Why do people take so many gcses?

9

I was always curious why people chose to do so many gcses when most unis consider how well you do not how many. For example why take triple science when you can take combined and come out with a better grade? I am really confused

Reply 1

ConfusedPenguin1

13

Specifically with triple science, if someone wants to do a science a-level then triple provides a little extra helpful knowledge and looks better on sixth form applications.

As for other subjects, I'm probably a pretty good example. I took 13 gcses, and for me that was just because I was already quite confident in my core subjects, I was pretty bored, competitive, and tbh a lot of those extra random subjects have helped me out a fair bit. Gcse statistics and further maths gave me a big head start with a level maths for example.

Reply 2

PinkMobilePhone

Chat Forum Helper, Life & Style Forum Helper

22

Usually it's the schools that determine how many GCSEs students are going to take.

Reply 3

zzzz11111

2

Original post

by aslkdfsaj

I was always curious why people chose to do so many gcses when most unis consider how well you do not how many. For example why take triple science when you can take combined and come out with a better grade? I am really confused

i didn’t have a choice 😭

Reply 4

godofpigeons

10

I took triple science, and it teaches you a lot of extra stuff that you learn in A level sciences, psychology, etc, so it's definitely worth it just to make your life easier if you take those. We didn't have the option to choose more than 10 though.

Reply 5

godofpigeons

10

Original post

by godofpigeons

I took triple science, and it teaches you a lot of extra stuff that you learn in A level sciences, psychology, etc, so it's definitely worth it just to make your life easier if you take those. We didn't have the option to choose more than 10 though.

Also, it was a small class mostly for people who'd get 9-9/8-8 in combined, so even if they took triple they'd still likely be able to do the same/better than combined. people who got lower than a 7-7 had the option to switch back before exams

Reply 6

Kingston Jenifer

Official Rep

11

Original post

by aslkdfsaj

I was always curious why people chose to do so many gcses when most unis consider how well you do not how many. For example why take triple science when you can take combined and come out with a better grade? I am really confused

Hi there,

great question!

So firstly, while uni's do take into account your GCSE grades we tend to be more interested in post-16 grades. Russel group uni's, oxbridge and some courses such medicine will look at your GCSEs but for the majority of applicants, we check to see that you meet the minimum GCSE requirements (usually a grade 4/5 in english and maths).

Triple science does have its merits. I did triple science and went on to do A-level chemistry and biology. I knew someone who did combined and while they were not disadvantaged, they would have to do some minimal and extra wider reading (this was in 2018/2020 so things may have changed!). However, he went to imperial and went on to a do chemistry (integrated masters) - so it is correct to say it does not disadvantage you taking combined.

Some people take more GCSEs simply because that is what their school require. For example, I did 9 GCSEs but i knew others that did 10. You are correct in saying we look at how well you do, and not how many :smile:

Hopefully that has provided some perspective!

Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)

Reply 7

Sol423

11

Original post

by aslkdfsaj

I was always curious why people chose to do so many gcses when most unis consider how well you do not how many. For example why take triple science when you can take combined and come out with a better grade? I am really confused

because regular science is too easy for someone who does well in science, so triple science allows someone to just get an extra grade. this grade can then compensate for any areas where they are weaker e.g. english

Why do people take so many gcses?

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