When do I chose my GCSE courses and how many will I do?
Pupils choose their GCSE options towards the end of Year 9, to study in Year 10 and 11. In some schools, however, all or some GCSE syllabuses are studied over a three-year, rather than a two-year, period. Pupils at these secondaries will make their choices in Year 8. Most pupils study eight to 10 subjects.
What is the EBacc (English Baccalaureate)?
The EBacc is a set of subjects – English language and literature, maths, the sciences, geography or history and a language – that young people are encouraged to study at GCSE. Of those, English, maths and science are compulsory in England but at many schools, all Ebacc subjects are mandatory. Other secondaries are more flexible, for instance not insisting that all pupils study a language. At many church schools pupils have to take RE GCSE.
Will I study three separate sciences or double science (worth two GCSEs)?
Pupils will get input from their teacher whether they are suited to separate physics, chemistry and biology GCSEs or should do the double science GCSE instead. Top sets tend to do triple science, which has more content and can be more challenging. If you have plans to study any of the sciences at A-level, triple science might be advantageous but pupils with double science can go on to study science post-16.
Joana Costa de Oliveira, from east London, is studying triple science and finds it tough: “Personally the only science I really like is chemistry,” she said. “I struggle a bit with physics.”
Aside from EBacc subjects, what other subjects might I be able to take?
Most schools offer a choice of arts subjects – for instance drama, music and art. Other options might include design and technology, food and nutrition, computer science or statistics, and humanities subjects such as sociology, classical civilisation and psychology. Further maths and sports studies are also offered at some schools.
How important are GCSEs when applying to university?
Tucked away in admissions requirements on university websites are details of GCSE expectations. High grades are needed for subjects such as medicine or veterinary science, but many courses have some basic minimum requirements. Making the right GCSE choices is important for students who know what they wish to study later on or who have a career in mind. University College London, for instance, requires GCSE passes in English language and maths at grade 5 or higher, and some courses may ask for higher grades in these subjects. GCSE results help admissions teams whittle down applications to very competitive courses. If they need to choose between two applications, where predicted grades, personal statement and references are equally good, then the application with the slightly better GCSEs might have an edge.
I’m finding it hard to chose, what should I do?
Look at the GCSE syllabuses for the subjects you are considering (your teacher will be able to tell you what exam board the school uses); it may give you some clues and help you narrow down your choice.
"I think it’s a good idea for 13 and 14-year-olds to start looking and researching different subjects,” said 15 year old Joanna. “Information in the GCSE specification might spark something in you. Teachers telling you what it involves is not the same thing as you doing your own research."
According to classmate Sabrina Abukar, choosing a balance of subjects is the way forward.
"The choices you have are limited. Pick what you love but be well rounded,” said the teenager. “It’s a stage in life that is not as significant as A-levels. If you pick a range of subjects, creative and academic, you’ll find out your strengths and weaknesses and it will help give you direction in the future."
I’m very academic. Is it a waste to do an arts subject?
Taking a balance of subjects at GCSE can keep your options open. For Maya Abebe, choosing music GCSE was a slight rebellion.
"There can be a lot of pressure from parents; that you have to take computer science or sociology because it’s seen as better than art or music,” said the 15 year old. “But it’s okay to do something you enjoy and love. You’re going to be stuck with that subject for two years. You might think you have to pick this or that subject to fit the mould, but sometimes you have to break it. Your GCSEs are not make or break; they feed into making you more holistic as a person.”
Jack Boyton also recommends choosing something you enjoy. The teenager from east London is studying food technology because of his love of cooking.
“I’ve learnt to cook and bake almost my entire life and in Year 7 or 8, I was set on that being my career path, so I chose food tech as an option,” he said. “It’s no longer my chosen path, but I feel I’m learning valuable life skills and it’s still something I love.”
Should I choose the same subjects as my friends?
Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses and experts recommend pupils pursue their own individual paths at GCSE. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to pick subjects based on who else is doing it or whether one of your favourite teachers in running it,” advices Jack.
My school offers vocational qualification options alongside GCSEs. Should I take one?
Some schools offer BTEC qualifications in more practical subjects such as music, performing arts, sport and business or OCR Cambridge Nationals, available in a range of subjects including child development, engineering, ICT, and sport science. If you already have a good idea of what job or employment sector you want to go into, and want to start preparing for the world of work, vocational options can be a good choice. It’s important to note that vocational qualifications aren’t necessarily easier than GCSEs. They involve assessed assignments so require consistent hard work and some have final exams. Qualifications are graded as a pass, merit or distinction.
How are GCSEs graded?
Grading is on a scale of 9 to 1. Grades 7, 8 and 9 are equivalent to the old A/A*. Fewer students get a 9 compared with the proportion gaining A* under the previous system. Ofqual, the exam watchdog, says that the threshold for grade 7 is equivalent to that of an A grade. Achieving at least grades 5 or 6 is required to pursue A-levels at many schools and colleges. A grade 4 is equivalent to the lower end of the grade C.
Are these grades important for my next step?
It is likely that you will need certain grades to make sure you bag your choice of school sixth form, further education or sixth-form college. Most school sixth forms require GCSE grades of at least 4, 5 or 6 in English language and maths, with some expecting passes in five or six subjects. At super-selective sixth forms, such as those at grammar and independent schools, entry criteria can include at least five 9-7 GCSE grades. FE colleges and some sixth forms will take pupils who have missed their GCSE grade 4 in maths and English language but they will need to resit. Some independent schools may require applicants to sit a test. You should check school and college websites for their sixth form entry requirements.
If I don’t get the grades I want, can I do resits?
If you failed to gain a grade 4 in maths and/or English, the Government requires you to keep trying until you are 18. Schools and colleges will let you study these GCSEs alongside your post-16 qualifications. GCSEs can be retaken in the summer. There are also maths and English resits in November and January. Pupils who want to resit GCSEs to try to boost their grades in anticipation of applying to highly competitive degrees should check that the course accepts retakes. The medical schools at Sheffield University and the University of East Anglia, for instance, will accept a single resit per GCSE, for instance, while Lincoln University does not count resits.
