Combining Your Matric Results

If you are someone who wrote their Matric in more than one exam sitting, you can combine your Matric results. The Department of Basic Education automatically combines your results if you complete your supplementary exam through high school.

If you wrote Matric in more than one exam sitting, you may be able to combine Matric results into one final National Senior Certificate. This process is handled by the Department of Basic Education and applies to learners who rewrote subjects or completed supplementary exams after failing Matric the first time.

You can only combine Matric results if you did not originally pass with a Bachelor’s Degree pass. If your first Matric attempt already earned a Bachelor’s pass, your later results will not be added to it. Knowing this upfront saves time, stress, and false hope and helps you plan your next step properly. Here’s what the process involves and exactly what you need to do.

This is your second chance at a first impression. Combine your results today and let your best marks shine.

How do you combine matric results?

Combining matric results means joining the marks from two or more exam sittings into one final certificate. This is helpful if you wrote matric more than once or upgraded certain subjects. When your results are combined, you get a single certificate that shows your best subject marks.

This combined certificate is issued by UMALUSI, and it is recognised as your official National Senior Certificate. It is useful when applying for jobs, university, or college courses, as it replaces your separate results.

Here is how the process works: 

Application Of Combination Of Results

If you have written matric more than once and want to combine your results, you can apply through a simple process. This will give you a single certificate that reflects your best results from different exam sittings.

You can apply for a combination of Matric results through one of the following: 

  • Department of Basic Education (DBE) website 
  • Provincial Education offices 
  • Postal method 

You will need this to apply: 

  • Results from both exam sittings 
  • Your ID book/card 
  • Have a certified copy of your ID 
  • Proof of payment of R170 (this can be paid through postal method or at the DBE or provincial offices) 

These fees are valid from 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. 

Who qualifies to combine matric results?

You qualify to combine matric results if you have written Grade 12 exams more than once—whether to improve your marks or to complete failed subjects. This applies to learners who wrote the NSC (National Senior Certificate) or the Senior Certificate (Amended).

You can combine your results if:

  • You wrote matric in different years
  • You completed some subjects and passed others later
  • You rewrote subjects to improve your marks
  • You upgraded your results after leaving school

To combine your results, you must have written all exams through a recognised exam body, such as the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or Adult Matric providers.

Combining your results helps you get one complete certificate. This makes it easier to apply for jobs or further studies.

Your best results deserve to shine. Apply to combine your Matric marks and unlock more study and career opportunities.

Can I Combine NSC And SC?

Yes, you can combine your National Senior Certificate with your Senior Certificate (Amended). You must apply for this process to be done. Your two certificates will be combined and turned into one Matric Certificate. 

How Long Does It Take To Get Your Combined Matric Results?

It takes about four (4) to six (6) weeks for the certificates to be combined into one. However, if you want a combined statement of results, you can get it the same day you applied. This costs R60. 

These fees are valid from 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

What Is Matric?

Matric is the last grade in High School in the South African education system. This grade determines whether you gain access to university. You learn skills that prepare you for university. When you complete Matric, you are awarded a Matric Certificate. 

The Matric Certificate has different levels of passing. From the highest to the lowest pass. If you do not obtain the lowest pass, you fail Matric. Here are the Matric Pass Levels, from the highest to the lowest: 

Bachelor’s Degree Pass Level

A Bachelor’s Degree Pass is the highest matric pass level in South Africa. It allows you to apply for degree studies at a university, provided you meet the course requirements.

To achieve a Bachelor’s pass, you must have:

  • A minimum of 40% in your home language 
  • A minimum of 50% in four subjects 
  • A minimum of 30% in two other subjects 

Diploma Pass Level

The Diploma Pass allows you to apply for diploma studies at colleges and universities of technology. It shows that you have passed most of your subjects at a strong level.

To achieve a Diploma Pass, you must meet the following requirements:

  • A minimum of 40% in your home language 
  • A minimum of 40% in four subjects 
  • A minimum of 30% in two other subjects 

This pass level gives you access to many study and career opportunities. It is a good option for students who want to continue their education.

Higher Certificate Pass Level

The Higher Certificate Pass allows you to apply for Higher Certificate courses at various colleges. It is the most basic Matric pass level but still gives you a recognised qualification.

To achieve a Higher Certificate Pass, you must meet the following requirements:

  • A minimum of 40% in your home language 
  • A minimum of 40% in two subjects 
  • A minimum of 30% in three other subjects 

This pass level helps you move forward with skills training or entry-level study. It is a great option if you want to improve your chances in the job market.

