I’m sure there are some subjects you love and some that you hate. The problem comes when you have to choose your optionals, which is your first step towards your career planning. If you like both Maths and Science, then you take up the traditional PCMB combination, and keep all options open. Those who are not particularly fond of biology take up PCMCs or PCME and move towards engineering or related fields. What about those who like Maths but not Science, and those who like Science but not Maths?

ISC (11th and 12th standard after ICSE, which is now being offered by more than a dozen schools in Bangalore alone) does offer varying combinations that give a wider choice. National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) gives an even wider option to choose any combination of subjects (with or without languages). Coaching for 12th standard NIOS is being provided by Asha Kiran School (phone: 25258159 website: www.ashakiran.net) and a few others.

In the PUC stream, one can take up Business Maths combined with Statistics/Economics and the compulsory Business Studies and Accountancy. This helps those who like Math but are not interested in pursuing Science.  Maths at 10+2 level is also a prerequisite for those who wish to do MCA (Masters of Computer Applications).

Girls who are not fond of Maths have the option of studying Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Home Science (PCBH) which is offered by half a dozen colleges in Bangalore city alone. This entitles them to aim for a career in medicine or any other life sciences, but not for engineering.

Thus you can chart out a proper career path ensuring that there is no fear of failure or low marks in any particular subject that you dislike. Often it is found that there is a last minute rush and confusion when results come out and admissions are about to close. It is better to do one’s home work in advance, set some career goals, and then explore which courses, subjects and colleges to select.

Finding out the cut-off percentage of admissions (which have just closed for the current year 2007) will help in having a realistic picture which college or school to apply in. Otherwise many parents end up paying large sums of money and wasting time in getting application forms from innumerable institutions.