Choosing your GCSEs is one of the most important decisions you can make as a teenager. We have compiled a list of the Easiest GCSE subjects to help you in selecting the perfect GCSE combination. This list is also applicable for students studying IGCSE or O-level qualifications.
The list of the 10 Easiest GCSEs is based on the general consensus of students. How easy a student finds a subject depends on several factors; such as the amount of memorisation required, the complexity of the subject, and the length of the syllabus. It also depends on the prior knowledge of the students, their preferences and their passions.
What are the Easiest GCSE Subjects:
- GCSE Geography
- GCSE Film Studies
- GCSE Religious Studies
- GCSE Media Studies
- GCSE Hospitality and Catering
- GCSE Business Studies
- GCSE Drama
- GCSE Physical Education
- GCSE Design and Technology
- GCSE Sociology
This article should not discourage you from taking a subject that is not on the list of the Easiest GCSEs. You should select subjects that are considered difficult especially if you require them as pre-requisites for A-levels and University.
1. GCSE Geography
Geography is the easiest GCSE subject. GCSE geography is a straightforward subject, the content is simple and easy to understand, and the marking is quite lenient. You can easily get a high grade in GCSE geography without too much effort.
The GCSE Geography textbook is self-explanatory and much of the content is highly applicable and common knowledge.
For instance, you will learn why production from farming is lower during the winters. You probably know this from before! Another example would be that a stronger economy means more access to schools, hospitals, and libraries. This is quite easy to relate to.
Geography is divided into two major parts: human and physical. Physical geography deals with climate, natural hazards, rivers, types of land, other water bodies, precipitation etc.
Human geography is the relationship between people and places. It examines human societies with a strong focus on the economic, cultural, and political aspects and the impact the environment has on shaping them.
GCSE geography has 3 papers according to the AQA Specification. The examiners give students a choice in the more difficult questions. Moreover, there is relatively straightforward mapwork involved as well. The questions are to the point. Most of the questions focus on fact-recall and very few questions require critical analysis. These factors together make Geography the easiest GCSE subject.
2. GCSE Film Studies
Film Studies is one of the easiest GCSE subjects. It is considered so easy by most students as it is extremely enjoyable and fun. You are required to watch films through the course and critically analyse it in terms of cinematography, lighting, sound, props, and clothing. The absence of complicated maths and science makes GCSE Film Studies so easy.
Film Studies is basically watching films and analysing them. Easy access to Netflix, Youtube, video editing software and smartphones has made Film Studies so much more relevant applicable in our lives. It also explains the increasing popularity of the subject.
If you make videos with a smartphone or upload videos on Youtube/ other social media platforms then you already know the basics of Film Studies. You would probably be aware of editing context, props, clothing, lighting, sound etc.
The subject requires you to maintain an e-portfolio. You will be required to submit a film extract, a screenplay extract, a shooting script, and provide evaluative analysis.
You will mostly be marked for demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the elements of the film, comparative analysis, and applying that knowledge and understanding practically. You can find more info here.
3. GCSE Religious Studies
Religious Studies is amongst the Easiest GCSE subjects. GCSE Religious Studies considered so easy because the content is straightforward and fairly uncomplicated, the exams allow you to express your opinions and views, and the syllabus is relatively short.
The first part of Religious Studies comprises the basic beliefs of various religions including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism.
The other half of religious studies explores philasophical and ethical themes such as Existence of God, Crime and Punishment, Human Rights and Social Justice and Relationships and Families.
Another reason why GCSE Religious Studies is relatively easy is that it is so relevant to our lives. Moreover, most people are quite aware of the beliefs and practices of other religions.
The exams are essay-based and if you are good with writing, presenting your opinion convincingly, and backing it up with evidence then Religious Studies will be a piece of cake for you. You can find more information about the subject here.
4. GCSE Media Studies
Media Studies is also amongst the easiest GCSE subjects. Media Studies is considered easy as the subject content is very interesting and applicable, the exams are simple, and the examiners mark leniently. Most students who study Media Studies find it easy-peasy and quite enjoyable.
