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What sort of person are you?

To help you decide what to study in Years 10 and 11, start by asking yourself what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at.

Think about:

• what you’re interested in: it could be other cultures and languages, writing projects, helping people, being outdoors or designing things
• what types of activity you enjoy most - working things out and thinking them through, practical activities or artistic options like painting, drawing or performing music
• what you're like at home, as well as in school - what skills have you developed following outside interests?

Choosing what to study

There are some subjects so important that everyone has to take them, but you’ll still have lots of options in Year 9.

Remember that Years 10 and 11 aren’t just about GCSEs. Courses are taught in different ways, and it may be that one type suits you more than others.

Depending on what’s available at your school, you may also be able to do work-related courses like Young Apprenticeships, or courses in Key Skills like English and maths.

Selected schools also offer Diploma qualifications for 14 to 19-year-olds.

• Choosing subjects for Years 10 and 11: what's compulsory and what's optional

How will you be assessed?

Chances are you'll have to do at least one exam for most of your subjects, but many also let you count coursework towards your final grade. Some subjects aren't all about written work, and give you the chance to do practical assessments as well. Would that suit you?

If you have a disability or learning difficulty, it’s also worth checking how your school could provide extra help to ensure that you are assessed fairly.

• Taking exams: getting organised

• Coursework: what to expect

Where can you get help and advice?

The choices are yours, but most people look for advice on important decisions. There’s plenty available, but you should do as much as you can yourself to research all the options.

Parents, carers, family and friends probably know you best, so talking to them can help you work out what might suit you. But remember that they won’t always know a lot about careers or courses you’re interested in.

If you’re planning to work towards a particular career or college course, don’t be put off just because it means taking a different direction from friends or family members.

People at school

Lots of people at school can help:

• subject teachers know exactly what studying a subject in Year 10 and 11 involves, and can advise whether it’s right for you
• careers co-ordinators can tell you which subjects and qualifications are useful for particular careers
• the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) can arrange support if you have a disability or learning difficulty which affects your studies
• a volunteer or learning mentor can help with any problems getting in the way of your learning – ask if there’s one at your school

Contact a careers adviser

For free and confidential help or advice, you can contact a careers adviser by phone, email, webchat or text message.

• Telephone: 0800 100 900

Thinking about higher education?

If you're thinking about going into higher education, see these links to find out more about what going to uni is like. There is also information about which university or college and which course to choose to help you achieve your goals.

• What can higher education do for you?

• Where to go, what to study

More useful links

• Finding a career that's right for you (young people section)

Useful contacts

• Choices at 14-19 contacts

• Education and learning contacts