Taking extra GCSES

I did two extra GCSE's, and you don't have as much time as everyone else to learn the topics, so be prepared to put the extra work in! As soon as you know your stuff, go straight into exam questions - they will be your lifeline.

And if you want good grades in these subjects, you need to tailor your learning to YOUR specific exam board. Each exam board has slightly different mark schemes, so writing the same answer to the same question but on a different board could get you slightly different marks.
Weird and annoying, but true.

good luck

Hi, I've taken 14 GCSEs (the compulsory 11 and then Tamil, Further Maths and Latin) so I think I can share some tips. Make sure that you keep on top of things for your exams as you don't want to be having last-minute stress and thinking 'why did I even both taking this?'. As long as your organised, I'm sure that you will be fine. Good luck!

My advice.
Focus on the GCSE's that you want to do, and will benefit you in the long run.
Personally, I did 11 GCSE's (incl Maths and English) and they only really help in securing your A-Level choices.
Once you hit University, GCSE's play a very small part in enabling you to take a subject.
Any jobs after that, GCSE's are irrelevant. My CV literally just says '11 GCSE's ranging from B-D'.

Moral of the story, will these extra GCSE's really benefit you in your future career?
If yes, take them, but be prepared to put in more effort than your friends.
If no, then focus on the ones that do matter, and work towards that goal of securing a good education.

Qualifications are not the the only purpose of life - I'd not give yourself the hassle of more GCSEs unless you really need those specific subjects. By all means study Astronomy but you don't have to take a GCSE in it - no one is going to care if you have 10 or have 13 GCSEs. Don't sacrifice quality for quantity - universities would prefer you to get top grades in fewer subjects.

That said, if you are aiming to take 13 GCSEs then I'd try to get at least 1 done in Year 10. Your school may be prepared to let you sit them there (you may well have to pay the actual costs) but if not you'd have to find an alternative exam centre where you can sit them. Sitting exams at more than one exam centre is a nightmare if any of the exams clash and possibly not even achievable as you'd have to persuade one centre to escort you to the other, With 13 GCSEs in one exam season it is likely that some would.

Hi, I've taken 14 GCSEs (the compulsory 11 and then Tamil, Further Maths and Latin) so I think I can share some tips. Make sure that you keep on top of things for your exams as you don't want to be having last-minute stress and thinking 'why did I even both taking this?'. As long as your organised, I'm sure that you will be fine. Good luck!