How to Calculate Matric Score

By Tevait Feanle •  Updated: 08/14/23 •  4 min read

Your matric results are not quite as simple as receiving one overall pass or fail. Instead, there are combinations of requirements you must meet to pass matric, and to determine which of the four pass categories you will fall into. Additionally, there is a factor known as your APS score, or ‘matric score’, which will also affect what level of matric pass you receive. This can make your overall matric results feel very difficult to understand- but don’t worry, we are here with the information you need to help you better understand the calculation of your matric score.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

How Do You Calculate Matric Score?

Properly speaking, your ‘matric score’ is your APS score. Every subject you write is graded as a percentage. For example, you might receive 80% on 3 subjects, and 70% on your others. This final grade is then used to assign APS points to the subject. Here’s how that is done:

These scores are then added together to determine your final APS score. For each type of Matric Pass (with Bachelors, with Diploma, with Higher Certificate, and a Standard Pass), there is a minimum number of APS points needed. Don’t forget it’s not just about points, however- there are also specific subjects or subject types that must be passed for each category. Life Orientation is excluded from the APS score.

How Many Subjects Do You Count for Points?

You will count your 6 subjects to get your AP Points- while a compulsory subject, Life Orientation cannot be used towards your AP Score points. This means that the highest possible amount of points for matric you can receive is 42- 7 points from each of the 6 subjects.

How Many Points is a Senior Certificate?

How many points your Senior Certificate receives will depend on your results. If you want to see how many points are earned per subject, check out the list we offered above. The minimum points you can get and receive your Senior Certificate is 14. You can receive up to 42.

A Senior Certificate works a little differently from the National Senior Certificate received by high school graduates. The key difference is that a Senior Certificate (Adult Matric) needs only 6 subjects, of which you must pass 5. This is because Life Orientation is not offered in the Senior Certificate stream. For high school graduates, you will write 7 subjects (inclusive of Life Orientation) and must pass 6. Once you receive the certificate, despite the difference in name, it will work exactly the same as the NSC qualification for your tertiary education ambitions.

How Many Points is a Grade?

The exact amount of matric points you receive depends on the grade for the subject. Should you receive 80% or higher, you will receive the maximum amount of points- 7.  You lose a point per 10% drop thereafter. So 70% to 79% earns 6, while 60%-59% earns 5, and so on. Effectively, this means there is 2 points for receiving a pass of 30%, and an additional point per grade above that. However, it is much easier to work with the percentages!

How Many Points is a Higher Certificate in Matric?

A Higher Certificate in Matric requires 15 points to receive. It means you passed above the basic minimum requirements. This should allow you entry into some private college courses as well as certificate-based programs. Above the Higher Certificate pass is the Diploma pass (entrance into diploma programs and Technical Universities/Technikons) and the Bachelor’s Pass (entrance into traditional university programs). 

However, receiving your Higher Certificate pass isn’t just about the total number of admission points. There are other benchmarks which you must achieve. You must pass 6 of your 7 subjects, with 40% or more in your home language and two other subjects. You must receive at least 30% for four other subjects.

Calculating your matric score may seem intimidating, but when you break the system down it is actually surprisingly simple. Remember you will need a matric score of at least 14 to pass, 15 to receive the Higher Certificate pass, 19 to receive the Diploma Pass, and 23 to receive the best possible result, the Bachelor’s pass. Don’t confuse these levels with the distinction system. You receive distinctions per subject when you pass with more than 80% in the subject.

Hopefully you now better understand the matric score system, how it ties in to the minimum requirements for each matric pass level, and what it means for your future educational prospects. We hope your results are everything you expect!

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Keep Reading

Matric Rewrite: All You Need to Know About Registering 

Matric Rewrite: All You Need to Know About Registering 

Here’s everything you need to know about registering for a matric rewrite.

What To Do If You Don’t Qualify For June Matric Exams?

What To Do If You Don’t Qualify For June Matric Exams?

What To Do If You Don't Qualify For June Matric Exams? Read on to learn what you can do if you don’t qualify for June matric exams. 

How Much It Costs to Have Your Matric Exam Remarked?

How Much It Costs to Have Your Matric Exam Remarked?

How Much It Costs to Have Your Matric Exam Remarked. Here’s what you should know about the cost, process, and when it is worth doing.

Why Is It Important to Have a Matric Certificate

Why Is It Important to Have a Matric Certificate

Why Is It Important to Have a Matric Certificate. Let's explore why having a matric certificate is so crucial.

What Is A Good AP Score?

What Is A Good AP Score?

What Is A Good AP Score? The admission point score serves the purpose of offering institutions a standardized method to fairly

Which Schools Have the Highest Pass Rate in Western Cape?

Which Schools Have the Highest Pass Rate in Western Cape?

This article focuses on the schools with the highest pass rate in the Western Cape Province. 

How to Find A Job Without Matric

How to Find A Job Without Matric

In this guide, we'll explore how to find a job without matric, address whether it's possible to succeed without a grade 12 certificate and more

Which Schools Have the Highest Matric Pass Rate in Gauteng?

Which Schools Have the Highest Matric Pass Rate in Gauteng?

This article outlines the top-performing schools with the highest pass rate in the Gauteng region. 

What Is Upgrading Matric Results?

What Is Upgrading Matric Results?

What Is Upgrading Matric Results? Read on to learn everything you need to know about upgrading matric results. 

How Many Times Can You Rewrite Matric?

How Many Times Can You Rewrite Matric?

How Many Times Can You Rewrite Matric?. Today we will look at everything you need to know to rewrite matric.

How to Calculate Overall Matric Mark

How to Calculate Overall Matric Mark

How are Matric Results Calculated? The guide will also explain the grading system and the points-based Admission Point Scores (APS)

Schools With the Best Matric Results In South Africa

Schools With the Best Matric Results In South Africa

Matriculants in South Africa have the option of writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations or the Independent Examination Board (IEB) exams

How To Access Your Matric Results Online

How To Access Your Matric Results Online

How To Access Your Matric Results Online. Looking to write matric exams? Are you prepared for matric results - then keep reading to find out more. 

Is ABET Level 4 a Matric?

Is ABET Level 4 a Matric?

Is ABET Level 4 a Matric? Today we will explore the ABET levels, their exact relationship to the better-known Matric qualification

How to Send Matric Papers for Remarking

How to Send Matric Papers for Remarking

This article explains what you should know before sending your matric papers for remarking.