Matric Results: Everything You Need to Know

Matrics, we know you’ve been working hard on revising and studying for your final exams! In fact, you’ve been working towards these exams for the last 12 years. The National Senior Certificate is an incredible achievement that shows the rest of the world that you have successfully completed all the required years of schooling. Today we are covering everything you need to know about your Matric results. By the end of this post, you will know how your Matric results are calculated, what is required to pass Matric, what each symbol means, as well as where to view your Matric results. 

 

How are Matric results calculated?

Your Matric results are a combination of two things:

1. Class work, assignments, tests and exams that you do throughout the year (these internal school-based assessments all count for 25% of the final mark). 
2. The external final exam for each subject written at the end of the Matric year (this counts for 75% of your final mark). 

 

The two criteria above make up 100%, with the exception of Life Orientation which is entirely an internal assessment. 

 

Depending on the type of school you attend, the way in which the school-based assessments are divided to make up the 25% can vary. The final exams can also be split unevenly to make up the other 75%. We recommend asking your school before trying to calculate your own results. 

 

What marks are required to pass Matric?

In order to pass Matric, you will need to pass your home language with at least 40% and 2 other subjects with 40%. You can fail one subject, as long as you achieve 30% or more for the remaining 6 subjects, making 6 passes in total. 

 

Always check the requirements for entering the institution you wish to attend for further study. This may have an impact on your subject choices and whether or not you should rewrite one of your Matric exams, based on the marks you obtain. 

 

Below is an overview of the 4 different pass results and what is required to obtain each. 

 

Bachelor’s Degree pass

A Bachelor’s Degree pass is the highest level of a pass in Matric. This will enable you to study for a Bachelor’s Degree at a University. In order to obtain this level of pass, you will need to achieve the following:

• 40% in your Home Language subject
• 50% in four other Higher Credit subjects
• 30% in two other subjects
• APS - 23

 

Diploma Pass

A Diploma Pass is the second level of a pass in Matric. This will enable you to study for a Diploma course at an institution of higher learning. In order to obtain this level of pass, you will need to achieve the following: 

• 40% in your Home Language subject
• 40% for four other High Credit subjects
• 30% for two other subjects
• APS - 19

 

Higher Certificate Pass

A Higher Certificate Pass is the third level of a pass in Matric. This will enable you to apply for any public FET or private college. In order to obtain this level of pass, you will need to achieve the following:

• 40% in your Home Language subject
• 40% in two other subjects
• 30% in three other subjects
• APS - 15

 

Senior Certificate Pass

This is an ordinary pass in Matric. This will allow you to study any course that only requires a pass in Matric. In order to obtain this level of pass, you will need to achieve the following:

• 40% in your Home Language subject
• 40% in two other subjects
• 30% in three other subjects. You can fail one subject, even if it’s your First Additional Language, but you must get 30% or more for the rest of your subjects. 
• APS - 14

 

What is APS?

APS stands for Admission Points Score. The mark you obtain for each Matric exam correlates with an Admission Points Score. This score is calculated by placing your mark in the 1 - 7 range in the APS calculator and is used by Universities to determine whether you can study at their institution. 

 

This is how your APS score is calculated:

 

 

Where can I view my Matric results?

According to the Department of Education, the Matric results will be released on 20th January 2023. 

 

These are the different ways you can view your results:

 

Online

Visit the Department of Education website (for South African public school students), the IEB website (for South African private school students) or the News 24 Matric Results Portal (for all South African Matriculants). 

 

Newspaper

Take a look at your Matric Finals results in local newspapers (like The Rapport, The Argus, and The Star). They will publish your exam number instead of your name as well as whether or not you have passed, along with your symbol.

 

Through your school

The day after the Department of Education has released your results, they will be available through your school. Please note that this is not your Matric certificate. 

 

On your phone

Download the MatricsMate app! It’s free and will allow you to view your results as soon as they are released. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you will need to register an account. You can do this via SMS (just send your ID number and exam number to 35658) or USSD service (dial *120*35658# on release date, answer a few questions and enter your ID number). 

Best of luck to all the Matrics who are in the middle of their exams!