With so many decisions to make, choosing your options for your GCSEs or National Qualifications can be really difficult! But, with a little bit of guidance it can be a lot easier.
We've asked our careers advisors and The Mind Set coaches to share their top tips on how to choose the best GCSE or National Qualification options for you!
Watch the video below to find out what they had to say.
Helen: Our top tips on how to choose the best GCSE or Nationals options for you!
Baxter: Think about your future and what career you might want to do. Then you can research online or speak to a teacher, or your careers adviser about which subjects will help you get there.
Rohan: If you want to go to a specific college, or do a particular course after your GCSEs or Nationals, you can go onto their website and look at what subjects you need to have at GCSE or National level.
Lauren: If you’re not sure what you want to do, think about what motivates you and what you enjoy. There are so many pathways to explore and for many careers there are different routes in.
Helen: Speak to your teachers, if your school offers an Options evening, you could speak to them then. While it is important you choose what is right for you, they can offer you great advice.
Sekani: It's also really important to think about your strengths and how you can play to them.
Helen: Make sure you look at the course content and how you are examined by visiting the exam board’s website. I’d ask your teacher to help with this. If you are better at essays than exams, for example, you might want to chose subjects that are coursework heavy and didn’t rely so much on the final exam.
Rohan: My most important piece of advice is to do your research and choose what is right for YOU!
Our coaches' top tips for choosing the best GCSE or National Qualification options for you!
Rohan "If you want to go to a specific college, or do a particular course after your GCSEs (or National Qualifications), you can go onto the college website and look at what subjects you need."
Baxter "Think about your future and what career you might want to do. Then you can research online or speak to a teacher, or your careers adviser about which subjects will help you get there."
Helen "Speak to your teachers, if your school offers an options evening, you could speak to them then. While it is important you choose what is right for you, they can offer you great advice."
Nung "I am much better at essays than exams so I chose subjects that were coursework heavy and didn’t rely so much on the final exam."
Sekani "It's really important to think about your strengths and how you can play to them."
Lauren "If you’re not sure what you want to do, think about what motivates you and what you enjoy."
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 the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.
The Ultimate Options Guide 2026
Find out more about some of the subjects that may be on offer when choosing your GCSE or National options.
Where can I find help choosing my GCSE or National options?
Looking for help with choosing your GCSE or National options? You've come to the right place!
Choosing your options 2025
A one-stop shop for support with choosing your GCSE or National Qualifications.
