Gina,

1. - 3. The combo box on the Main Form should be unbound. You do not need
to save the value for anything.
got it.

4. Subform should be in continuous view and attached to the Main Form (Link
Fields) StudentID. Then the field Student Subject should be a combo box
using the tblSubjects as the Record Source and the value should be bound to
the ssStudentSubject.
-how do i (or when in the wizard do i) link the subform to the main form?
-tried setting "Source object" for subform to main form but when i try to
link child/master fields, get message stating "cant link unbound forms"

tried all above 1)new record is created in tblStudentSubject w/ correct
subject from cbo in subform but 2)studentID is blank.