Pick GCSEs to keep your options open, not to chase the subject you enjoy most today. Maths, English and at least two sciences are compulsory, and that alone keeps about 90% of A-Level routes available. Triple science keeps the STEM ones open, Higher tier keeps the top grades reachable, and around ten GCSEs satisfies every sixth form without spreading you thin. Add subjects that show writing and reasoning rather than fillers.
Choosing your GCSE options is a choice that is not as consequential as schools might sometimes present it to be, but it isn’t innocuous either. The key over here is maximising your future options. Taking Mathematics, English and at least 2 sciences is compulsory, thus about 90% of A-Level options are still open to you but this would be short-term thinking.
We need to think ahead about which GCSE options universities look at in high regard. So here is a little piece to help you decide which GCSEs to take to maximise your potential.
What is triple science is paramount?
Taking triple science opens up so many career paths later in life. It plays such a key role in providing access to STEM careers. The logical skills which you gain from it is something that employers covet. Whilst there is no official requirement to do triple science from any university, there is a reason why most grammar schools make it compulsory to take triple science.
It adds to the strength and depth of understanding for A-Level science subjects. Many students find it difficult to cope with A-Level sciences if they don't study triple science at the GCSE level. Of course, there is the added benefit of an additional GCSE being awarded too(more on this later).
If you have the option always take triple science. If your school is barring you from sitting it, then drop us a message and we can work something out. It is important to note that your school's decision on these things is not FINAL even though many times they present it like it is.
How do you make sure you are actually doing GCSEs?
This point may not be relevant to the vast majority of you but I have encountered students who are taking a subject but are doing a BTEC or a Cambridge Pre-U, which isn't as impressive as doing an actual GCSE. Remember just because you are doing a subject does not mean you are doing a GCSE, always check with your school!
What is always take higher tier?
Since the elimination of AS level exams from your A-Level course, GCSEs have been one of the biggest sources of evidence that unis employ to give offers. If you want to study a competitive course, Medicine, Engineering, etc, or get into a top 20 university (UK) you need a near-perfect set of 8s and 9s running down your results paper.
You only have access to these grades if you are taking higher tier papers, not FOUNDATION which limits your maximum grade to a 5, roughly a C grade in old money. Even if you feel you may not be as confident in a subject, you still have 2 years to rectify any issues you may have with a subject which is more than enough time to kick it up a notch.
There are a countless number of students I have worked with who started off with 4s and 5s and then finished off with top-tier grades. Don't limit yourself, aim for the top. Again if your school tries to bar you from this, let us know and we will twist their ear.
What is s the golden number?
Most students don't really have much of a say over how many subjects their school offers them but if given the option the more the merrier really. Around 10-11 subjects is a pretty decent number as you aren't overwhelmed but you also have enough variety to keep it diverse and interesting. Most unis calculate a best 8 score so doing the bare minimum of 8 is absolutely essential but having a couple extra 8 or 9s helps. Do keep in mind though, quality over quantity.
What are non-compulsory options?
If I am honest, the non-compulsory options you choose aren't as important as having an overall clean grade list so personally, I would advise you to pick stuff that you enjoy because you are just more likely to do better in it. Most of these choices don't really block you out of career paths and you can take most subjects at A-Level without doing them at GCSE. For this reason, there isn't really a hard and fast rule.
What is A few subjects I wouldn't recommend?
Art - takes a lot of time to do every week. Commonly students are told that they have to draw many variations of their final version (draft 1, draft 2, draft 3 etc), which can really cut disproportionately into the time that should be dedicated to other subjects. So I wouldn’t really take art unless you are very passionate about it.
Business, Law, and Accounting, and the sort aren’t really important, as you don’t need to do these at GCSE or A-Level to study a degree in them so you can safely leave them aside if you want.
DT- similar reasons as art but isn’t as time-consuming so an 'ok' option.
Foreign languages - similar to Art this is very time-consuming and heavy memorisation is involved. Unlike Art however, with careful preparation and memorisation from Year9/10 you can manage the time. It is typical for students to miss out on a pristine grade sheet even at leading independent and grammars, because of a lower grade in a language-based subject.
If you do plan on taking a language, then start learning the vocabulary and grammar right from the get-go. Yr 9 and 10 you need to be putting some serious hours in every week if you want to get a decent grade at the end of it.
Other recommendations:
Computer science GCSE is a decent introduction to programming and the language of the future, but you don’t actually need to take computing for GCSE to study it at university. You can learn to program at home and I would recommend that all students do take this path in some shape or form.
Conclusions:
The most important point I am going to reiterate is that having good grades in English, Maths and the sciences is the most important thing at this point. These are your fundamental subjects. Having all 8s or 9s in just these 3 areas makes you a highly competitive applicant.
Keep in mind that this is general advice and as with many things in life, there isn't a one-size-fits-all. If you have any questions about which subjects to take for specific career paths then drop us a message.
What else is worth reading?
- Bad GCSE Grades? 5 Things To Do
- Excelling in Year 9 Science: A Strategic Guide to Preparing for GCSE…
- GCSE Grades Percentages Explained
- Top 10 Hardest GCSE Subjects
- How Important Are GCSEs for University Applications?
What are the honest limits of any grade or percentage figure?
Grade boundaries are set for each exam series, for each board and tier, after marking is complete. Every percentage and boundary described here is a historical example, not a promise: a 2025 boundary tells you about 2025. For the series you are actually sitting, check JCQ and your own board.
Officially, this is what a pass is worth — the government lists it as a Level 2 qualification:
“GCSE — grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C.” — gov.uk, What qualification levels mean
Where do these figures come from?
GCSE grades, boundaries and pass rates are set and published by the regulator and the exam boards, and they change every exam series. Check the current figures at source:
- The official GCSE 9–1 grading factsheets (gov.uk) — what each numbered grade means
- Ofqual — the exams regulator for England
- JCQ — national results statistics for every subject