Easiest GCSE Subjects to Get a Grade 9 in 2026

Are you struggling to choose your GCSE options? Are you not sure which ones might be right for you? Maybe you have questions like, ‘What if it’s too hard?’ or ‘What’s an easy GCSE?’ Perhaps you’ve already started your GCSEs and want some reassurance that you’ve chosen the right ones.

In this article, we will give you all the facts about the best GCSEs to achieve a grade 9 and how to pick the easiest GCSE subjects for you.

Key Takeaways

• Subjects with the highest grade 9 rates (e.g. Other Modern Languages, Classical Subjects, Sciences) may appear “easier” for top grades, but this often reflects cohort size and subject entry patterns.

• High pass-rate subjects don’t always match high grade 9 subjects - getting a pass is very different from achieving a top grade.

• The “easiest” GCSE is personal, so choices should be driven by strengths, learning style, and interest - not just performance data.

Easiest GCSE Subjects to Get a 9: Ranked

We looked at the JCQ GCSE results data for England from 2025 (opens in a new tab) and picked out the subjects with the highest percentage of grade 9s. This may suggest that the subject is easier. However, there are many factors to consider when choosing your GCSEs, such as learning style, workload, and engagement.

Keen to excel in science? Take a look at our articles for specific guidance on how to achieve a grade 9 in Biology and Chemistry.

Easiest GCSE Subjects by Pass Rate

You might not be aiming for a grade 9. Instead, you want to know the GCSE subjects that have the highest pass rates. This means the subjects with the highest percentage of grades at 4 or above.

What Makes a GCSE “Easy”?

There is no single ‘easy GCSE’. There are so many factors to take into consideration, including:

• Whether the GCSE is exam or coursework-led

• The learning style of the student

• Whether schools allow all students to take the subject or not

Let’s delve a little deeper into each factor.

Exams versus Coursework

Some subjects are 100% exams, such as Maths. Others have a proportion of the overall grade attributed to coursework. Subjects that include coursework include:

• Food preparation and nutrition

• PE

• Art & Design

Whether a subject is 100% exam-based or has coursework means that different students will be suited to these subjects. For example, if you struggle with time management or independent learning, then a coursework-based subject may not be right for you.

Practicals versus Written Assessments

Assessment can take different forms, such as practical or written assessments. 

Practical assessments are required in GCSEs such as Food Preparation & Nutrition and PE. The sciences have a set of required practicals that all students are expected to carry out, although these practicals are assessed through terminal exams. 

Other subjects are 100% written assessment through exams, such as Maths and English Literature. When choosing your GCSE subjects, it is important to think about whether a practical assessment is suited to your learning style and skills. 

Personal Interests and Academic Strengths

Every person has a unique set of skills and strengths. This individual skill set should be taken into account when choosing GCSE subjects. 

• Are you good at time management? 

• Are you creative? 

• Do you enjoy research? 

• Do you learn through being practical? 

• Are you musical? 

• Do you enjoy reading? 

Take some time to think about your skills and strengths, and assess which subjects and learning styles you would be best suited to. 

Avoid picking your GCSE subjects based on your friends’ skills, strengths and interests, as this may lead you to struggle throughout your GCSEs, leaving you with grades that don’t reflect your true abilities.

Subject Combinations

Considering subject combinations is another important factor when choosing your GCSE subjects. 

If you pick options that are entirely coursework-based, check the deadlines - is there a clash between subjects that will leave you cramming in three lots of GCSE coursework projects in one term? 

Some subjects naturally complement each other, but again, depending on your skills. If you like writing essays, then History may work well alongside English Literature or Religious Studies. 

If you enjoy learning about the natural world, then Biology may sit well with Geography. Or if your thing is people and society, then consider Psychology and Sociology. Avoid choosing GCSEs based on what you think will be easy and require the least effort. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Taking Easier GCSEs Affect University Applications?

Taking ‘easier’ GCSEs will not directly affect university applications. Universities will be looking at a range of factors, including your GCSE results, A Level (or equivalent) results, any volunteer work you have been involved in, your extracurricular activities and your unique skills and strengths. 

Each university and subject will have its own set of criteria, so it is worth investigating this before choosing your GCSEs (and A Levels) if you know the career path you want to take. 

Can I Just Pick Easy GCSEs?

There is no single easy GCSE. Every student will find each GCSE challenging for different reasons. What may come naturally and easily to you may be a huge learning hurdle to someone else. Think about your own academic strengths and abilities rather than trying to work out what an ‘easy’ GCSE is.

Should I Pick an Easy GCSE Even If I Don’t Enjoy It?

GCSE subjects should be chosen based on academic strengths, interests, learning styles and a student’s unique skill set. Each GCSE is 120–200 hours of learning. Ask yourself if you want to spend that time studying something you don’t enjoy. The answer is probably no!

What Are The Easiest Exam Boards?

Each exam board is regulated by an independent organisation called the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) (opens in a new tab). This means that every exam board uses the same set of criteria in its specifications to ensure that each is equivalent to the others. 

This results in an equal level of challenge in content and assessment style across all exam boards. Schools choose the exam board based on several criteria, and this is not something that students or their parents/carers have any control over. 

Ace Your GCSEs with Save My Exams

Here at Save My Exams, we aim to develop high-quality, affordable revision resources. Our resources are written and created by leading specialists who know their subjects inside and out. We pride ourselves on being exam-board specific, so you can trust that you’re getting the right information for your course. Good luck with your revision!

Explore Our GCSE Revision Resources  

References

JCQ - GCSE (England) Main subjects and grades data (opens in a new tab)

Ofqual (opens in a new tab)