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Subject choice

Choosing your Leaving Cert subjects is a big decision

You'll be studying these subjects for two years, they can effect what you decide to study in college and you may even end up choosing a career based on these subjects. So this isn't a decision you should take lightly. Here are a few factors to consider when you're making these tough decisions.

Decisions, decisions, decisions:

Depending on what you want to study after the Leaving Cert, some subjects are a “matriculation requirement” for certain courses. This means that some subjects are mandatory to gain entry into a college course.

For example, a minimum C3 in higher level chemistry is required for veterinary, a minimum C3 in higher level maths is required for engineering, and a minimum C3 at higher level in two science subjects is required to study science in Trinity.

It's important not to lock yourself out of a course you want to study by not choosing a required subject. Do your research. Different colleges have different requirements for the same course. Check each college prospectus and make sure you've covered the course requirements for what you want to study after the Leaving Cert.

You're good at what you enjoy:

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It’s much harder to do well in a subject that you don’t enjoy or aren’t naturally good at. Make sure to choose your favourite subject(s). When it comes to studying each subject, it is important you find them interesting to be able to excel at them. Studying a subject you enjoy can decrease the pressure and workload immensely.

If you're good at a subject it will come naturally to you. Take all of the budding engineers we have – these students tend to be naturals at mathematical subjects. Therefore physics and applied maths might be subjects that they would like and have an interest in, and therefore do well in. 

Adopt a strategy: 

Always pick the subjects you want to do and that you think you’ll be good at. If you find an area that you are particularly good at, you could boost your ability by choosing subjects which complement each other.

Some subjects can contain an overlap with other subjects, such as physics and applied maths or biology and agricultural science. Approaching subject choice in this way may help to lighten your workload.

For example, if you study both biology and home economics, you'll only have to learn about biomolecules once. 

Test your compatibility: 

If you’re unsure of what subjects to choose, there are aptitude tests available through your school or even online. These often include a series of questions related to your personality. Your answers are then calculated to match what subjects or career is best suited to you.

It might also be very useful to do an interest test at this point. An interest test can be the first indication of what career paths might appeal to you. If you're very unsure of what subjects to choose, aptitude tests or interest tests can often be a great starting point.

Advice is only a question away: 

If you’re wondering about whether or not to choose a subject it’s important to do some investigating. Browse the outline, chapters or headings of the course and see if they appeal to you. Arrange to meet with the teacher of the subject and ask what will be covered in the course.

Meeting your career guidance counsellor can be of great value. Your guidance counsellor will have experience in helping students choose subjects that suit their desired career path, or subjects which complement each other. He or she will also have knowledge of subject requirements which are necessary to enter into particular college courses.

Useful websites: 

qualifax.ie, cao.ie, careersportal.ie.

See also the sites of the institutions you’ll be applying to.