First-year subjects outside the total: study them or skip?

The short answer

First-year Bachaloria has six subjects that count toward the total and three that don't:

Second foreign language
Programming and computer science
Religious education — pass or fail, and you need at least 70%

"Outside the total" does not mean "don't study it".

Why you still have to

They are pass or fail. Fail one and moving up a year is at risk.
Religion has a high bar. The assistant minister said it is outside the total but requires at least 70% to pass — and it is an entry condition for students arriving with an equivalent certificate.
The second language counts in year two if you take the Arts track and choose it instead of psychology. What you build now may be marked next year. Where the second language counts
Programming continues with you if you take Engineering & Computer Science in year two. Does programming count?

How to split your time

The six counted subjects take most of it; they are the base of your specialised subjects.
Religion: short regular revision is enough for 70%.
Second language: fifteen minutes a day beats two hours the night before. Languages are built by repetition.
Programming: do the small projects yourself. It is learned by doing, not memorising.

One caveat about religious education

Sources disagree: July 2025 reports put it inside the total among seven subjects, but every 2026 source — most recently the assistant minister in August 2026 — says outside the total, pass mark 70%. Take the newer one, and check with your school.

On GoBachaloria

First-year subjects are there with teachers to choose between, and the first 5 videos in each are free.

Sources

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