How to Choose Your High-School Subjects

In South Africa, learners usually choose their subject combination at the end of Grade 9, which they then carry through Grades 10, 11 and 12 to matric. It is one of the first big decisions of your school career — and one worth getting right, because changing later can be difficult.

Compulsory vs elective subjects

Under the National Senior Certificate (NSC), every learner takes seven subjects. Four are compulsory for everyone:

• Your Home Language
• A First Additional Language
• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
• Life Orientation

You then choose three elective subjects (for example Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting, Business Studies, Geography, History, Engineering Graphics and Design, or Computer Applications Technology). The exact list depends on what your school offers, so always confirm the options with your school.

The biggest decision: Maths vs Maths Literacy

This is the choice that affects your future most. Pure Mathematics keeps the widest range of doors open. Many university programmes — including engineering, the health sciences, most B.Sc degrees, and a lot of commerce and accounting degrees — require Mathematics, not Mathematical Literacy.

Mathematical Literacy is a valuable subject in its own right and the right choice for many learners — but choose it knowing which university courses it may exclude.

Four questions to guide your electives

For each elective you are considering, ask:

1. Does it interest me? You will study it for three years — genuine interest makes good marks far more likely.
2. Am I good at it? Play to your strengths; strong marks lift your overall average and your Admission Point Score (APS).
3. Does a career I like need it? Work backwards from careers that appeal to you and check their required subjects.
4. Does it keep my options open? When unsure, choose the combination that leaves the most paths available.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Choosing a subject because your friends did. Their strengths and goals are not yours.
• Picking what seems "easy". An easy subject that closes doors is not a bargain.
• Ignoring university requirements. Check the entry requirements of courses you might want before you decide, not after.
• Deciding alone. Talk to teachers, your Life Orientation educator, and people working in fields you find interesting.

How MYFuture helps

MYFuture maps subjects to careers so you can see exactly which paths each combination keeps open, alongside grade tracking and career exploration built for South African learners. You can read our broader career guidance guide next, or explore your options after matric.