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Desperately need helping picking GCSE options
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vivinotta
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#1
Hi. I have to choose my GCSE options by the 26th of March (I believe). I'm really stuck but I've narrowed it down to a selection of subjects and was wondering if any of you guys could give your opinions on a good combination and/or if you took it/are taking it your opinion and is it worth it.
I get 9 options (10 if you get chosen for stats or another one but I'm second set maths so idk whether I'd get that). I have to do English Lit, English Lang and Maths. I've decided to do triple science for definite so I have 3 spaces left.
The subjects I have sort of narrowed it down to (out of like 20 subjects) are:
-AQA History
-OCR Business
-BTEC Health and Social Care
-AQA Music
-AQA Religious Studies
-AQA Art Graphic Design
-OCR Computer Science
I know that's quite a few options but I wanted to include the exam boards so if anyone has taken it they can say whether it's worth it. If anyone can suggest a combination of 3 I would be SO grateful as I am so stuck.
Just as a note, is it best to stick to one subject that is more of an arty type and have two other ones? Like I was thinking of doing one of Health & Social Care, Art Graphic Design or Music but not all of them.
As far as it goes my teachers have said that I'd be aiming for top grades in all of them if I carry on working the way I do and I enjoy most of them equally so I'm sort of stuck there.
If you've got this far, thank you so much for reading!
I get 9 options (10 if you get chosen for stats or another one but I'm second set maths so idk whether I'd get that). I have to do English Lit, English Lang and Maths. I've decided to do triple science for definite so I have 3 spaces left.
The subjects I have sort of narrowed it down to (out of like 20 subjects) are:
-AQA History
-OCR Business
-BTEC Health and Social Care
-AQA Music
-AQA Religious Studies
-AQA Art Graphic Design
-OCR Computer Science
I know that's quite a few options but I wanted to include the exam boards so if anyone has taken it they can say whether it's worth it. If anyone can suggest a combination of 3 I would be SO grateful as I am so stuck.
Just as a note, is it best to stick to one subject that is more of an arty type and have two other ones? Like I was thinking of doing one of Health & Social Care, Art Graphic Design or Music but not all of them.
As far as it goes my teachers have said that I'd be aiming for top grades in all of them if I carry on working the way I do and I enjoy most of them equally so I'm sort of stuck there.
If you've got this far, thank you so much for reading!
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Jordan07
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#2
(Original post by vivinotta)
Hi. I have to choose my GCSE options by the 26th of March (I believe). I'm really stuck but I've narrowed it down to a selection of subjects and was wondering if any of you guys could give your opinions on a good combination and/or if you took it/are taking it your opinion and is it worth it.
I get 9 options (10 if you get chosen for stats or another one but I'm second set maths so idk whether I'd get that). I have to do English Lit, English Lang and Maths. I've decided to do triple science for definite so I have 3 spaces left.
The subjects I have sort of narrowed it down to (out of like 20 subjects) are:
-AQA History
-OCR Business
-BTEC Health and Social Care
-AQA Music
-AQA Religious Studies
-AQA Art Graphic Design
-OCR Computer Science
I know that's quite a few options but I wanted to include the exam boards so if anyone has taken it they can say whether it's worth it. If anyone can suggest a combination of 3 I would be SO grateful as I am so stuck.
Just as a note, is it best to stick to one subject that is more of an arty type and have two other ones? Like I was thinking of doing one of Health & Social Care, Art Graphic Design or Music but not all of them.
As far as it goes my teachers have said that I'd be aiming for top grades in all of them if I carry on working the way I do and I enjoy most of them equally so I'm sort of stuck there.
If you've got this far, thank you so much for reading!
Hi. I have to choose my GCSE options by the 26th of March (I believe). I'm really stuck but I've narrowed it down to a selection of subjects and was wondering if any of you guys could give your opinions on a good combination and/or if you took it/are taking it your opinion and is it worth it.
I get 9 options (10 if you get chosen for stats or another one but I'm second set maths so idk whether I'd get that). I have to do English Lit, English Lang and Maths. I've decided to do triple science for definite so I have 3 spaces left.
