Choosing your GCSEs

You have the opportunity in Year 10 to make important decisions about your education which will influence what you do in the future. You will have to choose subjects to study during Years 11 and 12.

Subjects

When choosing your subjects:

• choose subjects you enjoy
• consider which subjects you're good at
• think about jobs which you might be interested in and what subjects they may require
• if you are considering a science career you will need at least Double award science
• research the subjects you haven't studied before. Make sure you find out what is involved by talking to the subject teacher
• talk to your teachers, family and Careers Adviser for advice

If you decide to study science there are different options available:

• Single award science (a combination of all three sciences = 1 GCSE)
• Double award science (a combination of all three sciences = 2 GCSEs)
• Triple Award science (All three, physics, chemistry and biology = 3 separate GCSEs)

Qualifications

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). GCSEs are the main qualifications available to you. They are usually assessed by a mixture of coursework and examinations.

• applied GCSEs are directly linked to the world of work and tend to be more practical
• short course GCSEs cover only half the content of a full GCSE and each one counts as half a GCSE
• entry level qualifications will help you build your basic knowledge and skills
• essential skills are practical skills to help you gain the most out of life at home and at work
• occupational studies will provide you with an opportunity to learn and develop practical work related skills which may be offered in your further education college