Understanding Matric Results
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 |
|
Diploma Pass |
- 3 home language |
|
HC Pass |
3 in home language |
|
NSC |
3 in home language |
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. |
|
D |
Diploma |
Must obtain at least 40% for your Home Language. |
|
HC |
Higher Certificate |
Must obtain 40% in your Home Language. |
|
NSC |
NSC Pass |
NSC (National Senior Certificate) Pass |
|
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.