National Senior Certificate Pass Level

The National Senior Certificate (NSC) Pass is the minimum requirement to complete your Matric. It still gives you a full Matric certificate and can help you move into certain jobs or training opportunities.

To achieve a National Senior Certificate Pass, you must meet the following requirements:

  • A minimum of 40% in your home language 
  • A minimum of 30% in two other subjects 
  • A minimum of 30% in three other subjects 
  • You can fail one subject 

This pass level is ideal if you want to finish school and explore other options. It proves that you have met the basic national standards for Matric.

Don’t compare your pass to others, your Matric is yours, and it’s proof you’ve made it this far. Now, let’s see where it can take you

How Do They Calculate Matric Final Marks

Final Matric results are calculated based on two things. These are the School-based assessments (SBA) and the final examination. This is how the final marks are calculated: 

The SBA contributes 25% to the final marks. This comes from the following assessments: 

  • June exam
  • Assignments 
  • Trial exam 
  • Oral presentations 

The last marks come from the final examination, which contributes 75%. This is combined with the SBA mark and produces your final results. It is important that you participate in every School-based assessment. This is how you boost your final examination mark. 

What Happens If I Fail Matric?

Failing Matric does not mean the end of your education journey. There are different ways to improve your results or keep studying.

If you failed Matric, you can use the following options: 

These options give you a second chance to reach your goals. Choose the one that suits your situation and take the next step forward.

Apply For A Remark Or Recheck

If you failed Matric, you can apply for a remark or a recheck through the Department of Basic Education. This is where your paper will either be marked or checked, to ensure that all questions have been marked correctly. This can help you gain marks. 

Rewrite Matric

You can rewrite your Matric if you failed. You can do this by applying for the Supplementary Exam/Second Chance Matric Programme/Matric Rewrite. Furthermore, you will be able to rewrite your Matric and study to get better marks. 

Redo Matric

You can your Matric year all over. This will help you because you know what to expect in class. You can study wisely and receive better marks. 

Study Without Matric

If you did not pass Matric, you still have the chance to study and build your future. You can choose courses that do not need a Matric Certificate for entry.

If you failed Matric, you can study at Matric College for the following courses: 

These courses will help you gain skills and knowledge that are valuable in the workplace. 

This setback could be your greatest comeback. Whether you rewrite, redo, or study without Matric, there’s a way forward just for you

Can I Complete My Matric Online?

Yes, you can complete your Matric online through Matric College. We offer our courses through distance learning, which is a learning method where you study from home. When you are studying at home, you make use of online tools. These help you to study better while you are home. These are the online tools we have: 

  • Email
  • Telegram 
  • Tutor contact form 
  • Red Alert form 
  • Course Experts 

You can apply for the following courses to complete your Matric online: 

I’m really impressed with the quality of education at this college. The staff are knowledgeable and supportive I’m enjoying the experience and I’ll definitely recommend it to others. – Neo B

Adult Matric

You can complete your Matric online through this course if you are an adult aged 21 or older. This course will help you study and gain a Matric Certificate. You will use this qualification to apply to university or to find work. These are the requirement to study the Adult Matric Course: 

  • You passed Grade 9 and have proof of your report OR
  • You completed a Grade 9 equivalent course (i.e. an ABET Certificate) that included two official language subjects
  • You are 21 or older when you write your exams
    • You can apply as early as the age of 19 and start studying
  • You can read, write and understand English or Afrikaans 
  • You are able to study via distance learning

Matric Upgrade

You can complete your Matric online through this course. This course will help you upgrade your Matric marks. You will be able to add a minimum of four (4) subjects that are new. When you complete this course, you will gain a Matric Certificate, which you can use to apply to university or for employment. These are the requirements for the Matric Upgrade Course: 

  • Must have an incomplete Matric results or
  • Your final Matric results
  • Matric statement of results 
  • Matric Certificate 
  • Passed or failed Matric 

Your education doesn’t have to wait any longer. Complete your Matric online and finally take the step you’ve been dreaming about.

Is Upgrading Matric Results A Good Thing?

Yes, upgrading Matric is a good thing. This is because you gain an opportunity to make your results better. You can gain good marks that help you study at university for any course you want. 

Upgrading your marks is good because it helps you feel that you have another chance to do better in life. When you complete the course, you will feel good about yourself. 

Improved marks are a good thing. They help you increase your chances to gain employment. When employers see that you took the time to upgrade your marks, they will be impressed. Not many people can take the time to study and improve their results. This shows you are a hard worker who is persistent.

Can I Upgrade My Matric Results After 5 Years?

