Chapter Schools · Careers Education
Career Myth Busting Quiz
Activity SheetY9 / Y10Gatsby Benchmark 2⏱ 10 min

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🎯 How it works: Read each statement. Circle TRUE or FALSE for each one. At the end, your teacher will reveal the answers and explain the facts. Keep track of your score!
15 Career Statements — True or False?
1
You need a university degree to become a qualified accountant.
TRUE
FALSE
2
Top plumbers in the UK can earn more than £80,000 per year.
TRUE
FALSE
3
Creative jobs (art, music, design) don't pay well.
TRUE
FALSE
4
You can become a qualified nurse through a degree apprenticeship without paying tuition fees.
TRUE
FALSE
5
AI and robots will replace most human jobs within the next 10 years.
TRUE
FALSE
6
Train drivers in the UK earn more than the national average salary.
TRUE
FALSE
7
Most people stay in the same career for their whole working life.
TRUE
FALSE
8
A university degree always leads to higher earnings than an apprenticeship.
TRUE
FALSE
9
The UK's biggest employer is the NHS.
TRUE
FALSE
10
Working-class students are just as likely as middle-class students to go to university in the UK today.
TRUE
FALSE
11
You need maths A-Level to work in finance or banking.
TRUE
FALSE
12
The average UK student graduates with over £40,000 in debt.
TRUE
FALSE
13
Women are under-represented in engineering and technology careers in the UK.
TRUE
FALSE
14
Once you choose your GCSE options, your career path is fixed.
TRUE
FALSE
15
Self-employed tradespeople (electricians, plumbers, builders) can earn £60,000–£100,000+ per year.
TRUE
FALSE

My Score: / 15

📋 Answer Key with Explanations
1.
FALSE
You can qualify as an accountant through a school-leaver apprenticeship with firms like KPMG and PwC — no degree needed. ACA/ACCA can be studied via on-the-job training.
2.
TRUE
Self-employed master plumbers in London and the South East regularly earn £70k–£100k+, especially those who run their own business. Average is around £35–45k employed.
3.
FALSE
Senior graphic designers earn £45–70k. Architects earn £40–100k. Film directors can earn millions. The creative industries contribute £116bn/yr to the UK economy.
4.
TRUE
Nursing degree apprenticeships are now available through the NHS — fully funded by the employer and government. Apprentices earn a wage while training.
5.
COMPLEX
Some jobs will change or disappear, but AI is also creating new roles. The World Economic Forum estimates AI will eliminate 85 million jobs but create 97 million new ones by 2025.
6.
TRUE
UK train drivers earn £50,000–£75,000 on average — well above the national average of £35k. Entry is via a driver trainee programme (no degree required).
7.
FALSE
The average person changes career (not just job) 5–7 times in their working life. GCSE options and even degree subjects don't lock you into one path forever.
8.
FALSE
Degree apprentices often earn more by their mid-20s — they have 3+ years of work experience, no debt, and are already established in their employer. The "graduate premium" takes years to materialise.
9.
TRUE
The NHS employs over 1.4 million people in England, making it the largest employer in the country and one of the five largest employers in the world.
10.
FALSE
Despite improvements, students from the most deprived areas are still significantly less likely to attend university. This is an ongoing equity challenge in UK education.
11.
FALSE
Many banks and finance firms recruit school leavers directly. Maths GCSE at grade 5+ is usually sufficient. Some roles require it at A-Level, but many do not.
12.
TRUE
The average UK student loan debt at graduation is approximately £45,000 for students starting after 2012 — though repayment is income-contingent and many never repay in full.
13.
TRUE
Only 16% of engineering professionals in the UK are women, and just 24% of computing roles. Organisations like WISE and Code First Girls are working to change this.
14.
FALSE
GCSEs are important but they don't lock your career. Most successful professionals have pivoted from their original direction. Transferable skills matter far more than specific subject choices.
15.
TRUE
Self-employed electricians and plumbers in high-demand areas regularly earn £60–100k+. The UK has a significant skilled trades shortage, pushing earnings higher year on year.
Discussion Prompts
Which answer surprised you most today, and why?
Has today changed how you think about any career? If so, which one and how?
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