The Best Guide on Stream Selection after 10th Class

Which stream are you selecting? Every guest, relative, teacher and even friend that you meet during or after the 10th class has this question for you. It doesn’t just end at that question; they also come up with plenty of suggestions on which subject you must select. These questions make stream selection after the 10th class much more complicated.

Well, dear students, we at EnrichMyCareer understand the pain of students and parents, which is why we try to come up with informative blogs to help you. This blog talks about different streams available after the 10th class, and which one could be better for you.

Read along and find out more.

Stream Selection After 10th Class

Most educational boards maintain the same subjects until the tenth grade. These are Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, English and Second Language. However, these subjects are broadly categorized into three main streams after the 10th grade – Science, Commerce and Arts (or Humanities).

Let’s try to analyze each stream in detail.

Science

The stream of Science consists of four main subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Some boards offer additional subjects as well, such as IT or Computer Science and other optional subjects.

Physics: Physics is a concept-based paper that comes with mathematical sums. Students who love analytical thinking and math do very well in this subject.

Chemistry: Chemistry is a central science subject as it combines Mathematics, Biology, and Physics. Chemistry is further divided into three subparts: Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry. This subject requires practice, understanding, and learning.

Biology: This subject deals with living organisms and different life processes in detail. This subject requires comprehensive study and understanding of terminology as well as physiological and molecular processes.

Mathematics: The subject deals with numbers, patterns, structures, and formulas. It requires proper commitment from the student’s side and regular practice.

These subjects present three subject combination options to +2 students—PCB, PCM, and PCMB.

1. PCM Stream After 10th Class

The PCM stream includes Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and Language Papers. Students can opt for PCM if they like these subjects.

Higher education Possibilities:

Students who opt for PCM can go for further studies in pure and applied sciences like a Bachelor in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Technology, Engineering, Architecture, Aviation, Statistics, Defense, Computer Applications etc. A PCM candidate can also opt for non-science subjects like Commerce and Arts as an undergraduate.

Job Prospects:

A candidate with a PCM background can become an Engineer, Architect, Scientist, Astronaut, Statistician, Professor, or Government Officer like IAS, IFS, etc. With higher education and expertise, they can also become CEO, CFO, Managers, etc. For a PCM candidate, almost every option is open to exploration.

2. PCB Stream After 10th Class

PCB stream includes Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, and Language Papers. Students can opt for PCB if they have a keen interest in science but not a strong liking towards Mathematics.

Higher Education Possibilities:

It is a general perception that a candidate with a PCB background can either become a doctor or a nurse. The truth could not be further than that. A candidate can opt for so many subjects such as Pharmacy (B. Pharma), Biotechnology, Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Clinical Studies, Physiotherapy, Ophthalmology, Pathology, and so many more subjects.

Job Prospects:

Apart from becoming a doctor or nurse, a candidate can become a Scientist, Professor, School Teacher, Pathologist, Lab Technician, Microbiologist, Nutritionist, Dentist, Ayurveda Specialist etc. The possibilities are endless. Like PCM candidates, they can also become Government Officers, Administrators, CEOs, CFOs, etc.

3. PCMB Stream After 10th Class

PCMB candidates study all four science subjects, i.e., Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. This requires extra hard work as the students have an extra subject to study. These candidates can opt for both Medical and Engineering subjects. They also have the option to go with Commerce and Arts later on.

Note: A student who completes 12th with PCM, PCB or PCMB can later change their stream and can opt to complete their degree in Commerce or Arts too.

Commerce

This is another stream that can be considered for selection after the 10th class. The Commerce stream includes primarily five subjects: Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Mathematics/Informatics Practices (or other optional subjects), and English.

Accountancy: This paper deals with business transactions, taxation, balance sheets, and record keeping. It is the first step in learning business finances.

Business Studies: It is the most internationally searched subject. This subject deals with different aspects of business set-up, development and related issues. Business studies can be branched further into various streams like business administration, international business, and business management.

Economics: Economics is a subject that teaches students to use resources effectively for global and local issues. It also provides an understanding of concepts such as Supply and Demand.

Informatics Practices (IP): This subject deals with information and its sorting, processing, storing and communication. It uses computer applications.

Note: Besides Informatics Practices, there are few other Optional Subjects available or provided by institutions to Commerce students. These include Physical Education, Computer Science, Multimedia and Web Technology, Entrepreneurship, Legal Studies, Psychology and Fine Arts.

English: This is a compulsory subject. it is about language and literature, its understanding and uses.

Higher Education Possibilities:

Students with a Commerce background can opt for a range of business, finance, or management and related subjects. They can study a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Business Administration (BBA), Computer Applications (BCA), Chartered Accountancy (CA), Company Secretary (CS), Information System Management (ISM), Economics, etc.

