For many young people, one of the most nerve-wracking ‘adult’ experiences they will ever encounter is waiting for their final year results. You’ve put 12 long years into your schooling, worked hard to do well, and now it’s time to find out the results. While you once had to wait for your school to get hold of you, travel in-person, or find out from the broadsheet newspapers how you have done, the digital age is fully upon us. With a few button clicks, you can get your matric results
Will Matric Results be Published via SMS?
Matric results have been published via SMS since 2019, and the service has become incredibly popular over the years. Do be aware that you can only sign up for the service with one mobile number per examination number, so it will always be best to use your own mobile phone if possible. To sign up for the service, send your ID number and matric examination number to 35658 as prompted. Once the Department of Education releases the examination results (typically early in the morning on the announced day), you will receive yours by SMS.
How to Get Your Matric Results Via SMS & USSD
Now you know how to get the SMS service for your matric results via 35658. Simply text the required details, and your matric results will be on the way to you. But that’s not your only way to get your matric results delivered to your phone. You can also use the USSD service. Unlike the SMS service, you can’t register for this one in advance. So after 6am on the day results are released, simply dial *120*35658#, follow the on-screen prompts to enter your ID and exam number, and your matric results will pop up.
What Number Do I Dial for Matric Results?
As you’ve no doubt realized from the instructions above, the key number to remember for your matric results will be 35658. If you opt to sign up for the SMS notification, you can simply dial that number and follow the prompts to enter your ID and examination number and receive your results as soon as they are released. If you prefer not to sign up in advance, you will use the USSD code 120*35658# to access your results on the day. For now, there is no telephone option to phone in for your results- but you may be able to contact your institution of study telephonically for your results, privacy depending.
How do I Get a Copy of my Matric Results Online?
In addition to these options to get your matric results delivered to your phone, you can also access your results online. Check the Department of Education’s website, enter your examination number and details, then click on ‘search’. Your school or examination center may also offer an online portal to check your matric results, and it will work similarly. They have also launched the MatricsMate app you can download for iPhone and Android. Many local newspapers also publish mass results; you can search for yours. Don’t worry that your name will be displayed! These lists typically only use your examination number, so your privacy will be preserved.
Do remember, however, that these will only be a list of your results, not an official document. This you will only receive from your actual academic institution. It’s a great way to find out how you did and share your successes with friends and family, but to apply for tertiary education or funding; you must get the official printout formally displaying your matric results. These institutions will not accept screenshots or SMS confirmations of your results- they must have the formal document. These will only be obtainable from the exam center or school you wrote your matric through. Should you be moving away from the area before matric results are released (typically in January every year), you will need to check with the institution if they can courier this formal document to you or if someone you trust can collect them on your behalf. If your copy gets lost or damaged, you can apply for another copy through the Department of Education, but it may take a while to process- rather, be very careful with the document and submit notarized copies as needed.
With many more options to check your matric results, it’s easier than ever to access them through digital means. Whether you prefer using your mobile phone or a desktop PC, there’s plenty of ways to find out how you did in your final matric examination. Good luck, and we hope your results are everything you expected!
