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By Jaya Singh
Class X students are anxiously waiting for their board exam results, which will be released around May 23-25. Some of you may be nervous. Some of you may be wondering what subjects to choose in Class XI.
Well, choosing the right subjects is as important as choosing the right stream.
These days, some schools even conduct entrance exams to help determine a student's interest in a particular field. By doing so, they try to ascertain whether you have a preference for a particular subject.
However, if your school does not have such a test, refer to Topper's guide, which explains the combinations available in the science stream. And then make a well-informed decision.
Quote To Note:
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"An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't."
-- Anatole France (1844 - 1924)
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This grid gives the basic structure of the science course followed by some CBSE schools:
Note: Besides these, you can also take Physical Education as an additional subject.
Choosing the right subjects
After you results are out, and you have achieved the minimum percentage required for science in your school, choose subjects based on what you want to do in the future. The science stream is divided into two parts as follows:
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Medical science as a career: Biology is a must. As optional subjects you could choose maths, economics, biotechnology and computer science. Simultaneously, you could also take informatics practices (this subject deals with designing, programming and developing database applications, and will help you gain programming skills, just in case you want to join the IT field).
- Engineering/ computer-related professions as a career: Maths is a must. Optional subjects like biology, economics, and informatics practices will allow you to still opt for medical, later Bachelor's of Business Administration (BBA) or journalism after clearing your Class XII board exam.
Note: If you choose the science stream after Class X, you will have more options to choose from after Class XII, and can even switch to arts and commerce streams during graduation, as well as fashion design, mass communication, etc. But what if you are absolutely sure you don't want to study science? Let's see what Topper's Resident Career Analyst Tunvey Gogia has to say.
From The Counsellor's Desk
"Choosing the right combination of subject depends on your interest, abilities and personality. On an average, students end up choosing subjects based on the percentage they score," says Tunvey.
The result: A rigourous admission process based mainly on percentage, does not allow them to choose the subjects of their choice. "Hence, many students graduate without any interest in what they are studying, and later in life, they don't get much job satisfaction," she adds.
Mantras To Get It Right
- Choose subjects based on your likes and dislikes.
We chatted with two Class XI students, to find out why they chose the science stream.
"Maths Keeps My Mind Sharp!"
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Neha Agarwal, Bluebells School International (Delhi): Mathematics, particularly calculation keeps my mind sharp. Moreover, numbers excite me. I love solving difficult problems. It was my love for maths that drew me towards science subject.
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Why Manish Took Science
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Manish, St Joseph's School (Shaktinagar): My parents thought that taking science after Class X is 'in' as subjects like arts and commerce are for average students. Even my parents took science after Class X, so they wanted me to continue the same legacy.
Tunvey’s advice to all students: Do consider your interest and capabilities, and accordingly choose the right stream.
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Science as a subject can lead to wider range of opportunities way beyond the more traditional engineering and medicine. Archaeology, biomedical science, health studies, pharmacology, wildlife conservation - these are also paths a science student can take, later in life. So choose, wisely!
