choices

Try our quiz!

Jot down your answers – A, B or C

1. What type of learning is best for you?
A) Course work.
B) Neither – I want to get a job.
C) Tests or exams.

2. How organised are you?

A) I always plan my course work and exam revision.
B) I do best at the subjects I know I’ll need for the job I want to do.
C) I often put course work off but I cope well with last minute revision at exam time.

3. How do you want to learn in the future?

A) I would like to do a full-time course leading to a career I’ve been thinking about.
B) I would prefer to work and take a part-time course.
C) I don’t have a particular career in mind but there are subjects I really enjoy and would like to study.

Did you answer mainly A, B, or C?

Mostly A
You are probably the sort of person who is well organised with their schoolwork and who prefers course work to exams and tests.

Courses which are based mainly on course work assessment, eg BTEC or OCR qualifications, might best suit your style of learning. These are specialist courses linked to a broad area of work, for example engineering, but not a specific job.  To pick the right one you need to think about what your broad career ideas are.

A and AS levels also have course work as part of the assessment – check this out with  your teachers.

A Diploma might also be an option as these courses are a mix of classroom study and practical learning.

Mostly B
You sound like someone who likes to get stuck into tasks, who has ideas about what type of work they want to do and who will prefer getting into a job rather than carrying on studying full time.

Getting work with training is worth considering. You would still be able to take a practical, job related qualification called a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ).

Mostly C
You sound like someone who does well in tests and exams, as well as course work. Perhaps you enjoy specific GCSE subjects so much that you want to carry on studying them? A or AS levels might be for you. To achieve success at A or AS level, you usually need GCSE C or above. You can mix and match A levels with other courses. You could also consider an Advanced Diploma.

Need help? Personal Advisers will see you in a group, or maybe for a one to one talk, but you can also see them at one of their lunchtime ‘drop-in' sessions in school. Check your notice boards for further details of times. If it is easier for you, visit or phone your local Connexions Centre.