Which GCSEs should I take?

[Molly Anneliese]

Hi everyone I don't really need to worry about this for a while but (until the spring we start learning about it) I've been quite worried because where I go to school you take anywhere from 8-14 GCSEs but most people say to take around 10-11. I've been narrowing down my list but I really want to learn all the things on here... I'm a bit confused on all of this seeing as I haven't been going to English schools for very long (my family moved two years ago). I was just hoping for your opinions on the subjects I put below. Which would you choose?? THANK YOU <33

Two GCSEs: English Language and English Literature
Mathematics
Two GCSEs: Science and Additional Science (a more academic course)
Afrikaans
Russian
Latin
Home Economics
   Child Development
History
   Modern World
   Economic and Social
Religious Studies (each worth .5) I have been raised Catholic but I've always wanted to know about other religions
   Hinduism
   Islam
   Judaism
   Philosophy and Ethics
Law
Psychology
Sociology
Art and Design
Film Studies
Media Studies
Additional Mathematics
Human Physiology and Health
Statistics

[Nuc Dev]

I took 11 GCSEs though I wish I hadn't taken Latin since I had to study it in a group outside of the timetable i.e.: after school for one hour and also during a lunchtime session.

I took:

Maths
English Lang
English Lit
3 sciences as separate awards rather than the double award
Latin
Religious Studies
Geography
Spanish
French

The GCSEs you pick should reflect what you're good at and also what interests you. Also it would be a good idea to think about what you want to do at A-Level and use that as a basis to decide on your GCSEs. Also you should think about whether you're more into maths/science or arts since you have quite a few subjects from both branches.

I would say Law would be pretty interesting though you may have to write quite a few essays.

R.S was pretty interesting, but most courses only study 2 religions though it does depend on your school/teachers (in my case it was Christianity and Islam).

[Kumquat]

English language is compulsory, and I recommend english lit- it's compulsory in most schools and it's very interesting. I'm not good at writing essay but I still got a good grade.

Maths is compulsory

Definitely do science and additional science, or triple science (3 GCSEs) if you can. It's not that hard, it's interesting and it's well regarded.

You cannot do a GCSE in Afrikaans. It doesn't exist.

Russian: Depends. If you already know some, then yes, definitely. It is an interesting and uncommon choice, that is also useful. However if you haven't done any Russian I don't recommend it as it's very hard at first (or at least I thought it was) and you only have 2 years to learn it to quite a high standard (essay writing)

Latin: Pretty much the same as russian. I did this but I'd been learning latin since I was 12. The latin language was easy but the literature was really hard. So if you already know some latin it will be fine, but if not steer clear.

Home economics: Unless you have a reason for really wanting to do it, I wouldn't choose this. It's considered an easy subject with little prestige but it's quite boring because most of it is theory- hygiene and stuff, very little actual cooking etc.

History: I avoided this because I'm not very good at essay writing, but regret it now because it seemed really interesting (modern world)

RS- I haven't done this, so can't really comment. Your school usually chooses which two religions you will study in full.

Law- I have never heard of this before I checked that it existed! No comment. It's not very prestigious though.

Pyschology and sociology (I have the same comments for both). Neither of them are very well considered at GCSe, although at A-level they are more so. You don't need to do the GCSE to do the A-level. I haven't done these subjects but they seems really interesting, studying gender and racial stereotypes, social class makeup etc.

Art and design: A LOT of work! Only undertake if you really enjoy art.

Film studies and media studies: Avoid like the plague. These are subjects chosen by people who just try and choose the easiest possible combination and still fail. Not at all well looked on.

Additional mathematics could be worth doing if you enjoy maths, but it's not necessary to study maths at A-level or university. Same with statistics.

Human physiology and health: no idea. Again I have never heard of anyone doing this, although it could be interesting.

Based on this I suggest that you do:

English Language
English Literature
Maths
Additional or triple science
Russian (most schools require you to take at least 1 modern language, and it is the only one you have offered. Otherwise spanish and french are common and fairly easy)
History (modern world if you have a choice)
Religious studies
One (not both) of psycology or sociology
Art and design

Bear in mind that most schools will not offer all the options. All will have history, geography, maths etc but not all will have law, sociology, media studies etc.