Choosing Subjects When the Aggregate Is 24, Not 15
Efua is a General Arts student in a senior high school in Cape Coast, preparing for the May/June WASSCE. She wants to read Economics at the University of Ghana. She has registered for eight subjects: English Language, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Economics, Geography, Government and Literature. Her mock grades are: English C5, Core Mathematics D7, Integrated Science C6, Social Studies B3, Economics B2, Geography C4, Government C6, Literature B3. She is considering replacing Literature with French, or dropping Integrated Science to create more study time for Core Mathematics. The school's deadline for subject changes is next week. For her target programme, she needs credits in English, Core Mathematics and three electives including Economics, and she wants an aggregate of 15 or better. She has a strong French background but has not sat a French mock.
1. Calculate Efua's current best-six aggregate and identify the main obstacle to her target.
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Her best six are three core subjects plus three electives. Core: English C5 = 5, Core Mathematics D7 = 7, and the better of Social Studies B3 = 3 and Integrated Science C6 = 6, so Social Studies counts as 3. Core total = 15. Electives: Economics B2 = 2, Literature B3 = 3, Geography C4 = 4. Government C6 = 6 is weaker and is not counted. Elective total = 9. Aggregate = 15 + 9 = 24. Her target is 15 or better, so she is nine points away. The main obstacle is Core Mathematics: a D7 is not a credit and adds 7 points instead of a credit-grade score. English C5 also adds unnecessary points. Improving Core Mathematics to C4 or better and English to C4 would reduce the aggregate substantially, while the elective choices are already sensible.
2. Should she drop Integrated Science or replace Literature with French? Give reasons.
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She should do neither without stronger evidence. Dropping Integrated Science removes a core science subject that may be required for some programmes and leaves her with no backup if her Social Studies grade falls. For Economics, Social Studies can serve as the third core, so Integrated Science may not count in her best six, but keeping it costs nothing at the aggregate stage and preserves options. Replacing Literature B3 with French is risky because French has not been mock-tested; a strong background is not the same as a proven grade. She would be exchanging a secure B3 for an unknown result. Government C6 is weaker than Literature B3, so Literature is one of her better electives. The rational choice is to keep the combination and redirect the time into Core Mathematics and English.
3. What concrete steps should she take about Core Mathematics before the exam, and what is the consequence of a D7?
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A D7 in Core Mathematics is not a credit, so she cannot meet the minimum entry requirement for Economics at the University of Ghana regardless of how good her aggregate is in other subjects. She must aim for at least C6. Before the exam she should diagnose her weak topics from the mock, practise timed past questions, attend remedial classes if the school offers them, and work through marked scripts with her teacher. She should not drop Mathematics, because it is compulsory for university entry. If she still obtains D7, she would need to re-sit Core Mathematics as a private candidate in a later diet, which would delay her admission by at least a year. That is why the next few weeks of Mathematics preparation matter more than changing her elective combination.