Job Prospects:

It is true that the most anticipated jobs after Commerce are CA and CS, but that is just the surface. Although they cannot opt for scientific studies, possibilities are plenty. There are plenty of jobs in Accountancy, Banking, Investment, Management, Actuarial Science, Stockbroking, Finance, Business, Law and Hotel Management areas. A Commerce student can also opt for government or civil services and become an IAS, IPS or other designated officer and bureaucrat.

Note: A student who completes 12th with Commerce can later change their stream and can opt to complete their degree in Arts too but they won’t be eligible to choose Science.

Arts (Humanities)

The Arts stream is basically a great mix of Social Studies, Psychology, Legal Studies, Media Studies, Fine Arts, Music, etc. Stream selection after the 10th is tricky, especially for students who opt for the Arts. There is a social belief that the Arts are only chosen by weak students or that studying the Arts will never lead to a good or secure future. 

However, the reality is quite different. Though not considered as popular as Science and Commerce, the Arts stream presents a wider range of subject and career options. The main subjects in the Arts stream are History, Political Science, Geography, Literature, Sociology, Psychology, and Economics, and optional subjects include Maths, Home Science, Media Studies, Fashion Studies, Legal Studies, Physical Education, Music etc.

Students can select different subjects as per what’s available and their convenience and choice. Studying Arts opens up many doors and possibilities for the future.

Higher education Possibilities:

A candidate can go ahead with a bachelor’s in any of the arts or related subjects. Also, there are some opportunities that require extra training or certification after the 12th. These include Air Hostesses, Jewelry Designers, Graphic Designers, Fashion Designers, Shoe Designers, Bakers, Culinary Art, and so on.

Job Prospects:

A candidate from an Arts background can score a government or civil service job. They can also work in the private sector in various fields such as Journalism, Writing, Psychology, Psychiatry, Counselling, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Advertisements, etc. Moreover, many new fields such as Gender Studies, Museology, Gerontology, Public Policy etc. are also proving to provide interesting and promising career options to humanities students.

Note: A student who completes 12th with Arts or Humanities cannot later change their stream to Science in college due to non-eligibility, but they have the option to change it to Commerce if eligible or allowed in colleges.

Career Options Regardless Of Any Stream Selection After 10th Class

A few careers which are stream-neutral and can be opted by anyone are Civil Services, Hotel Management, Psychology, Law, Foreign Languages, Travel and Tourism, Literature, Design, Fine Arts etc.

The world is changing by the minute. The new world creates new opportunities that cannot or should not be associated with one subject or stream. Anyone with a passion can follow their path and become successful. These jobs are referred to as unconventional, offbeat and farfetched, but they are as real as any other job. Some such jobs are Social Media Influencer, Content Writer, Standup Comedian, Author, Musician, Actor, Video Creator, Filmmaker, Dancer, Politician, Social Entrepreneur, Inventor, Radio Jockey, etc.

Making a Decision on Stream Selection After 10th

And now we are at the crossroads of a reality check. No matter how well each subject is explained to you, it comes down to your decision. It gets overwhelming for a high school student. So let me make it simple for you. We have a dos and don’ts list for you.

Dos:

• Pick a stream that will take you closer to your goals.
• Pick subjects you really love to study, and also can score well in.
• Consider your family’s socioeconomic status.
• Have an open discussion with your parents about your decision and your concerns.
• Find a career counsellor who can help you select a stream that will suit your personality and learning style.

Don’ts:

• Don’t select a stream just because your friends picked it or because of any sort of pressure.
• Don’t worry about being left alone.
• Don’t select or reject a subject because of fear or perception of it being a tough/easy subject.
• Don’t choose a subject because everyone is talking about it.
• Don’t select a major because it was your parent’s dream.

Conclusion

So here it was. Everything there is to know about stream selection after the 10th class. We have discussed different subjects in each stream and possible career options. We also discussed a few quick dos and don’ts.

Finally, we would like to conclude with this: the selection of a stream is an important decision, but it does not have the power to alter your life or dreams. This decision affects your future career options to some extent, but it is not the end of everything.

If you feel it is getting out of hand or you are struggling to make the right decision, it is highly recommended to take help from a professional career counselling firm such as EnrichMyCareer. Book an appointment today and open the doors to new possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which stream is best for students after 10th class?

There is no such thing as the best or worst stream. Each stream is as special as the other. So, choose a stream and corresponding subjects that you feel are right for you and your career path.

2. Which stream is toughest after the 10th?

People tend to consider Science as one of the toughest streams as it requires in-depth study. However, this is not entirely true. Each stream Science, Arts, or Commerce, comes with some easy-to-grasp chapters and some “tough chapters”. Your selection should not be based on which is easy or tough. Also, what may be easy for you may be tough for another student and vice versa.

3. How do I choose the right stream?

You must choose the right stream by considering your interests, capabilities, learning style, goals, socioeconomic status, and other factors. If you have any doubts, you must consider talking to a professional career counsellor. They can give you the right advice, but remember that the choice must be yours.