Yes, you can upgrade your Matric at Matric College after five (5) years. You can do this with passed or failed Matric. We will help you have the academic support you need to gain your best results. You will be assisted with the following: 

Tutors

While you upgrade your marks, you will be assisted by our tutors. You can reach them from Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm. They are available through calls, WhatsApp and email. They will help you with any questions you may have. 

Study Guides

While you upgrade your Matric, we will send you the study material. This will help you when you study and prepare for the final examinations. The study material is delivered to where you are. 

Grade 12 Past Papers

You will have access to the Grade 12 past papers and memorandums while you upgrade your marks. You will use this in preparations for the final exam. This will help you have a better understanding of what to expect in the exam and how to answer questions.

You now know how combining and upgrading your results works, so let’s find the programme that gets you there. Take our Adult Matric Readiness Quiz to discover which Matric programme best matches your current results and future goals. A free study guide will be yours as soon as you’re done.

The CEO of Matric College, Jan Badenhorst, explains how to consolidate two matric certificates

People Also Ask

The lowest grade you can write and gain your matric with is grade 9 or ABET level 4. Courses like adult matric allow students over the age of 21 who only grade 9 can apply and study grade 10, 11 and write their matric exams.

If you recently rewrote your matric exams because you failed your first attempt, your new marks and your old ones will be compared. The new certificate have the highest marks of all your subjects from both your old and new marks.

A supplementary exam or second chance matric is written by students under 21 who have recently failed matric or would like to improve their final matric pass. Matric College offers this through our Matric Rewrite course.

Yes. You will not be eligible for accredited programmes, unless they are programmes such as Matric, to improve your results. Universities can provide short courses, that typically does not require prior education. At Matric College, we have short courses, as well as ICB courses that does not require a Matric certificate. 

Yes. This is a great choice to enter into specialised field sooner without the need of completing Matric. We offer, great bridging courses, that will allow you to complete accredited courses in bookkeeping or accounting. 

If you were upgrading your matric through a Matric Upgrade programme, you can check your results the same way as regular matric learners.

Here are the ways to check your results:

  1. Department of Basic Education (DBE) Website
    • Visit www.education.gov.za
    • Click on the link for “NSC Results”
    • Enter your exam number and personal details to view your results
  2. SMS Service
    • Send your exam number to 35658
    • You will receive your results via SMS (Standard SMS rates apply)
  3. Online News Websites
    • Some news outlets like News24 publish results online
    • You’ll need to enter your exam number on their platform
  4. Your Exam Centre or College
    • If you upgraded through Skills Academy, your college will inform you when results are available
    • You can also collect your results from the exam centre where you wrote

Make sure you have your ID or exam number ready when checking your results.

If you fail your matric upgrade, you still have options. Failing does not mean the end of your education journey—you can try again or explore other learning paths.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Rewrite Again: You can register for another exam sitting and rewrite the subjects you failed. There is no limit to how many times you can upgrade your matric.
  • Study Through Distance Learning: Colleges like Skills Academy allow you to study from home with tutor support. You can continue preparing until you are ready to write again.
  • Try a Skills-Based Course: If you want to enter the job market, you can take a provider programme that does not require matric. These courses give you practical skills for work.
  • Switch to Adult Matric (If 21 or older): If you failed multiple times, you can register for Adult Matric and work toward a full new certificate.

Failing an upgrade is not the end—you still have time and support to reach your goals.

Yes, universities do accept combined matric results, as long as your final combined certificate meets the minimum entry requirements for the course you are applying for.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • You must apply for an official combined certificate through the Department of Basic Education (DBE)
  • The combined certificate will reflect your best results from multiple sittings
  • The final results must meet the requirements for a Bachelor’s, Diploma, or Higher Certificate pass
  • Each university sets its own admission criteria, including subject choices and APS scores

Before applying, it is always best to check with the university to confirm whether your combined results qualify you for your chosen course.

There’s no strict limit to how many times you can repeat Matric. You can rewrite subjects through the Department of Basic Education’s Second Chance Matric Programme or by enrolling with a private/online Matric provider. Many students rewrite more than once to improve their marks or to qualify for university. What matters most is your determination to keep trying until you achieve the results you want.

You can check your Matric results online by visiting the Department of Basic Education (DBE) website when results are released. You’ll need your exam number and sometimes your ID number to log in. Results are usually also available through your school, local newspapers, or SMS services. If you prefer official documentation, you can request a statement of results from the DBE or Umalusi.

Author: Mulisa Nethononda 
Editor: Jesmé Africa
Date Published: 15 June 2022