The subjects I have sort of narrowed it down to (out of like 20 subjects) are:
-AQA History
-OCR Business
-BTEC Health and Social Care
-AQA Music
-AQA Religious Studies
-AQA Art Graphic Design
-OCR Computer Science
I know that's quite a few options but I wanted to include the exam boards so if anyone has taken it they can say whether it's worth it. If anyone can suggest a combination of 3 I would be SO grateful as I am so stuck.
Just as a note, is it best to stick to one subject that is more of an arty type and have two other ones? Like I was thinking of doing one of Health & Social Care, Art Graphic Design or Music but not all of them.
As far as it goes my teachers have said that I'd be aiming for top grades in all of them if I carry on working the way I do and I enjoy most of them equally so I'm sort of stuck there.
If you've got this far, thank you so much for reading!
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vivinotta
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#3
(Original post by Jordan07)
I’m choosing my GCSEs at the moment, too! You should pick what you’d enjoy most. Speak to the teachers and get more information about them! At the end of the day, a GCSE is a GCSE, there is no wrong decision or bad GCSE. Have fun with it and choose the ones you like the sound of most! Good luck with it all and I hope I have helped.
I’m choosing my GCSEs at the moment, too! You should pick what you’d enjoy most. Speak to the teachers and get more information about them! At the end of the day, a GCSE is a GCSE, there is no wrong decision or bad GCSE. Have fun with it and choose the ones you like the sound of most! Good luck with it all and I hope I have helped.
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mayasupportBLM
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#4
(Original post by Jordan07)
I’m choosing my GCSEs at the moment, too! You should pick what you’d enjoy most. Speak to the teachers and get more information about them! At the end of the day, a GCSE is a GCSE, there is no wrong decision or bad GCSE. Have fun with it and choose the ones you like the sound of most! Good luck with it all and I hope I have helped.
I’m choosing my GCSEs at the moment, too! You should pick what you’d enjoy most. Speak to the teachers and get more information about them! At the end of the day, a GCSE is a GCSE, there is no wrong decision or bad GCSE. Have fun with it and choose the ones you like the sound of most! Good luck with it all and I hope I have helped.
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litan
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#5
Do not stress about picking your GCSEs, I struggled as well, having been living in America/Japan most of my life, where they take a broader approach. I actually hated the fact that I had to choose only 4 subjects so much that, in retaliation, I took music, drama, French and geography which were all subjects I had never learned before, except for geography, even though the teachers were trying to push me towards separate science, history, etc. Now, for A-Level I am taking biology, chemistry and maths, and hold an offer for Human Sciences at UCL. GCSEs really don't matter, and I had SO much fun with the subjects I took. Please go for subjects you like, and all the teachers will try to convince you to take their subject, so ultimately, listen to yourself. As long as you like the subjects, you can push yourself to study more and get good grades, and it will be more rewarding. I hope this helped, try not to stress about it too much!
Last edited by litan; 1 year ago
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Kabzzzy
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#6
Honestly, I would not overcomplicate it. Just pick the subjects you enjoy the most. Naturally, it'll be a lot easier for you to get higher grades in subjects you're interested in. As long as Maths, English and the core Sciences are covered, do what you want. Save the stressing for when you choose your A-levels (or IB) as those will directly impact University courses.
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AveriNova
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#7
(Original post by vivinotta)
Hi. I have to choose my GCSE options by the 26th of March (I believe). I'm really stuck but I've narrowed it down to a selection of subjects and was wondering if any of you guys could give your opinions on a good combination and/or if you took it/are taking it your opinion and is it worth it.
I get 9 options (10 if you get chosen for stats or another one but I'm second set maths so idk whether I'd get that). I have to do English Lit, English Lang and Maths. I've decided to do triple science for definite so I have 3 spaces left.
