This article was first published in 2018 and updated in 2024.
The subjects you choose to study for your GCSEs or Nationals are the first stepping stones to your goals in life. Here's some advice from life coach Mark Anderson on how to pick the right subjects for you.
Life coach Mark Anderson gives advice on choosing your exam subjects.
When you choose your subjects, for the first time you’ll get to choose what you study, and that’s exciting. But how can you make the right choice? There are three main steps.
Step 1. Think about where you want to be. Do you want to do a particular job like being a doctor, musician or plumber? Perhaps you’d like to work in a specific industry like fashion, or maybe you know that you want to travel abroad for your job. Think about the subjects you need to do to support those goals. When you know you’re doing a subject for a reason it will be easier to keep working on it, and if you don’t know what to do, don’t worry. Choose a mix of subjects that will keep your options open without skewing too much in one direction, like only taking humanities subjects.
Step 2. Give yourself the best chance to make the best decision for you by leaving plenty of time to explore your options. Don’t try to cram all your research into a week or a few days. Talk to older students about how different subjects were for them, and ask teachers you trust for their help. They’ll know your strengths and might have some useful suggestions for you personally.
Step 3. Above all, make sure the subjects you choose are right for you. Don’t choose your subjects just because your friends are doing them or you like the teacher. Trust your instincts about which subjects you really like and feel right for you. If you take subjects that are a good fit you can keep going when things get tougher. So believe n yourself, commit to working hard and choose thoughtfully. This is the first step in an exciting journey, good luck!
So, if you’re feeling unsure about your options, remember these three clear steps to help you make the right choice:
1. Look ahead
Think about the job you might like to do, or the kind of work environment you eventually want to be in, as this could inform your option choices. For instance, if you know that you want to travel with your work, a modern foreign language could be your calling. If you have no idea what kind of job you'd like to do, don't worry! You won't be boxed in if you take a mix of subjects across a range of disciplines and keep your options open.
Compulsory subjects vary depending on where you are in the UK and sometimes on your school. For information on the guidelines around options in your nation, see:
The Ultimate Options Guide 2025
Everything you need to know about choosing your GCSE subjects in England
GCSEs in Northern Ireland: What are my options?
Scottish National options: What you need to know
Choosing your GCSE options in Wales
2. Give yourself enough time
This isn’t a decision to rush so, if you're feeling unsure, talk to teachers and older students. Research subjects and the potential jobs they lead to online, and feel prepared ahead of making your choices.
3. Do what’s best for you
Don’t just take a subject because your friends are taking the same one or if you like the teacher. Follow your talents and instincts to do what interests you.
Hear from students and teachers about some of the most popular GCSE and National subjects in The Ultimate Options Guide.
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on BBC Action Line.
The Ultimate Options Guide 2025
Find out more about some of the subjects that may be on offer when choosing your GCSE or National options.
GCSEs in England: Everything you need to know about choosing your options
From when you have to choose your options to what subjects you can choose, here's all the info you need.
What I wish I'd known about choosing my options
Former secondary students open up about what they wish they'd known when they chose their options.
