Select Right Subjects in high school for a Bright Future
Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Selecting the right subjects in high school is a pivotal task for both the parent and the student. This should be done quite seriously. While choosing the subjects one should keep in mind the subjects that interest them. Many students and parents are unaware that suitable subjects need to be chosen in class 11th to pursue various courses in college. There are significant differences between the college admission criteria between India and countries like the USA, UK, Canada and Australia. The right subject choice could boost students’ academic performance and improve their admission chances for their preferred courses. However, this may be confusing, given the different curricula and subjects available, including IGCSE, ICSE, CBSE, ISC and IB among others. The challenge arises from having to choose subjects within the curriculum’s constraints.
Here are a few tips about undergraduate courses offered in different countries and the best subject combination in high school to improve your admission chances.
1) Undergraduate (Bachelors) studies in India:
In India, you have to choose a ‘stream’ or an area of study such as engineering, medicine, arts, law, sciences or commerce after grade 12.
Several streams, such as engineering, medicine or law require an entrance exam along with the grade 12 board exam. In case a student is planning to appear for an entrance exam, they should choose their subjects accordingly. English should be a subject during high school.
The list of different streams, exams and the relevant subjects are provided in the table below:
| STREAM | EXAM | DEGREE | SUBJECTS |
| Medicine | NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) NEET is a uniform entrance exam for admission to courses related to medicine. It is accepted by almost 1300 colleges across India. | MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BVSc | Physics, Chemistry and Biology. NEET is based on the CBSE curriculum. The questions asked are multiple choice and a high level of accuracy is required. Although Math is not required, it is advantageous for both Physics and Chemistry. |
| Engineering | JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) is conducted for admissions to the prestigious IITs and NITs in India. Students that want to pursue B.Architecture or B.Planning can also appear for this exam. | B.Tech, BE, MCA (Integrated), MTech (Integrated) | Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Although the JEE is based on the CBSE curriculum, the questions asked are quite difficult. A high level of proficiency is required in PCM. |
| Law | CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a national level entrance exam for admissions to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programmes offered by 22 National Law Universities in India. CLAT is organized by the Consortium of National Law Universities, comprising representative universities. Several affiliate universities and organizations also use the CLAT exam for admissions and recruitment respectively. | BA + LLB, LLM (Integrated) | Candidates must have passed class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognized board or institution. Although there are no subject requirements during high school, English, Political Science and Math are useful for the entrance test. |
| Architecture | NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) is a national level exam for admissions to undergraduate courses in India. NATA is organized by the Council of Architecture. It is accepted by more than 600 colleges. | B.Arch | 10 + 2 examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or 10+ 3 Diploma with Mathematics. Although not required for the entrance test, it is useful to have art as a subject in grades 9th to 12th |
| Business, Commerce, Arts, Science | NPAT(National Test for Programs After Twelfth) is conducted by NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) to gain admission to undergraduate programmes at NMIMS . This test is accepted at all the NMIMS institutes across the country. | BBA, B.Sc Finance, B.Com (Hons), B.Sc Economics, BA (Hons), BBMM (Bachelor in Business Administration and Marketing) | In general, Math and English are required. Please check the course specific requirements based on the degree you want to pursue. |
| Business | IPMAT (Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test) IPMAT is conducted by IIM Indore and IIM Ranchi to admit students in their 5 year Integrated Programme in Management. Other Universities that accept IPMAT are: IIM (Indore), IIM (Ranchi), IIM (Rohtak), Institute of Management Nirma University, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and Department of Management Studies (DoMS), NALSAR University of Law. | BBA + MBA | No specific subject requirements. However the entrance test is quite competitive and requires Math and English. Additionally, Economics and Commerce work well with the curriculum. |
| Business, Commerce, Arts, Science | CUET(Central Universities Entrance Test) is a national level exam for admission to ug degree courses at Central Universities. Accepted by 73 universities and colleges across India. This number is expected to rise in numbers. | B.Sc, B.Com, BA, BBA | In general, Math and English are required. Please check the course specific requirements based on the degree you want to pursue. |
Several universities in India, including Ashoka University, O. P. Jindal Global University, Flame University and Symbiosis International University, have incorporated a holistic approach in their admissions process. Several of these universities also recognise SAT scores for admissions.
Just keep in mind that the grades or percentage you get in grades 9 – 12 are important for college admissions.