Media Studies is the study of media language, representation, industries, and audiences. Students are required to explore various media product including television, film, radio, newspapers, magazines, advertisements and video games.
Practically everyone is aware of the different kinds of media products; their relevance, advantages, disadvantages, features etc. The parts that you have not yet studied are self-explanatory and easy to understand. You will be expected to analyse various products in the exams, but the level and depth of analysis are quite basic.
The written-exams comprise 70% of the grade according to the AQA Specification. A whopping 30% of the grade is based on coursework. You can easily ace the coursework aspect of Media Studies as you will have loads of time and nearly unlimited resources.
The course requires basic analysis but is devoid of any complex math or science questions. The classes are generally lively and you can expect lots of discussions, projects and presentations. The syllabus is relatively short when compared to other subjects.
You should definitely go for Media Studies if you are looking for an easy, fun and fairly straightforward subject.
5. GCSE Hospitality and Catering
GCSE Hospitality and Catering is considered an easy subject. This is due to the easy exams, easy and simple subject content to learn, relatively short syllabus, and absence of complicated and challenging questions.
GCSE Hospitality and Catering are divided into two sections: the hospitality and catering industry, and hospitality and catering in action (practical aspect). Students are required to have a strong understanding of the industry and also know how to implement that knowledge in the field.
The theoretical part focusses on acquiring knowledge of all aspects of the industry and propose relevant suggestions and improvements. Your suggestion must consider legal and financial viability as well as other factors.
The practical side of GCSE Hospitality and Catering will expect you to prepare nutritional dishes whilst keeping safety and presentation in mind. You must also learn other skills like Hospitality which are beyond the kitchen environment.
The marking is lenient and the students find Hospitality and Catering quite easy. However, some students struggle with practically implementing their catering and hospitality skills. This is an aspect you must master when studying for this subject.
You can find more information about this subject here.
6. GCSE Business Studies
Business Studies is among the easiest GCSEs. Business Studies has fairly simple and self-explanatory content, very little complex maths or science is involved, easy exams with many short and multiple-choice questions. Overall, most students find GCSE Business Studies quite easy.
Business studies is the study of how different kinds of business work and the issue they face. You will study various businesses from small to large multi-national companies. You will also get a chance to explore how factors such as finances, human resources, country, laws, and costs affect a business.
You will be expected to critically analyse a business in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts. However, the level of analysis required is quite basic and applying your knowledge in various contexts in GCSE Business Studies is quite easy to do.
The content is very simple to understand and mostly common-sense. Furthermore, there will be several short questions and MCQs which require you to recall facts. These are free-marks as long as you study for the subject.
If you can get a C/4 in GCSE Mathematics then you will not have any major issues with the maths involved in GCSE Bussiness Studies. The level of maths needed for GCSE Economics and Accounts is much more difficult than that required for GCSE Business Studies.
You can find more information about the subject here.
7. GCSE Drama
Next on the list of easy subjects we have GCSE Drama. Drama is considered an easy subject because the syllabus is relatively short, the content is easy to understand, there are no difficult math equations, and there is a good balance between practical and theoretical work.
Drama is also one of the most enjoyable and fun subjects. There are lots of presentations, dramas, and discussions. The classes are generally lively and you will be allowed to express your ideas and actions.
You will get a chance to learn about the different genres, structures, characters, forms, styles, languages, sub-texts, pace, rhythms, as well as social, historical and cultural contexts.
You will also learn how meaning is interpreted and communicated using various techniques such as the space between characters on stage, the design of props and costumes, the use of lighting and sound, and the use of colour and texture.
A written exam worth 40% will be used to assess your understanding of drama. These questions are easy and straightforward.
Moreover, GCSE Drama also has 2 practical components which make up 60% of the grade where you are required to devise a drama and take up one of the following roles: performer, lighting designer, sound designer, set designer, costume designer, puppet designer. You will be required to do your work as part of a group.
Luckily, the practical components can be practised over and over again, until you have completely mastered them. You will get several choices in selecting the plays and text you want to perform and design.
The reason many students find GCSE Drama so easy is because most of the grade comes from your performance and designing skills. You will have nearly unlimited resources and time to ace this section. So you can bid adieu to exam anxiety for most of the subject.