The subjects I have sort of narrowed it down to (out of like 20 subjects) are:
-AQA History
-OCR Business
-BTEC Health and Social Care
-AQA Music
-AQA Religious Studies
-AQA Art Graphic Design
-OCR Computer Science
I know that's quite a few options but I wanted to include the exam boards so if anyone has taken it they can say whether it's worth it. If anyone can suggest a combination of 3 I would be SO grateful as I am so stuck.
Just as a note, is it best to stick to one subject that is more of an arty type and have two other ones? Like I was thinking of doing one of Health & Social Care, Art Graphic Design or Music but not all of them.
As far as it goes my teachers have said that I'd be aiming for top grades in all of them if I carry on working the way I do and I enjoy most of them equally so I'm sort of stuck there.
If you've got this far, thank you so much for reading!
Hi. I have to choose my GCSE options by the 26th of March (I believe). I'm really stuck but I've narrowed it down to a selection of subjects and was wondering if any of you guys could give your opinions on a good combination and/or if you took it/are taking it your opinion and is it worth it.
I get 9 options (10 if you get chosen for stats or another one but I'm second set maths so idk whether I'd get that). I have to do English Lit, English Lang and Maths. I've decided to do triple science for definite so I have 3 spaces left.
The subjects I have sort of narrowed it down to (out of like 20 subjects) are:
-AQA History
-OCR Business
-BTEC Health and Social Care
-AQA Music
-AQA Religious Studies
-AQA Art Graphic Design
-OCR Computer Science
I know that's quite a few options but I wanted to include the exam boards so if anyone has taken it they can say whether it's worth it. If anyone can suggest a combination of 3 I would be SO grateful as I am so stuck.
Just as a note, is it best to stick to one subject that is more of an arty type and have two other ones? Like I was thinking of doing one of Health & Social Care, Art Graphic Design or Music but not all of them.
As far as it goes my teachers have said that I'd be aiming for top grades in all of them if I carry on working the way I do and I enjoy most of them equally so I'm sort of stuck there.
If you've got this far, thank you so much for reading!
For the third I haven't taken any of the other subjects but I would either recommend the Btec as that will be mostly coursework so less pressure for exam season or graphic design it just seems fun lol
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vivinotta
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#8
(Original post by AveriNova)
I recommend Business and Religious studies definitely as they're easy memorisation subjects, probably some of the easiest GCSEs you could take. I took both, same boards and got a 7 in Business and an 8 in RS with a medium amount of revision
For the third I haven't taken any of the other subjects but I would either recommend the Btec as that will be mostly coursework so less pressure for exam season or graphic design it just seems fun lol
I recommend Business and Religious studies definitely as they're easy memorisation subjects, probably some of the easiest GCSEs you could take. I took both, same boards and got a 7 in Business and an 8 in RS with a medium amount of revision
For the third I haven't taken any of the other subjects but I would either recommend the Btec as that will be mostly coursework so less pressure for exam season or graphic design it just seems fun lol
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VeritySleeps
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#9
Can't comment on the others but I wouldn't recommend doing a GCSE in music. You probably won't learn as much as you'd hope and so many people take it just for a "free" period, it becomes pointless
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vivinotta
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#10
(Original post by litan)
Do not stress about picking your GCSEs, I struggled as well, having been living in America/Japan most of my life, where they take a broader approach. I actually hated the fact that I had to choose only 4 subjects so much that, in retaliation, I took music, drama, French and geography which were all subjects I had never learned before, except for geography, even though the teachers were trying to push me towards separate science, history, etc. Now, for A-Level I am taking biology, chemistry and maths, and hold an offer for Human Sciences at UCL. GCSEs really don't matter, and I had SO much fun with the subjects I took. Please go for subjects you like, and all the teachers will try to convince you to take their subject, so ultimately, listen to yourself. As long as you like the subjects, you can push yourself to study more and get good grades, and it will be more rewarding. I hope this helped, try not to stress about it too much!
