Matric qualification is a critical milestone that defines most people’s academic and professional careers in South Africa. Therefore, understanding how Matric results are calculated will give you the support you need in your career path. Keep on reading to learn how to calculate your Matric average.
How to Calculate Matric Average
Matric average loosely refers to what is known as the Admission Point Score (APS), which plays a crucial role in the acceptance of students in various higher learning institutions. For you to get a place to pursue your desired course, you need to attain a certain APS minimum requirement. On top of the APS, universities also have other admission requirements.
If you are a recent Matric graduate and need help deciding the career path to follow, your Matric average can help you make an informed decision. The matric point system is presented as follows:
- 80% – 100% = 7 points
- 70% – 79% = 6 points
- 60% – 69% = 5 points
- 50% – 59% = 4 points
- 40% – 49 % = 3 points
- 30% – 39 % = 2 points
- 0% – 29 % = 1 point
To calculate your APS, you must add the points obtained from the best six subjects, excluding Life Orientation. The highest possible achievable score is 42. The minimum APS for prospective undergraduate students includes the following:
- Bachelor’s Degree – 21+ points
- Diploma – 18 points
- Higher certificate – 15 points
Admission to certain degree programs at a university or college requires a student to have a specific score.
How Do I Find My Matric Average Score?
It is very easy to calculate your APS using the point system below.
- 80% – 100% = 7 points
- 70% – 79% = 6 points
- 60% – 69% = 5 points
- 50% – 59% = 4 points
- 40% – 49 % = 3 points
- 30% – 39 % = 2 points
- 0% – 29 % = 1 point
Work out your average matric score by adding the points obtained from the top six subjects. The point system is also found on the Matric Certificate to help students calculate their APS before applying for certain programs at college or university.
Suppose you get the following passes in your top six subjects; your APS will be calculated as shown below.
- English: 86% (7 points)
- Afrikaans: 75% (6 points)
- Maths: 44% (3 points)
- Geography: 92% (7 points)
- Physics: 55% (4 points)
- Accounting: 62% (5 points)
In this case, your APS will be 32 points which can afford you a place to study for a degree program at a university. The minimum APS for one to get a place at university is 21 points. When you calculate your APS, you can make an informed decision.
What Is a Good Matric Score?
A good matric score depends on the program you want to pursue and the institution you intend to join. While most people believe that 30% is enough to pass Matric, this is untrue. For instance, four pass levels at Matric include Bachelor’s Degree pass, Diploma Pass, Higher Certificate pass, and Senior Certificate (Amended) Pass. These passes are graded as follows:
Bachelor’s Degree
- 40% in your home language
- At least 50% in the other four high-credit subjects
- At least 30% in the other two subjects
- A minimum APS of 23
Diploma Certification
- 40% in your home language
- 40% in at least three other high-credit subjects
- 30% in the other two subjects
- A total APS of 19
Higher Certificate
- 40% in the home language
- At least 40% in the other two subjects
- At least 30% in three other subjects
To achieve a Higher Certificate, you must pass either English or Afrikaans. You need at least 15 APS points
The National Senior Certificate
- 40% in the home language
- 40% in the other two subjects
- You must pass the other six subjects with at least 30 percent (You are allowed to fail your home language)
The National Senior Certificate is the most basic Matric pass, which requires an average of 33.50%. It requires a minimum of 14 APS points. However, this pass comes with limited career opportunities and does not give you access to higher education learning institutions.
Each of these four passes allows candidates to be accepted into different types of formal tertiary education. However, attaining a pass level in Matric does not guarantee automatic entry into a specific course. Each institution has minimum requirements for different courses. Therefore, a good matric score depends on what you want to achieve in your academic or professional career.
All Matric students must obtain at least 40% in their home language to get placement in higher learning institutions. It will be considered a failure if you get less than 40%. Considering the minimum required APS points to get a place to study in a specific college or university is essential.
What Is NSC Average?
The National Senior Certificate Average is 33⅓%, but this pass does not allow you to study at any university in South Africa. To get this pass, you must have a minimum of 40% in your home language and at least 40% in the other two subjects. One must have at least 30% or more in six subjects to pass even if they fail their home language.
Different higher learning institutions have various requirements to determine each potential student’s eligibility to get a place to study their preferred courses. It is vital to know how to calculate your matric average or APS to gain insight into the courses you can pursue after high school. A good Matric score depends on what you want to achieve in your future career. Some Matric passes allow you to proceed to university or other tertiary institutions, while others come with limited career opportunities.
