Your Matric results are essential as they help you know whether you have passed or failed Matric. There are different methods you can use to access these results. When you have received your results, you can then read them to see how you did in your Matric.
You can access and read your Matric results using different methods. Below, we have listed these methods.
Accessing Matric Results
You can access your Matric results through these methods:
- Online
- School
- Newspaper
- SMS
- USSD
Online
You can access your Matric results on the Department of Basic Education website. This is how you can do it:
- Browse the Department of Basic Education (DBE) internet site
- Select the examination results button
- Press on the (NSC) exam results button
- Insert your examination number as requested
- Provide personal details as requested
- Select the search button
- Your results will be shown here
School
The High School where you completed your Matric final examination will have your Matric results. You can access your results through them.
Newspaper
There are different newspapers that publish Matric results as soon as the Department of Basic Education releases them. You can look at them to access our Matric results.
SMS
If you want to access your results on your phone, you can do it by sending your exam number to 35658. This SMS costs R1.50. Please keep in mind that the SMS code and fee may change.
USSD
You can access your Matric results on your smartphone by dialling *120*356598#. You will be asked to insert your personal details. Finish this process until you access your results. Please keep in mind that the dialling code can change.
Understanding Matric Results
To understand your Matric results better, you may use these methods:
- Looking at your Matric Pass Levels
- Looking at your Matric Symbols
- Determining your Matric APS Score
Looking At Your Matric Pass Levels
If your Matric Certificate is indicated that you have received one of the following pass levels, it means that you passed your Matric. The Matric Pass Levels have been arranged from highest to lowest in the list below:
Requirements For A Bachelor’s Degree Pass Level
- A minimum of 40% in your home language
- A minimum of 50% in four subjects
- A minimum of 30% in two other subjects
Requirements For A Diploma Pass Level
- A minimum of 40% in your home language
- A minimum of 40% in four subjects
- A minimum of 30% in two other subjects
Requirements For A Higher Certificate Pass Level
- A minimum of 40% in your home language
- A minimum of 40% in two subjects
- A minimum of 30% in four other subjects
Requirements For A National Senior Certificate Pass Level
- A minimum of 40% in your home language
- A minimum of 30% in two other subjects
- A minimum of 30% in three subjects
- You can fail one subject
Looking At Your Matric Symbols
You can read and understand what your Matric results by looking at the Matric symbols. These are levels of marks symbolised in the form of alphabets. Here is a table to show you what different alphabets symbolise in your Matric results:
| Matric Symbols / Marks received in the final examination | APS (Admission Point Score) |
| A (80 – 100%) | 7 |
| B (70 – 79%) | 6 |
| C (60 – 69%) | 5 |
| D (50 – 59%) | 4 |
| E (40 – 49%) | 3 |
| F (30 – 39%) | 2 |
| G (0 – 29%) | 1 |
Determining Your Matric APS Score
You can read and understand the levels of marks you have in your Matric results by calculating your APS score. This is calculated based on the marks you received in your results. Below is an example of how an APS Score is calculated:
| Level of marks received | Type of Achievement | APS Points |
| 80-100% (Distinction) | Outstanding Achievement | 7 points |
| 70-79% | Meritorious Achievement | 6 points |
| 60-69% | Substantial Achievement | 5 points |
| 50-59% | Adequate Achievement | 4 points |
| 40-49% | Moderate Achievement | 3 points |
| 30-39% | Elementary Achievement | 2 points |
| 0-29% | Not achieved Achievement | 1 point |
This is how you can calculate your APS Score:
- English First Additional Language – 64% = 5 points
- isiZulu Home Language – 72% = 6 points
- Physical Sciences- 66% = 5 points
- Life Sciences- 81% = 7 points (Distinction)
- Geography – 56% = 4 points
- Mathematics – 73% = 6 points
- Life Orientation – 65% = (We do not include L.O in APS calculations)
- 5 + 6 + 5 + 7 + 4 + 6 = 33 APS Score
Will The Matric Results Be Published?
Yes, the Matric results will be published. These results are published year after year by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and other educational bodies such as the Provincial Education Department (PED).
Matric results are also published in different newspapers. This is done for people who may not have access to an internet connection to access their results. Newspapers run out quickly. If you want one, make sure you buy one as soon as the results are released.
Can I Check My Matric Results With My ID Number?
Yes, you can check your Matric results using your Identification (ID) number. You can do this on the MatricsMate App.
- Download the MatricsMate Application (App) on your phone
- Add your identification number (ID)
- Add your examination number
Your Matric results will be accessible as soon as they are available
What Is A Distinction?
A distinction is the highest pass mark in Matric. This pass is from 80% to 100%. A distinction increases your chances of getting into university.
How Can I See Old Results?
You can see your old Matric results by applying through the Department of Basic Education. If your old results are lost or damaged, you can apply for a new Matric Certificate. This is what you will be required to do:
- Go to the Department of Basic Education or Provincial Education Department offices
- Ask to get a replacement for a lost or damaged Matric Certificate
- You will be given a form that you must fill out
- This form must be submitted with the documents below
- An affidavit with details of what happened to the lost or damaged Certificate
- The original certificate (not necessary if the certificate is lost)
- The original ID document
- A certified copy of your ID document
The above process can also be conducted online in the following way:
- Register your information here (www.eservices.gov.za)
- Click on this link to download the replacement Matric Certificate form
- Fill in the form
- Attach the documents below with the form
- An affidavit with details of what happened to the lost or damaged Certificate
- The original Matric Certificate (not necessary if the certificate is lost)
- The original ID book
- A certified copy of your ID
- Attach the evidence that you paid the fee for the replacement certificate here (you can find the bank details in the form you downloaded online)
- Send the above documents to this address (Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001)
You can also apply online through the new, official Umalusi application portal. Here is how:
- Create an account on the application portal
- Fill in the required details
- Attach the required documents (the same documents as listed above)
- Select whether you would like to collect the certficate yourself from the Umalusi offices in Pretoria (this will cost R137,00) or have the certificate couriered to you (this will cost R202,00)
Note all fees listed above are only valid for the financial year of 2022 – 2023, after which they will be subject to change.
Author: Mulisa Nethnonda
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: July 29, 2022