Whether you are planning which subjects to choose or struggling with your current choices of matric subjects, this guide will help you make practical decisions and move ahead with confidence.
Part of the difficulty of deciding matric subjects comes from the fact many students haven’t really explored which career they want to be in afterwards. But this shouldn’t be the problem here; you need to pick the subjects that interest you.
This guide contains comprehensive information on the general mistakes made by matric students when choosing their matric subjects. It will also walk you through steps to do well in matric.
Matric science subjects
- Physics
- Biology or Computers
- Chemistry
- Mathematics (compulsory)
- English (compulsory)
- Urdu (compulsory)
- Islamiyat (compulsory for muslim candidates)
- Pak Studies (compulsory)
- Ethics (compulsory for non-muslim candidates)
Matric arts subjects
- General science (compulsory)
- General maths (compulsory)
- English (compulsory)
- Urdu (compulsory)
- Islamiyat (compulsory for muslim candidates)
- Pak Studies (compulsory)
- Ethics (compulsory for non-muslim candidates)
Matric Optional subjects (students have to choose any two from these):
- Languages (Punjabi/Persian etc)
- Civics
- Education
- Computers
- Home economics
- Fine arts
Sample combinations of matric optional subjects are:
- Education, computers
- Education, home economics
- Education, fine arts
The matric examination takes place in two stages: SSC 1 and SSC 2.
Choose a subject that interests you
Whether you choose matric arts subjects or science, some subjects always appeal to you more than other subjects. You can brainstorm through your interests by writing down the subjects you enjoyed the most in class 7 and 8.
Focus on your career choice as well
Matric students do have an idea of what they are good at. However, sometimes students have a very vague idea of what they want to do after matric. So when you have to choose a subject, choose the ones that will keep your career choices open!
If you choose sciences, you will have maximum career choices later on. Sometimes, we know what we don’t want to be. That’s also great because that way you can eliminate the options of subjects you don’t want to study.
After some brainstorming, you can reach a conclusion when you talk it through with your family, friends, and teachers.
Word of advice: Don’t leave a subject just because you are good at it. If you are good at something, it will increase your chances to get really good marks for admission in college.
Once you have chosen the subjects, look forward.
By using the above mentioned advice, it is very likely that you can avoid mistakes while choosing subjects, appearing for exams, and revising at the right time. Still, if you feel that you chose the “wrong subject” then here is what you need to consider:
- It is probably too late to change your subjects, and if you are failing your tests or not finding yourself interested in the subjects then the mistake is not in the subject itself.
- You need to find the actual problem. Are you wasting time? Are you not studying seriously? Do you need help and you are not getting it for any reason?
- Imagine if someone explained the concepts to you differently, would you be more comfortable?
- Imagine if you were acing the tests, would you be better off?
In other words, there is no right or wrong subject once you have taken it. Now, you just need to become good at it with external help and personal struggle.
Revise and memorize concepts
Revision of concepts will help you retain concepts, no matter how well you have memorised them. The mistake students make here is that they shy away from revising much during matric days, delay the revision till exams and then it is too late.
Matric grading system
Both Part-I (9th class) and part-II (10th class) carry 550 each.
The matric grading system is very fair and students are able to get 100% in the final exams. Papers contain MCQs, subjective parts, and externally graded practicals (if applicable).
In 2023, The Punjab Education Board has decided to increase the total marks in the matriculation examination from 1100 to 1200 after an addition of an extra Quran Majeed subject which will carry another 100 marks.
How to focus on studies?
It is a common observation that students go through a lot of anxiety before and during matric exams. But you can choose to stay relaxed and not let it happen. You can do well in matric if you:
- Divide your studies over time. Don’t start too late otherwise you will panic.
- Do not skip classes just because you can catch up later. Nothing is more important right now than your studies.
- Give chapter tests at school. Again, don’t skip.
- Give monthly tests with full energy. Don’t think you have many chances to do it again.
- Give mock exams with seriousness. Take it like a real exam.
- Get enrolled in an academy with a goal in mind. Do not linger around or waste valuable time.
- Always take good notes that will help you revise and review for exams or tests.
How to take good notes for better grades?
Types of notes
- Sketchnotes use a mix of words, pictures, and symbols on paper.
- Longhand notes are notes taken on pen and paper (using symbols, abbreviations, long sentences, points etc).
You will never miss a point
Note taking will help you improve your memory and you will never miss a point if you keep a diary or a notebook with you.
Get better marks with notes
According to a research study, note takers achieve significantly higher marks than those who don’t take notes.
You will not feel bored or distracted in class
As a note taker, you will become a very attentive and active listener. Also it gives you the skill of thinking about several things at the same time, thus increasing your focus and multi tasking ability.
Note takers organise information better
When you take notes you are prioritising content. You write notes according to their importance and skip unnecessary details.
No shortcut to success!
Organised notes take time to write and are not a hasty effort at all! You will need to spend hours every week to prepare notes that you will review for exams.
Review your notes
Simply making notes isn’t enough. You need to make such notes that will help you review concepts for tests or exams. Research proves that reviewing notes is very effective for factual recall.
Summary writing skills improve
Students who take good notes are always good at summarising concepts! Good note takers are usually able to recall and connect necessary information for a presentation or a speech. In other words, note taking is a skill that is applicable to other aspects of learning as well, outside of matric studies!
Detailed notes are beneficial as well
If your purpose is to prepare notes for an essay which will require you to write a thesis statement and provide evidence to support your answer, then it is best to take detailed notes, as opposed to summarising ideas.
Sketchnotes have additional benefits
Using images and words to make notes have an added benefit of exercising different parts of your brain, thus making you a more efficient student.
Notes on paper is better
Research proves that it is better to make notes on paper than on laptop or phone. Multitasking on laptops and phones is reported to have a negative effect on students’ marks. Therefore, if you are taking online classes, it is always better to take notes on paper!
Note taking methods
If you want to use a tried and tested method of taking notes, go for the Cornell method, one of the note taking methods.
Developed by Walter Pauk in 1950, the Cornell method is a systematic method of condensing and organising notes into columns. The note page is divided into two columns. One column for notes is large and usually on the right side of the page. The other column on the left is narrower and meant for keywords.
Another variation of this method is the three column method which has space for teachers’ notes as well.
Study matric for free with Noon Academy
Noon Academy is offering scholarships to matric students. So, if you need extra help but cannot afford to pay the fee of academies, Noon Academy’s NOBLE program is helping matric students achieve good marks by studying for free.
Noon Academy was founded by Mohammad al-Dhalaan and Dr. Aziz al-Saeed in Saudi Arabia in 2013. It now offers courses in 5 countries to over 18 million students.
Noon launched its online learning platform in 2020 in Pakistan. It teaches the matric syllabus of Punjab, Federal, and other boards to prepare students for matric exams.
Features of the Noon App
- Free app download and registration
Noon app is available on Play Store and App Store. You just need a phone number to get registered and then you can join any board, class, and group.
- Teacher’s slides and notes
All classes are delivered using class slides. You will have access to teachers’ slides after classes are over.
- Whiteboard and writing tools
Teachers instruct with slides and presentations and also make use of highlighting and writing tools.
- Course timeline
All students can see a timeline of chapters already finished, currently in progress, and about to come next.
- Homework assignments
All free or paid courses come with regular homework assignments. You will receive a prompt of the homework when you will open the Noon app.
- Regular reminders
You will receive class reminders for all the courses you have registered for.
- Peer learning
The discussion forums and interactive classes are a way to learn from each other.
Go ahead and start learning at Noon! Download the Noon App today.