Do not stress about picking your GCSEs, I struggled as well, having been living in America/Japan most of my life, where they take a broader approach. I actually hated the fact that I had to choose only 4 subjects so much that, in retaliation, I took music, drama, French and geography which were all subjects I had never learned before, except for geography, even though the teachers were trying to push me towards separate science, history, etc. Now, for A-Level I am taking biology, chemistry and maths, and hold an offer for Human Sciences at UCL. GCSEs really don't matter, and I had SO much fun with the subjects I took. Please go for subjects you like, and all the teachers will try to convince you to take their subject, so ultimately, listen to yourself. As long as you like the subjects, you can push yourself to study more and get good grades, and it will be more rewarding. I hope this helped, try not to stress about it too much!
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vivinotta
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#11
(Original post by VeritySleeps)
Can't comment on the others but I wouldn't recommend doing a GCSE in music. You probably won't learn as much as you'd hope and so many people take it just for a "free" period, it becomes pointless
Can't comment on the others but I wouldn't recommend doing a GCSE in music. You probably won't learn as much as you'd hope and so many people take it just for a "free" period, it becomes pointless
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zlan
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#12
(Original post by vivinotta)
Hi. I have to choose my GCSE options by the 26th of March (I believe). I'm really stuck but I've narrowed it down to a selection of subjects and was wondering if any of you guys could give your opinions on a good combination and/or if you took it/are taking it your opinion and is it worth it.
I get 9 options (10 if you get chosen for stats or another one but I'm second set maths so idk whether I'd get that). I have to do English Lit, English Lang and Maths. I've decided to do triple science for definite so I have 3 spaces left.
The subjects I have sort of narrowed it down to (out of like 20 subjects) are:
-AQA History
-OCR Business
-BTEC Health and Social Care
-AQA Music
-AQA Religious Studies
-AQA Art Graphic Design
-OCR Computer Science
I know that's quite a few options but I wanted to include the exam boards so if anyone has taken it they can say whether it's worth it. If anyone can suggest a combination of 3 I would be SO grateful as I am so stuck.
Just as a note, is it best to stick to one subject that is more of an arty type and have two other ones? Like I was thinking of doing one of Health & Social Care, Art Graphic Design or Music but not all of them.
As far as it goes my teachers have said that I'd be aiming for top grades in all of them if I carry on working the way I do and I enjoy most of them equally so I'm sort of stuck there.
If you've got this far, thank you so much for reading!
Hi. I have to choose my GCSE options by the 26th of March (I believe). I'm really stuck but I've narrowed it down to a selection of subjects and was wondering if any of you guys could give your opinions on a good combination and/or if you took it/are taking it your opinion and is it worth it.
I get 9 options (10 if you get chosen for stats or another one but I'm second set maths so idk whether I'd get that). I have to do English Lit, English Lang and Maths. I've decided to do triple science for definite so I have 3 spaces left.
The subjects I have sort of narrowed it down to (out of like 20 subjects) are:
-AQA History
-OCR Business
-BTEC Health and Social Care
-AQA Music
-AQA Religious Studies
-AQA Art Graphic Design
-OCR Computer Science
I know that's quite a few options but I wanted to include the exam boards so if anyone has taken it they can say whether it's worth it. If anyone can suggest a combination of 3 I would be SO grateful as I am so stuck.
Just as a note, is it best to stick to one subject that is more of an arty type and have two other ones? Like I was thinking of doing one of Health & Social Care, Art Graphic Design or Music but not all of them.
As far as it goes my teachers have said that I'd be aiming for top grades in all of them if I carry on working the way I do and I enjoy most of them equally so I'm sort of stuck there.
If you've got this far, thank you so much for reading!
