What is the best GCSE to take?

Asked by: Sigurd Hammes  |  Last update: January 22, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (54 votes)

If you are looking for a future career or course in science then choose double or triple Science. If you want to have a career in art or design in the future, then choose an arts focused GCSE. If you want to deal with customers from other countries or work abroad then a language will be very useful.

What is the best GCSE to choose?

Maths, English and Science are the more highly regarded. If you want to do specific subjects after GCSE then you may need those subjects at GCSE. With the grades aspect in mind it might be worth looking at subjects which interest you and will want to study.

What are the most respected GCSEs?

GCSE options do matter

English and maths (sometimes science) are the GCSEs that universities are most likely to be interested in – and you don't get the option of dropping these. So whatever GCSEs you choose, you'll still have a broad range of unis to make up your mind over (if you get the grades, that is).

What is the easiest GCSE to take?

The Top Ten Easiest GCSE Subjects
  • Computer Science.
  • Religious Studies.
  • History.
  • Geography.
  • English Lit, Food Prep & Nutrition, PE, Business Studies, Psychology, Sociology.
  • Maths.
  • English Lang.
  • Combined Science/Double Science.

What is the best GCSE grade?

The rollout began in 2017 with three subjects - English language, English literature and maths - being the first to be graded in numbers. By 2020, all subjects were using the new grading system. The highest grade is 9, while 1 is the lowest, and U means "ungraded".

How To Choose Your GCSEs in 2024

21 related questions found

Which GCSE is most difficult?

When it comes to sheer difficulty, many students point to Further Mathematics as the hardest GCSE to pass. Its advanced concepts and demanding coursework can be a significant challenge for even the most mathematically inclined.

Is 70% good in GCSE?

A score of 70% will usually get you a grade 7 or 8 at GCSE, depending on the subject and your exam board's grade boundaries for that year. Here are the percentages you'll need to reach a grade 8 in English and Maths. Most are just above or below the 70% mark.

Are GCSEs harder than American SATs?

SAT subject tests are harder than GCSE tests because they're used to get into American universities and colleges. However, many argue that the SATs are too easy because they're only one hour long and made up of multiple-choice questions.

What is the least popular GCSE?

There isn't a specific GCSE that is universally the least chosen one. This differs from year to year and school to school. However, some less common options include Classical Civilisation, History, Welsh, and other Science subjects.

How hard are GCSEs in 2024?

The million-dollar question: will 2024 GCSE exams be tougher? While standards should stay consistent, exam boards are constantly refining assessments to ensure they reflect the curriculum and challenge students appropriately. So no, GCSE exams shouldn't be any harder in 2024 than previous years.

What is the most passed GCSE subject?

Ranking of Best Pass Rates
  • GCSE Drama. GCSE Drama has a pass rate of 74.1%, making it the GCSE with one of the highest pass rates. ...
  • GCSE Religious Studies. This is an easy and relaxed subject with a pass rate of 71.9%. ...
  • GCSE Physical Education. ...
  • GCSE Film Studies. ...
  • GCSE Food Technology.

Do GCSEs matter for Oxford?

GCSEs. GCSEs will be taken into account when we consider your application but they are just one aspect that we look at. GCSE results will be considered alongside your personal statement, academic reference, predicted grades and performance in any written work or written test required for your course.

What is the most important GCSE?

Research shows that achieving 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9, including English and Maths, significantly increases your chances of accessing higher education and better job opportunities. Employers want people with good Maths and English GCSEs.

How many GCSEs do you need?

Most sixth forms or colleges require at least five GCSEs, often with minimum grades in core subjects like English and Maths. Specific A-level subjects may require a GCSE in the same area, like a grade 6 or higher in Maths for A-level Maths.

Can I drop a GCSE in year 11?

Students who change course must catch up the work within the timeframe set by the subject leader. Students will not be allowed to drop option subjects in Year 10-11 unless they have a letter from a consultant and the issue raised is consistent with evidence seen in school.

What are the 5 hardest GCSEs?

GCSE Maths, GCSE Sciences, Modern Foreign Languages, GCSE English Literature, and History often rank among the hardest GCSE subjects. This is due to their concepts' need for critical thinking.

What is the best GCSE to get?

If you are looking for a future career or course in science then choose double or triple Science. If you want to have a career in art or design in the future, then choose an arts focused GCSE. If you want to deal with customers from other countries or work abroad then a language will be very useful.

What is the least popular subject in the world?

Several other studies suggest that mathematics has the dubious honor of being the least popular subject in the curriculum.” In one survey of high-school seniors, investigators found that 12% had never taken any algebra or geometry, 26% had dropped mathematics after only one year, 30% had dropped it after two.

What is the US equivalent of GCSE?

Academic rigor and skills

For example, IGCSEs and GCSEs are considered equivalent to a United States high school diploma according to UCAS — even though IGCSEs are completed at age 16, two years before students would ordinarily finish the US high school diploma.

What is the hardest GCSE exam board?

On the flip side of the data we've just looked at, WJEC Eduqas is by far the hardest exam board. Only 0.9% of pupils achieve Grade 8 or higher.

Is UK or US school harder?

Is British school harder than American? Difficulty depends on the school, curriculum, and personal learning style. British schools often focus on depth in specific subjects, while American schools offer broader studies. The challenge level can vary based on the chosen courses and expectations.

What GCSE grade is 95%?

If a paper is allocated 120 uniform marks, the range of marks allocated to grade B is 84 to 95 (70% to 79% of 120); for grade C, 72 to 83 (60% to 69% of 120).

Is a grade 7 GCSE good?

In the current grading system, a score of 9, 8 and 7 are equivalent to an A* and A. A 9 is for a student who has performed exceptionally well. A grade of 4 is the equivalent of a C grade, known as a standard pass. A grade of 5 is also a C grade but is known as a strong pass.