Beow are all the levels of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations commonly referred to as “matric”.
Matric results are one of the most important milestones in your child’s education or career life, meaning your better understanding of the results will enable you to give the necessary career support to your child.
Parents should bear in mind that when their children make career decisions, theirs is just to support and guide them and that can only be done if they (parents) thoroughly understand the meaning of their children’s matric results.
National Senior Certificate (NSC) levels and the APS comparison
| NSC Levels | NSC% | APS Levels | APS% |
| 8 | 90 – 100 % | ||
| 7 | 80 – 100 % | 7 | 80 – 89 % |
| 6 | 70 – 79 % | 6 | 70 – 79 % |
| 5 | 60 – 69 % | 5 | 60 – 69 % |
| 4 | 50 – 59 % | 4 | 50 – 59 % |
| 3 | 40 – 49 % | 3 | 40 – 49 % |
| 2 | 30 – 39 % | 2 | 30 – 39 % |
| 1 | 0 – 29 % | 0 | 0 – 29 % |
What a learner needs for different pass levels?
The total points on table 2 below are also calculated according to the APS system above.
| Pass Level | Points |
| Bachelor Pass | – 4 in four high credit subjects – 3 in home language – 2 in other two subject Total points: 23 |
| Diploma Pass | – 3 home language – 3 in other four high credit subjects – 2 in other two subject Total points: 19 |
| HC Pass | 3 in home language 3 in other two subjects 2 in three other subjects Total points: 15 |
| NSC | 3 in home language 3 in other two subjects 2 in 4 other subjects Total points: 14 |
Levels of achievement explained
There are different levels of achievement shown on National Senior Certificate and as such have different implications on the next step that a learners should take.
It is always compulsory to pass your home language with at least 40% – anything less than 40% for a home language means the learner has failed.
- Bachelors – Will gain you provisional entrance into any University or degree course.
- Diploma – Will gain you provisional entrance into any University of Technology or diploma course.
- Certificate – Will gain you provisional entrance into any College or certificate course.
The provisional entrance indicated above means even though the learner achieved a bachelors degree pass which allows him or her entrance at the university, however it does not guarantee him/her a space in all the courses because for programmes like Engineering you might find that the university wants 80% pass in Mathematics and if the learner had achieved symbols below that she/he will not be accepted in the programme.
| B | Bachelors Pass | Must obtain at least 40% for your Home Language. Must obtain at least 50% for four other High Credit subjects. Must obtain at least 30% for two other subjects. |
| D | Diploma | Must obtain at least 40% for your Home Language. Must obtain at least 40% for four other High Credit subjects. Must obtain at least 30% for two other subjects. |
| HC | Higher Certificate | Must obtain 40% in your Home Language. Must obtain at least 40% in two other subjects. Must obtain at least 30% for three other subjects. It is important to note that one of your languages must either be English or Afrikaans to qualify for a Higher Certificate. |
| NSC | NSC Pass | NSC (National Senior Certificate) Pass To get an NSC pass you need your 40% minimum for your home language and 40% for another 2 subjects – you can fail a subject – even your first additional language – but you must then get 30% or more for the other 6 making a total of 6 passes. If you have an average of 33⅓% you will be awarded with your NSC but will not enable you to study at any university. You need to aim higher! |
| F | Fail | Further study may not be possible unless subjects are rewritten |
Encourage your child to check the entrance requirements of the course she/he wishes to study, it will be more helpful for your child if you also familiarise yourself with the admission requirements.
Try to provide guidance for them or even contact the Career Development Services for a Career Adviser and talk about options available, contact details: 086 999 0123 OR send an SMS: or “please call me” to 072 204 5056.
FAQs on Examinations
The National Senior Certificate Examinations
When will the final National Senior Certificate examination be conducted?
From October to December of each year.
Must a learner register to write the final National Senior Certificate examination?
Yes, before 15 March of the year that a learner will sit for the final examination. All subjects to be written, including those from approved assessment bodies must be registered.
Who is eligible to write the National Senior Certificate examination?
- Current Grade 12 learners
- Anyone who wants to improve on their previous NSC results and who is still a NSC candidate (i.e. has not had their certificate changed to SC) may register as a part-time candidate for the NSC examinations.
What are the minimum requirements for a candidate to obtain a National Senior Certificate?
The minimum requirements are:
- Achieve 40% in three subjects, one of which is an official language at Home Language level and 30% in three subjects.
- Provide full evidence in the SBA component in the subjects offered
What is the role of Umalusi?
Umalusi is responsible for the quality assurance of assessment in the Grade 12-year and issues the National Senior Certificate to successful candidates.
Is there a second chance for National Senior Certificate candidates who have failed the final examination?
The supplementary examination in February/March has been phased out and is not available anymore. Candidates can however register for the June NSC examination to improve their results. For further details on who qualifies to register for the June examination, please click here.
Remarking, rechecking and viewing
Candidates may apply for re-checking or re-marking of examination answer scripts immediately after receiving their results. The closing date for application for a re-check or re-mark is usually announced in January. Application forms for re-checking or re-marking of examination answer scripts are available from schools or examination centres. Read more…
Withheld examination results
Candidates’ results are normally withheld due to irregularities, but those candidates whose results have been blocked or withheld have the right to appeal. When a candidate is informed that the results are withheld, they can do the following:
- Enquire, preferably in writing, and request the reasons for the withholding of the results. Candidates may also contact the district office or their school for assistance
- You can visit the nearest office of the Department of Education in your area to enquire about your results or make any other examination-related enquiries you may have.
The amended Senior Certificate as an option to consider
A new policy for the Amended Senior Certificate for adults and out-of-school learners was published in August 2014. This policy allows adults, who are 21 years and older, who have no previous credits, to write the Senior Certificate examination, which will be based on the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), the curriculum that is currently being offered in schools. Read more…
Higher Education Institution requirements and support
What are the minimum requirements for further studies relating to Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor Studies?
- Higher Certificate. The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution as certified by Umalusi, the Quality Assurance Council. Institutional and programme needs may require additional combinations or recognised NSC subjects and levels of achievement.
- Diploma. The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution as certified by Umalusi, the Quality Assurance Council, coupled with an achievement rating of 3 (Moderate Achievement, 40% – 49%) or better in four (4) recognised 20-credit subjects. Institution and programme needs may require additional combinations of recognised NSC subjects and levels of achievement.
- Bachelor’s Degree The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution as certified by Umalusi, the Quality Assurance Council, coupled with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement, 50% – 59%) or better in four (4) recognised 20-credit subjects. Institution and programme needs may require additional combinations of recognised NSC subjects and levels of achievement.
National Office
Address: 222 Struben Street, Pretoria
Call Centre: 0800 202 933 | callcentre@dbe.gov.za
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Certification
certification@dbe.gov.za
012 357 4511/3