose your A-Levels and later your uni course.

Look at assessment: not every course will be assessed in the same way. Maybe you perform better in coursework than in exams? Be aware of how each GCSE subject will be assessed.

Think about your A-Levels: many A-Levels will require you to have taken the same subject as a GCSE option. Consider what A-Levels you might take in the future and check whether the same subject at GCSE level is required.

Think about university: if you already know what you want to study, check the entry requirements for that course to see whether any GCSEs are required as a prerequisite.

Ask yourself what you enjoy: think about the subjects you love and what you’re good at. You’ll work harder at something you enjoy.

How many subjects do you have to take for GCSE?

You can expect to take around 7 to 9 GCSE subjects. This can vary depending on what school you go to, so be sure to check this before deciding on your GCSEs. Bear in mind that many universities will ask that you have taken at least 5 GCSE subjects to be accepted onto any of their courses.

When do you choose your GCSEs?

You’ll typically choose your GCSEs while in Year 9. In some schools, you may choose your GCSEs as early as Year 8.

Can you change your GCSE options?

Yes, you can usually change your GCSE options early on if you want to switch to a different subject. But this will depend on your school. Before making any changes, make sure that the subject you want to swap to won’t clash with any of your other GCSE options. If you already have an idea of what A-Levels or university course you want to take, be sure you aren’t dropping a necessary subject.

Header image: Photo by Annika Gordon on Unsplash

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