2) Studying in the UK after grade 12:
The UK is one of the most popular destinations for students all over the world. With access to leading technology, state-of-the-art laboratories, excellent faculty and established universities, it is a global powerhouse of science and research. Some popular streams are: Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Law, Business and Architecture. If you want to study in the UK then Math is crucial. As shown in the table below, Math is required for most of the streams be it Medicine, Engineering, Economics or Architecture. This is often a surprise for Commerce or Medicine students who did not opt for Math in grade 11 and subsequently developed an interest in the UK as a study destination. English should be a subject during high school. Additionally, students may need to appear for IELTS, TOEFL or PTE.
| STREAM | EXAM | DEGREE | SUBJECTS |
| Medicine | Elite Universities like Oxford and Cambridge require students to appear for their entrance test. | MB (Bachelor of Medicine), MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) | A Levels
A Levels in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Math. Most applicants have at least three Science/Math A Levels.
International Baccalaureate
Higher Levels in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Math. Competitive applications typically have Higher Levels in two science subjects and Math. Math AA, HL is considered best, Math AA, SL and Math AI, HL are also usually accepted. Math AI, SL is usually not accepted. Other Curriculum Equivalent qualifications for students from other curriculum like ICSE, CBSE etc. |
| Engineering | Elite Universities like Oxford and Cambridge require students to appear for their entrance test. | BEng, BTech, MEng | In general Colleges require: A Level/IB Higher Level Mathematics and Physics. Some colleges may require Chemistry also. Other Curriculum Equivalent qualifications for students from other curriculum like ICSE, CBSE etc. |
| Computer Science | Elite Universities like Oxford and Cambridge require students to appear for their entrance test. | BA (Computer Science), MCompSci | Math (A Level/IB Higher Level Mathematics or as per your curriculum) In general no prior knowledge of programming is required. |
| Economics | Elite Universities like Oxford and Cambridge require students to appear for their entrance test. | BA (Economics) | In general colleges require: A Level/IB Higher Level Mathematics. |
| Law | Elite Universities like Oxford and Cambridge require students to appear for their entrance test. | LLB | No specific subjects required by any Colleges. |
| Business | BA (Hons) Business Studies, Business and Management Studies (BSc) | No specific subjects required by any Colleges. | |
| Architecture | Elite Universities like Oxford and Cambridge require students to appear for their entrance test. You may be asked to write a short essay in response to a question. You may also be asked to discuss images or to observe and interpret a setting through a drawing. | BA Architecture (Hons) | In general colleges require: AS or A Level/IB Higher Level Mathematics or Physics, A Level/IB Higher Level in an essay-based subject Although there are no subject requirements during high school students are encouraged to study Art, Mathematics or Physics at A-level or IB Higher Level. |
3) Studying in the US after grade 12:
If you want to study in the USA then English and Math are crucial. For any course, be it Economics, Biology or Computer Science, US Universities look for students who are well-rounded, with diverse subject choices such as English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science and a Foreign language. For example, even those students who select engineering or business as a major must have taken sufficient courses in history and English to be considered a competitive applicant. All scores between grades 9-12 are reported on the transcript and are taken into consideration. Additionally, students can appear for Advanced Placement (AP) exams to demonstrate their proficiency in their favorite subjects. Some of the popular AP courses are Math, Physics, Economics, Psychology and Art. English should be a subject during high school. Additionally, students may need to appear for IELTS, TOEFL or PTE.
Extra-curricular activities, research papers, leadership positions and social contributions are crucial for admissions to top US universities.
Additionally, students cannot pursue professional studies such as medicine or law at the undergraduate level, these can only be studied as postgraduate courses after completing four years of college.
4) Studying in Canada after grade 12:
Math and English are crucial subjects for studying most of the courses in Canada. As shown in the table below, Math is required for most of the streams be it Life Sciences, Engineering, Economics or Architecture. This is often a surprise for Commerce or Biology students who did not opt for Math in grade 11 and subsequently developed an interest in Canada as a study destination. English should be a subject during high school. Additionally, students may need to appear for IELTS, TOEFL or PTE.
Students cannot pursue professional studies such as medicine or law at the undergraduate level, these can only be studied as postgraduate courses after completing four years of college.
