What are the Different Types of Matric Passes?

The four different types of matric passes in South Africa are the National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass, a Higher Certificate pass, a Diploma pass and the Bachelor’s Degree pass. Each has different requirements and consequently enables varied opportunities. What can make things tricky is that it’s possible to pass matric, but still need to rewrite subjects to meet minimum scores for tertiary education. This makes understanding what are the different types of matric passes important when making plans for your future career.

How to Understand Your Matric Results

Matric results are based on two types of assessments. During the school year, school-based assessments (SBA) are undertaken. These contribute towards 25% of a final matric result. The remaining 75% of a matric result is based on a final exam. However, there is one exception, although LO is a compulsory NSC subject it is solely assessed internally. Therefore, LO is determined 100% through SBAs and as a result LO has no final exam. Matric results are grouped into four different types of passes.

The 4 Different Matric Pass Levels:

1. National Senior Certificate (NSC)
2. Higher Certificate (HS)
3. Diploma (D)
4. Bachelor’s Degree (also known as exemption) (B)

Which of the four different matric pass levels you are awarded depends on two things, what subjects you have taken and your results. Your results (mark awarded for a subject) determine your Admissions Pass Score (APS). An APS impacts the type of tertiary education a student could provisionally be eligible for. Eligibility for a course does not guarantee admittance. This is because individual course requirements vary and number of students able to be enrolled into a course are limited.

Understanding the Admissions Pass Scor (APS) Levels

Each of these NSCs have specific requirements which total to an end APS. The combination of required subjects and end APS score, results in a student being awarded a specific type of matric pass. Furthermore, there are certain subjects which require a minimum APS score to receive a specific pass level. Therefore, it is important to note that some subjects are rated as more important than others. For instance, your home language APS score is seen as one of the most important subjects taken at school. Thus, it is possible to do well in a few subjects but not attain the minimal requirement for a specific matric pass level.

APS Levels:

• Level 8: 90 – 100%
• Level 7: 80 – 89%
• Level 6: 70 – 79%
• Level 5: 60 – 69%
• Level 4: 50 – 59%
• Level 3: 40 – 49%
• Level 2: 30 – 39%
• Level 0: 0 – 29%

APS Points:

• 80 – 100% = 7 points.
• 70 – 79% = 6 points.
• 60 – 69% = 5 points.
• 50 – 59% = 4 points.
• 40 – 49% = 3 points.

What is an APS Score?

An APS score is the total number of points achieved for all matric subjects.

Example of an APS Score:

• 80% in English (7 points)
• 85% in Mathematics (7 points)
• 45% in Geography (3 points)
• 50% in Life Science (4 points)
• 60% in Xhosa (5 points)
• 75% in Life Orientation (6 points)

Total APS Score: 32.

Why is an APS Score Important?

An APS score is important as it enables opportunities. For example, an APS score determines if a matriculant meets the minimum entrance requirements for a course or learning facility. Additionally, an APS scores can also qualify a prospective student to apply for scholarships and funding. Notable is that each learning institution can have different APS score requirements. It is therefore important to check what the requirements are for each institution as well as every course you wish to apply for. In order to assist students, many institutions provide an APS calculator linked to their course and faculty requirements.

APS Requirements for the Different Types of Matric Passes

Each of the different types of matric passes have subject and minimum APS total score requirements. The National Senior Certificate is a basic matric pass and therefore has the least strict requirements. In contrast the Bachelors Pass requires the highest scores and learners have to pass higher credit subjects.

National Senior Certificate (basic matric pass):

• APS of 3 or 40% in home language.
• APS of 3 or 40% in other two subjects.
• APS of 2 or 30% in 4 other subjects.
• APS total points: 14.

Higher Certificate Pass:

• APS of 3 or 40% in home language.
• APS of 3 or 40% in other two subjects.
• APS of 2 or 30% in three other subjects.
• APS total points: 15.

Diploma Pass:

• APS of 3 or 40% in home language.
• APS of 3 or 40% in other four high credit subjects.
• APS of 2 or 30% in other two subjects.
• APS total points: 19.

Bachelor Pass (Exemption):

• APS of 4 or 50% in four high credit subjects.
• APS of 3 or 40% in home language.
• APS of 2 or 30% in other two subjects.
• APS total points: 23.

Minimum Requirements for a Matric Pass

It is compulsory to achieve at least 40% for your home language to attain one of the certifications that grant you access to a higher learning institution. Attaining less than 40% is regarded as a failure.

Minimum Requirements to get a National Senior Certificate (NSC)

• 40% minimum for your home language.
• 40% for another 2 subjects.
• You can fail a subject – even your first additional language. However, then you need to get 30% or more for your other 6 subjects to make a total of 6 passes.

It is important to note that this is the most basic matric pass with a requirement of an average of 33⅓ % to get it. However, it opens the least number of future career doors. Additionally, it does not grant you provisional access to any higher education learning institutions.

Higher Certificate Minimum Requirements

• 40% in their Home Language.
• At least 40% in two other subjects.
• A minimum of 30% for three other subjects.
• One of the two language requirements to qualify for a Higher Certificate. Thus, either English or Afrikaans.

Diploma Minimum Requirements

• 40% in their Home Language.
• 40% for three other High Credit subjects (other than home language).
• 30% for two other subjects.
• A final total APS score of 19 

Bachelor’s Degree (Exemption) Minimum Requirements

• Requires a matriculant to obtain:
• 40% for your Home Language.
• A minimum of 50% for four other High Credit subjects.
• At least 30% for two other subjects.

These pass levels are divided into 7 further levels. The NSC levels differ from the APS levels. Each of the NSC levels are also given an achievement description.

7 NSC Levels and Achievement Ratings:

• Level 7: 80 – 100% (Outstanding achievement).
• Level 6: 70 – 79% (Meritorious achievement).
• Level 5: 60 – 69% (Substantial achievement).
• Level 4: 50 – 59% (Moderate achievement).
• Level 3: 40 – 49% (Adequate achievement).
• Level 2: 30 – 39% (Elementary achievement).
• Level 1: 0 – 29% (Not achieved – Fail).

Provisional Acceptance for Tertiary Education

Each of the four pass levels allows you to be provisionally accepted into a type of formal tertiary education. However, just because you attain a pass level or do very well in matric, doesn’t guarantee admittance into a course. This is because placement into courses is further stratified on the basis of minimal requirements for a specific subject. In addition to specific subject minimum grades, some courses require a minimum overall percentage pass to be considered for placement.

What Type of Studies can You do with Each Matric Pass?

• NSC Pass: Basic tertiary education courses, such as open-access course and entrance to TVET or private colleges. Also, a minimum requirement to do bridging courses for upgrading matric results, as well as enter into learnerships and apprenticeships.
• Higher Certificate Pass: Specific college and technical institution-based higher certificate courses and diploma programs. As well as learnerships and apprenticeships.
• Diploma Pass: Any qualification from universities of technology, private colleges and TVET institutions.
• Bachelors Pass: Minimum requirement to apply for any university degree program.

Where to Study?

Are you finishing up high school and feeling like the next step with it’s choices are overwhelming? SACAP is an independent college that offers small classes taught by lectures who are experts in their fields. Courses range from higher certificates, to diplomas, undergraduate degrees and post graduate programmes with specialised focuses. These are based in three faculties: Applied Psychology, Management & Leadership and Social Work and Community Development. Students are able to study online or at a campus, full time or part. If you want to discuss your options contact a SACAP Admissions Officer by completing an enquiry form. If you know what course you would like to study, then apply online today.