Did you know that when you sit your exams will depend on which subjects you take? Or that some GCSE courses lead to the equivalent of two GCSEs, while others earn you half a GCSE?

It's your choice!

Choosing your subjects is a big decision. It's OK, no one expects you to know exactly what you want to do in the future. You will be encouraged to take a wide range of subjects so that you can keep your options open.

Your school will give you information about exactly which GCSEs are offered and how you can fit together different courses in your timetable.

There are some subjects that you have to study - like English, maths, science, RE and PE. In England you must also study ICT and citizenship. In Wales you must also study Welsh. It would be worth taking a GCSE or a short course GCSE in these subjects so that you have something valuable at the end of your two years of study.

When you are deciding what other subjects to study, think about which subjects you are best at, which you enjoy and which might help you in the future. There may be some subjects, like psychology or economics, that you haven't studied before. Make sure that you look at all the options so that you make the decision that is right for you. Your teachers and parents or guardians can advise you on the subjects you should study. Advice is also available from other places, such as Connexions. See 'Where to go for help' for more information.

Some subjects can be taken in different ways. You will need to check the information that your school provides to find out what options are available to you. For example, there are four ways to take GCSE science qualifications:

• Three separate GCSEs: one in biology, one in chemistry and one in physics
• A double award in science, which covers all three subjects and is worth two GCSEs
• A single award in science, which covers all three subjects and is worth one GCSE
• A double award in applied science, which is worth two GCSEs.

One size doesn't fit all

Most GCSE courses lead to one GCSE, although double award and short courses are an option.

Some GCSEs, like 'double award science' and the GCSEs in vocational subjects, have more topics to learn about, so they are worth the equivalent of two GCSEs.

Certain GCSEs, like citizenship studies, are only available in 'short courses', which are worth half a GCSE. Short course GCSEs are helpful if you want to study a subject but don't have time to do a whole GCSE, or if you want to get qualifications in compulsory subjects like RE and PE. They are available in a range of subjects, including design and technology, geography, history, art and design, business studies and Welsh second language - so, if you are interested in studying one of them, check with your school to see which ones they offer. Remember that taking a short course is still hard work!

Spreading the workload

GCSEs normally take two years to complete. In those two years you will do 'coursework', which will count towards your final grade. Coursework may include projects, fieldwork, artwork, experiments or investigations. You will also have to sit exams. Some subjects, like art and design, design and technology and GCSEs in vocational subjects have more coursework and fewer exams.

Some subjects, such as science and maths, have 'modular' options. A modular course is split into different units, with an exam at the end of each unit. This means that you will sit exams throughout your course instead of doing all the exams at the end of the two years. Some subjects, like geography and history, don't have modules, this means that you sit all the exams at the end of the course. Your school will decide whether or not to offer modular courses, so ask your teachers for more information.

If you take a modular exam and don't do as well as you expected, then you can resit the exam to try to improve your grade. The better mark out of the two attempts will count towards your final GCSE grade. Resitting exams is no easy option, so it is definitely best to work as hard as you can for your first attempt. You would need to speak to your teachers about the options available for resitting modules, because these depend on the course you are studying.