What are 'good' and 'bad' GCSE options?

Design tech. Our DS is academic and wanted to take a second foreign language, but the design teacher and form teacher both recommended a "tech" to make his GCSE options more rounded. He was never any good practically, but they told him it was all about design and the actual "making" would be mostly by CAD/CAM and laser cutter etc, so he fell hook, line and sinker. In the end, his design teacher left and the class had a succession of cover teachers, none of who were "qualified" to use the computer suite so all the design/making had to be done by hand. Instead of a grade 9 (the grade he got in the other MFL he did take) he ended up with a D (Old syllabus last year).

drama is partly group based and so the work (or lack of work) of others in the group will affect the final grade we avoided drama for this reason. Art is a very time hungry subject. Although subjects which are coursework heavy mean less exam time, art does seem extreme and can mean you don't have as much time to keep up with work.

I don't think it's a simple as that, it depends on the overall mix she has.

Both my Dc's stuck the the EBAC idea (ds1 by choice, DS2 because his school insist on it). So, English, maths, science, a mfl, a humanities. The last choice/choices could be anything (- just something that they are good at and enjoy.

DS1 too the other humanities. DS2 chose music and computing.

What does she enjoy?

Secondary teacher here... I wouldn’t deem any soft since all the changes a few years ago! I would say go with what they enjoy the most... if you enjoy it/interested in it you are more likely to do well at it!

Depends the kind of job DD fancies, if unsure they maybe a variety is better.

DS1 should not have taken drama. He is very bright and was hoping for straight 8s and 9s but drama is partly group based and so the work (or lack of work) of others in the group will affect the final grade. He's finding it very frustrating.