Here’s the good news: this decision is remarkably easy!
Several of your subject choices, like English, Maths and Science, are made for you. This is because
the government requires you to study those subjects up to the age of 16.
Beyond that (and this may not apply to you), know what you want to do later on. Really, there are
only two – possibly only one – courses of study for later which decide what you do at GCSE. These
are:
1. Medicine
2. Architecture
I’ll explain: if you think you will (or that you might) study medicine, you need to study Sciences to the
highest level your school offers up to GCSE so you can take at least two sciences at A Level.
Similarly, though not as strictly, if you think you will (or that you might) study Architecture, you also
need to study Sciences to the highest level your school offers up to GCSE. The most useful science
for Architecture is Physics. If your school offers single subject Physics at GCSE, take it and work as
hard as you can for it if you think you might want to study Architecture later.
Apart from that kind of future subject planning, GCSE subject choices are remarkably easy.
The first and last principle is: choose the subjects you enjoy. After all, you will be studying those
subjects for two years and many, many lessons. So you might as well be interested in the subject.
Here are a couple of ‘do-nots’ though, with explanations!
Do not choose a subject because you think it will be ‘easy’. A subject which you don’t find engaging
or enjoyable is never, ever interesting.
Do not choose a subject just because your friends are doing it. Much as you love them, your friends
are not you! They have different tastes, likes and dislikes. You will still see them in school, whichever
subjects you choose. Be true to yourself. Choose the subjects YOU like!
Do not choose a subject just because you like the teacher you have at the moment. A good
relationship with a teacher is a wonderful thing. However, schools and teachers change. Your
beloved teacher may move to another school half way through the GCSE course. However, if you
choose a subject because you find it interesting, that won’t change, even if the teacher does!
Finally, remember that Britain is one of only a few countries in the world which makes its students
take public examinations at age 16 and age 18. You should enjoy your GCSEs but they are not the
final passport to higher education and other opportunities. That comes at 18. And the even better
news is that when you take your exams at 18, you’ll already have been through some great
preparation with GCSE at age 16!
Written by Grace Gamble
English and Drama Teacher, Sixth Form Tutor and Former Head Teacher.