The idea of having to choose subjects for the final phase of a child’s schooling career can be daunting, especially as these choices determine a child’s options for tertiary studies.

Although it might sound like the easy way out to drop subjects that a student least enjoys, many parents and their children do not know which subjects are required for specific degrees or diplomas for tertiary study, which is totally understandable as they do not operate in the field of Education.

Here are a few guidelines that can assist parents and students in making wise decisions when it comes to subject choices.

Interest and Aptitude tests

Grade 9 is a key milestone in a student’s journey to completing Grade 12. Most private schools and some government schools get their students to complete Interest and Aptitude tests in order to guide both student and parent with subject choices.

On completion of the test, an individualised report which indicates students’ interests as well as their aptitude for certain subjects is sent to the parent. The report may also indicate possible career options based on the results of the test. It is important to remember that these results act as a guide and are not set in stone.

If your child’s school does not offer this service and you are unsure of your child’s interests and aptitude for subjects like Mathematics, I suggest that you approach an Educational Psychologist to administer Interest and Aptitude tests to help guide your decisions.

Subject Choice Information Evenings

Many students do not know the difference between the subject choice of Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy and the criteria and entry requirements when wanting to pursue tertiary study. Schools host subject choice evenings to inform parents about the various options available to their children.

At these information sessions, schools should explain what is required to study Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees, Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degrees, Bachelor of Education (Bed) degrees and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees.

Often subjects that students are not exposed to in the previous grades are explained, such as Computer Application Technology (CAT); Engineering, Graphics and Design (EGD); Information Technology (IT) and Design Art versus Visual Arts.
I would advise you to attend these information sessions and if you need further assistance, make an appointment to meet with the Academic Head or Deputy Principal or school Educational Psychologist

Do your own research

Taking your child’s interests and aptitude into account as well as where he/she may pursue further study, use your trusted “friend” Google to find the faculty and course information online booklets for the various institutions you are considering.
Look at what the subject requirements and Admission Point Score (AP Score) are for the courses your child may be interested in (make him/her part of the research process for buy-in).

It is truly devastating, and a travesty, when students get to Grade 12 and start applying to universities and private colleges, to only then find out that their subject choices do not allow them entry into their desired courses.

This is why it is vital that schools educate parents and students regarding subject choices and opportunities available based on subject choices. Mathematics is a must for a BCom degree and Mathematics and Physical Sciences are a must for a BSc degree for example. It is equally important for parents and students to do their own research as the various tertiary institutions have different requirements and different ways of applying the AP Score.

The big question – Should my child offer Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy? 

This is a common question and one that parents and students grapple with when it comes to subject choice. It is important to consider the following:

Does my child enjoy Mathematics?

Mathematics is a subject that requires many hours of practice and consolidation weekly. If a student does not enjoy the subject, the chances are good that he or she will neglect the subject and do the bare minimum when it comes to homework (which will reflect in the marks).

Does my child have an aptitude for Mathematics?

If a child does not have an aptitude for Mathematics, he/she will struggle and achieve low marks, despite the effort the student puts into the subject. This may lead to a child feeling that he/she is not intelligent and create issues with self-confidence in general. Nothing can be further from the truth though, we have different areas of strength when it comes to intellect. Not everyone is good at Maths.

Does my child require Mathematics for the course/s he/she is interested in?

This is a tough one, as a student who does not have the attitude for Mathematics may need it for the tertiary degree he/she wishes to study.
My advice would be to listen to the advice given by the school as they work with this type of situation year on year.

It may be that your child needs to try Mathematics, with you enlisting the assistance of a private tutor for additional one-on-one weekly lessons or that your child will need to consider the courses offered in the BA faculty or BEd faculty that do not require Mathematics, there are a diverse number of courses that are offered as Bachelor of Arts degrees, such as BA Law and BA Psychology.

If you look at the course requirements for BCom and BSc degrees, the minimum requirement is usually 50% for Mathematics, with higher results required for engineering and medical degrees for example.

Important to note

Mathematical Literacy is an excellent subject and very practical in nature. Students will apply what they learn throughout their lives. It is a good choice when Mathematics is not required for what your child is planning to study at a tertiary level.

Another big question – Must my child offer Physical Sciences?

The answer is simple, if your child is planning to pursue courses that fall within the Bachelor of Science realm, such as engineering, medicine, veterinary sciences, genetics and so forth, then he/she must offer Physical Sciences.

Again, you need to consider your child’s aptitude for the subject as the minimum requirement for most BSc courses is a mark above 60% for Physical Sciences, with even higher results required for certain courses. Please note that a student must offer Mathematics if they wish to offer Physical Sciences.

It is saddening to have students suffer for three years, offering subjects for which they do not have the aptitude that will see them excluded from their desired field of study or, even worse, not qualify for a Bachelor’s Degree Pass or fail the year because Mathematics and Physical Sciences are not for them. It is far better for such students to offer subjects in which they excel, giving them high AP Scores that ensure entry into BA and BEd courses where Mathematics and Physical Sciences are not required.

Students are not stuck with the choices they make in Grade 9

Fortunately, the subject choices made in Grade 9 are not those that a student must offer until the end of Grade 12.

Students may swop subjects in Grade 10 and 11 (and even the start of Grade 12 in some instances) if it is educationally sound to do so. Students usually swop Mathematics for Mathematical Literacy and Physical Sciences for another subject, but other changes also occur.

Have you already made your subject choices, but would like to reconsider?

It is not too late. Schools differ as to when they want parents to submit their subject choices, this is for planning purposes for the following year. You should still be able to change your choices after the November examinations, unless certain subjects have reached capacity (full CAT and IT classes for example).

When in doubt, reach out to your school for assistance. You are not alone on this journey towards tertiary studies.

By Mignonne Gerli – Abbotts College Pretoria-East