At GCSE doesn't really matter what you choose as long as you get a 6 or above in maths english and sciences you can pick any subject at college
Personally took OCR computer science pretty easy to self learn
I'd stay away from history if you don't like essay based subjects and it's very subjective to the marker talking 3 grades in some circumstances
Try for a language if possible they're fun and anything above a 5 looks good also easy to pass
I'd recommend business since my friends did it and it's easy to get a distinction heavily coursework based so you don't have to stress on the day
Last edited by zlan; 1 year ago
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litan
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#13
(Original post by VeritySleeps)
Can't comment on the others but I wouldn't recommend doing a GCSE in music. You probably won't learn as much as you'd hope and so many people take it just for a "free" period, it becomes pointless
Can't comment on the others but I wouldn't recommend doing a GCSE in music. You probably won't learn as much as you'd hope and so many people take it just for a "free" period, it becomes pointless
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vivinotta
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#14
(Original post by Kabzzzy)
Honestly, I would not overcomplicate it. Just pick the subjects you enjoy the most. Naturally, it'll be a lot easier for you to get higher grades in subjects you're interested in. As long as Maths, English and the core Sciences are covered, do what you want. Save the stressing for when you choose your A-levels (or IB) as those will directly impact University courses.
Honestly, I would not overcomplicate it. Just pick the subjects you enjoy the most. Naturally, it'll be a lot easier for you to get higher grades in subjects you're interested in. As long as Maths, English and the core Sciences are covered, do what you want. Save the stressing for when you choose your A-levels (or IB) as those will directly impact University courses.
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vivinotta
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#15
(Original post by litan)
It probably depends on the person to be honest. I, personally, learned so much about conventions, techniques, instruments and the history behind music, and how to analyse music as well. Music was the hardest subject I took, and not a single lesson was a 'free period'. That's for my school, anyways.
It probably depends on the person to be honest. I, personally, learned so much about conventions, techniques, instruments and the history behind music, and how to analyse music as well. Music was the hardest subject I took, and not a single lesson was a 'free period'. That's for my school, anyways.
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vivinotta
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#16
(Original post by username11235813)
I personally would pick History, RS, and Music from those choices. History is a very interesting subject (I loved History GCSE) and a strong academic choice, RS can be fascinating if you like the discussion aspect and is also a great GCSE, and music is a creative subject that complements the others well (and less work than art, which is insane).
I did History, Geography, Latin, Computer Science, and German as my options (and French in Y11, but I didn't take the GCSE).
I personally would pick History, RS, and Music from those choices. History is a very interesting subject (I loved History GCSE) and a strong academic choice, RS can be fascinating if you like the discussion aspect and is also a great GCSE, and music is a creative subject that complements the others well (and less work than art, which is insane).
I did History, Geography, Latin, Computer Science, and German as my options (and French in Y11, but I didn't take the GCSE).
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VeritySleeps
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#17
(Original post by litan)
It probably depends on the person to be honest. I, personally, learned so much about conventions, techniques, instruments and the history behind music, and how to analyse music as well. Music was the hardest subject I took, and not a single lesson was a 'free period'. That's for my school, anyways.
It probably depends on the person to be honest. I, personally, learned so much about conventions, techniques, instruments and the history behind music, and how to analyse music as well. Music was the hardest subject I took, and not a single lesson was a 'free period'. That's for my school, anyways.
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esbnothing
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#18
music gcse is very stressful and more written work. A lot of my friends have taken music gcse and many don't enjoy it at all.
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litan
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#19
I was told that I was a grade 5 in piano (I never took lessons in Britain so I had no idea what grade I was), but honestly, I was probably a bit lower because I performed the most challenging pieces I knew. You need at least a grade 3 in piano for WJEC. The level of the class varied, but I would say grade 5 is maybe even above 'average', for the class that I was in.
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vivinotta
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#20
(Original post by litan)
I was told that I was a grade 5 in piano (I never took lessons in Britain so I had no idea what grade I was), but honestly, I was probably a bit lower because I performed the most challenging pieces I knew. You need at least a grade 3 in piano for WJEC. The level of the class varied, but I would say grade 5 is maybe even above 'average', for the class that I was in.
I was told that I was a grade 5 in piano (I never took lessons in Britain so I had no idea what grade I was), but honestly, I was probably a bit lower because I performed the most challenging pieces I knew. You need at least a grade 3 in piano for WJEC. The level of the class varied, but I would say grade 5 is maybe even above 'average', for the class that I was in.
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