How to Calculate Overall Matric Mark

By Dave Nyam •  Updated: 01/23/24 •  5 min read

Understanding how matric results are calculated is essential for students and parents in South Africa. Matric results determine a student’s academic achievement and eligibility for further education or career opportunities. This comprehensive guide aims to provide a clear explanation of how matric results are calculated in South Africa. The calculation involves a combination of school-based assessments (SBAs) and the final examination. It is important to note the pass requirements for different levels of achievement, including the Bachelor’s Degree, Diploma, and Higher Certificate passes.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The guide will also explain the grading system and the points-based Admission Point Scores (APS) used to determine eligibility for admission to universities or colleges. Students and parents can better support educational and career decisions by understanding the calculation and interpretation of matric results.

How to Calculate Overall Matric Mark

Matric results in South Africa are calculated by combining the scores from school-based assessments (SBAs) and the final examination. Grades in the matriculation comprise two components: 25% from the SBAs encompassing tests, projects, and assignments, and the remaining 75% from the final exam.

To compute the ultimate matriculation grade, multiply the final exam grade by 0.75 and the SBA grade by 0.25. Summing up these two percentages yields the final grade.

What Percentage Do I Need to Pass Matric?

Students must meet the minimum subject requirements to pass matric in South Africa and obtain the National Senior Certificate (NSC). The pass requirements vary depending on the level of achievement desired.

For a general NSC pass, students must achieve the following minimum percentages:

Furthermore, students may fail their native language course if they pass the remaining six courses with a minimum score of 30%.

Nonetheless, the requisite pass standards become more stringent when students aspire to achieve higher academic accomplishments, such as graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree. To achieve a Bachelor’s Degree pass, students must meet the following minimum percentages:

It’s important to note that the pass requirements may vary for different subjects. Some subjects may have specific requirements or higher minimum percentages.

How Many Subjects Do You Need to Pass Matric With a Bachelor?

Students must meet specific subject requirements to pass matric with a Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree pass is the highest level of achievement and enables students to pursue further studies at universities. To obtain a Bachelor’s Degree pass, students must meet the following subject requirements:

It’s important to note that the subjects considered high credit may vary. Generally, subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting, and Economics are often classified as high-credit subjects. However, students should consult the Department of Basic Education or their schools for the high-credit subjects applicable for their matric year.

In addition to meeting the subject requirements, students must also satisfy the overall pass requirements, including achieving a minimum of 40% or higher in their home language and attaining the required percentages in the remaining subjects.

How Do You Calculate the Overall Matric Mark?

The overall Matric mark in South Africa is calculated by combining the scores obtained in the school-based assessments (SBAs) and the final examination. The SBAs contribute 25% to the final mark, while the final examination contributes 75%.

The final Matric grade is arrived at by multiplying the student’s score on the SBA by 0.25 and their score on the final test by 0.75.  When you add up the two scores, you get a percentage out of 100, your total grade.

It’s important to remember that the SBAs and final exams may have different weights in different courses. Some subjects may have different weightings, such as 50% for the SBAs and 50% for the final examination. 

How Do You Calculate the Final Grade For Each Subject?

In South Africa, the final grade for each subject in matric is calculated based on the percentage achieved by the student. The final grades are determined using a grading system that assigns levels of achievement to different percentage ranges.

The grading system used for matric results is as follows:

Determining the final grade for each subject is contingent upon the specific percentage range within which the student’s mark resides. As an illustration, if a student attains a score of 85% in a particular subject, the resultant final grade for said subject would correspond to Level 7, denoting exceptional accomplishment.

Notably, the ultimate grades are utilized in the computation of the Admission Point Scores (APS), which hold significance in the context of university or college admissions.  The APS is determined by converting the final grades into points. The points assigned to each grade range are as follows:

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Keep Reading

What Is the Difference Between The IEB And NSC?

What Is the Difference Between The IEB And NSC?

Today we look at the differences between the IEB And NSC curriculums and what they offer.

How to Upgrade Matric Results

How to Upgrade Matric Results

Read on to discover the various avenues to enhance your matric results and create new opportunities for your future.

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

What Does an Incomplete Matric Result Mean?

What Does an Incomplete Matric Result Mean?

What Does an Incomplete Matric Result Mean? We will also look a little more closely at the supplementary exam sessions and what to expect.

What is a Matric Certificate?

What is a Matric Certificate?

It addresses queries like distinguishing between a matriculation certificate and a statement and delves into the pinnacle of matriculation accomplishments.

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

Matric Results Pass Symbols, Levels, Mark Percentage, And Their Meanings

Matric Results Pass Symbols, Levels, Mark Percentage, And Their Meanings

This guide will also explain the calculation of final matric marks and the different types of certificates students can receive upon matric.

Matric Results Codes On Statement Meaning

Matric Results Codes On Statement Meaning

How to Get Old Matric Results

How to Get Old Matric Results

This article explains everything you want to know about the steps you can take to get your old matric results. 

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.

Matric Results 2025/26: Simple Steps to Check Your Exam Results

Matric Results 2025/26: Simple Steps to Check Your Exam Results

Matric Results 2024/24. There are many ways to check your matric exam results, including digital channels.

What Is the Lowest APS Score

What Is the Lowest APS Score

When applying for tertiary education in South Africa, the minimum Admission Point Score plays a vital role.

What Are The Requirements For A Diploma Pass

What Are The Requirements For A Diploma Pass

In this blog post, we will explore the various requirements for a diploma pass, the course one can study with a diploma pass

What Is Matric Exemption?

What Is Matric Exemption?

What Is Matric Exemption?. Today, we are unpacking everything you need to know about the matric exemption process.

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.