Provided below is an indicative subject chart for IB students, planning to study in Canada. Similar subjects are required for other boards.
| Admission Category | Required Subjects | Recommended Admission Range* | Recommended Range for Required High School Subjects |
| Computer Science | English HL or SL Math SL or HL, Math Analysis and Approaches HL or SL, Math Applications and Interpretations HL | High 30s | English HL or SL – 6 to 7 Math HL or SL – 6 to 7 |
| Humanities | English HL or SL | Low to mid 30s | English HL or SL – 5 to 7 |
| Life Sciences | English HL or SL Math SL or HL, Math Analysis and Approaches HL or SL, Math Applications and Interpretations HL (Unlike India, you first need to complete four years of college and then apply to medical school) | Mid to high 30s | English HL or SL – 5 to 7 Math HL or SL – 5 to 7 |
| Mathematical and Physical Sciences | English HL or SL Math SL or HL, Math Analysis and Approaches HL or SL, Math Applications and Interpretations HL | Mid to high 30s | English HL or SL – 5 to 7 Math HL or SL – 5 to 7 |
| Commerce | English HL or SL Math SL or HL, Math Analysis and Approaches HL or SL, Math Applications and Interpretations HL | Mid to high 30s | English HL or SL – 6 to 7 Math HL or SL – 6 to 7 |
| Social Sciences | English HL or SL | Mid to high 30s | English HL or SL – 5 to 7 |
This table indicates the importance of Math even in subjects like Economics, Environmental Economics, Public Policy etc.
5) Studying in Australia after grade 12:
Math is a crucial subject for studying most of the courses in Australia. As shown in the table below, advanced Math and Physics are required for streams like Engineering and Economics. Chemistry is crucial for studying medicine in Australian Universities. Universities have a minimum entry requirement which is both university and programme-specific as well. For a STEM-related degree, for example, relevant science subjects in high school are required. For other non-STEM majors, universities require four or five core subjects including sciences, history and economics and a second language. English should be a subject during high school. Additionally, students may need to appear for IELTS, TOEFL or PTE.
| STREAM | EXAMINATION | DEGREE | SUBJECTS |
| Medicine | 1. UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) Some of the universities in Australia require students to appear for the UCAT and apply for entry into undergraduate courses: | B.Sc (Medical Science), BA Nursing B.Sc, B.Sc (Health Science) | Chemistry |
| Engineering | – | Bachelor of Engineering (honors) | Advanced Math. Physics. |
| Economics | – | BA Economics | Math. |
| Law | LSAT(The Law School Admission test) | Bachelor of Laws (Honors) | – |
| Computer Science | – | B.Sc, Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honors), Bachelor of Applied Business Analytics | – |
| Business | – | BBA, B.Com, Bachelor of International Business | – |
| Architecture | – | BArchDes (Bachelor of Architectural Design) | – |
6) Studying in Singapore after grade 12:
Singapore is renowned around the world for its academic excellence. Math and English are crucial subjects for studying most of the courses in Singapore. Math is required for streams like Engineering, Economics, Business, Computer Science and Architecture. Chemistry or Physics is required for courses like Medicine and Architecture. UEE (University Entrance Examination) is an exam for admission to undergraduate programs in Singapore.
| COURSE | EXAMINATION | DEGREE | SUBJECT |
| Medicine | The UEE (University Entrance Exam) paper is based on the GCE ‘A’ Level syllabus, and is a closed book examination. | MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) | Year 12 or higher level pass in Chemistry and Biology or Physics. |
| Engineering | B.Eng | Year 12 or higher level pass in Mathematics | |
| Economics | BA Economics | Year 12 or higher level pass in Mathematics | |
| Law | LLB | A high level of proficiency in the English Language (e.g. General Paper B, IELTS 7 or TOEFL iBT 100 or SAT Critical Reading/Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 700 or AP English Language Grade 4). | |
| Computer Science | BSc | Year 12 or higher level pass in Mathematics. | |
| Business | BBA | Year 12 or higher level pass in Mathematics. | |
| Architecture | BA (Arch) | Year 12 or higher level pass in Chemistry or Mathematics or Physics or Physical Science. |
Sometimes despite best efforts, students are still confused about what subjects to take.
Some guidelines to help students understand are given below:
- Do not drop math after grade 10 as this will limit your options.
- Engineering usually requires math and physics throughout high school.
- Business and Economics usually require a high level of math, especially in Canada and the UK.
- Most UK colleges require chemistry and math for studying medicine.
- For architecture, math and physics are usually required, while an art or design-based subject is useful. Several universities require art portfolios from students.
- For art and design, an arts-based subject or a related project is preferred. Also, you may be required to submit an art portfolio.
- Most of the professional courses in India require an entrance test. The test performance is the primary criteria for admission.
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