You can find more information about AQA GCSE Drama over here.
8. GCSE Physical Education
The reason GCSE Physical Education is considered amongst the easiest GCSEs is because the content is easy and straightforward, the syllabus is relatively short,and a large percentage (40%) of the overall grade is based on a practical assessement.
Physical Education focusses on two major aspects: the human body and movement in physical activity and sport, socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport.
The section covering the human body and movement is based on Biology. You will go overt the musculoskeletal system and the cardio-respiratory system. These systems will be studied in great detail, however, most of the questions asked will not require complex critical-analysis, instead, recalling facts will be sufficient.
In the human body and movement, section will also learn about several subtopics such as aerobic and anaerobic exercise, effects of exercise, analyse different kinds of joints/bones and their relevant movements, how to measure fitness, how to avoid injuries, and learn how to effectively collect, present, and interpret data.
The socio-cultural and well-being section focusses on sports psychology, how to mentally prepare for optimal performance, engagement pattern of different social groups and the factors affecting participation, commercialization of sports, ethical issues in sports, and overall health and fitness.
Overall the content in GCSE Physical Education is quite simple and easy to understand. You would probably be familiar with a great chunk of the subject matter since it is so relevant to our lives.
In addition to this, a large portion of the grade (40 % to be precise) comes from a practical component for which you will have nearly unlimited time and resources. You can practice the practical over and over again until you have completely mastered it. These factors together make GCSE Physical Education amongst the easiest GCSEs.
You can find more information about the subject here.
9. GCSE Design and Technology
GCSE Design and Technology is viewed as one of the easiest GCSE subjects. This is because the subject content is easy to understand, there is a non-exam component which makes up half of the grade, and there is no complex mathematics or science involved.
The subject content of GCSE Design and Technology is divided into three parts:
- core technical principles
- specialist technical principles
- designing and making principles
The core technical principles section is based on making relevant decisions and learning about new and emerging technologies, energy generation and storage, developments in new materials, systems approach to designing, mechanical devices, and materials and their working properties.
The second module, specialist technical principles, focus on using and working with different types of materials, scales of production, specialist techniques and processes, surface treatments and finishes, forces and stresses, ecological and social footprint. This part prepares students to build upon their understanding from the first section and learn advanced and specialist techniques.
Finally the designing and making principles unit teaches students building and designing skills. In this division, you will learn material management, how to create prototypes, design strategies, investigate primary and secondary data, the work of other renowned designers, and the environmental, social, and economic challenges.
The content is largely straightforward, there are no difficult concepts or tough mathematics involved, and 50% of the grade is based on a non-exam practical component. These ingredients together enable GCSE Design and Technology to be part of the Easiest GCSE subjects.
More information regarding the subject can be found in the AQA Specification.
10. GCSE Sociology
The list of the easiest GCSEs concludes with Sociology. Sociology is a straightforward subject with easy concepts to grasp, is leniently marked, is highly relevant to our lives, and has no difficult and complex mathematics or science involved.
Sociology is often referred to as an “Easy A Subject” Sociology is definitely an easy subject but you must revise the concepts, practice the past paper questions, and learn the essay structure that the examiners demand.
Sociology is the study of the structure, functioning, and development of human society. You would probably be familiar with a large portion of the subject content as it is highly relevant to our lives.
Unlike Chemistry or Physics where you can experiment with your hypothesis in the labs and prove/disprove them; in Sociology, you need to refer to former Sociologists and their findings. Their experiments are also known as, “case-studies.” It is not feasible to perform complex experiments at the GCSE-level for Sociology.
The major topics in GCSE Sociology are the various types of families, roles of individuals in a family, roles and functions of education, the impact of capitalism in education, educational achievement, crime and deviance, social control, power and authority, socio-economic class, poverty, and sociological research methods.
You can find more information about GCSE Sociology here.
Conclusion
You should not select a subject purely based on how easy it is; instead, it should only be one of the many determining factors. In fact, the most important consideration is how relevant the subject is in achieving your goals and aspirations. Good luck!
