Is ABET Level 4 a Matric Certificate?

No, ABET Level 4 is not a Matric Certificate. If you’re asking “Is ABET Level 4 a Matric Certificate?” the short answer is no, but it is the key qualification adults use to work toward Matric. ABET stands for Adult Basic Education and Training, and ABET Level 4 is equivalent to Grade 9 at NQF Level 1, while a Matric Certificate is a Grade 12 qualification at NQF Level 4. This means ABET Level 4 does not replace Matric, but it does give you the academic standing needed to enrol for an Adult Matric course if you did not complete school.

Here are the different ABET levels and what they are equivalent to:

ABET Level 1: Grade 1 – Grade 3 (not registered on the NQF)
ABET Level 2: Grade 4 – Grade 6 (not registered on the NQF)
ABET Level 3: Grade 7 – Grade 8 (not registered on the NQF)
ABET Level 4: Grade 9 equivalent (registered at NQF Level 1)

After completing ABET Level 4, you can apply for an Adult Matric course if you meet the entry requirements.

You’ve already taken the first brave step by looking into ABET. Why stop here? Let’s turn your ABET Level 4 into a gateway to your Matric!

What Is An ABET Qualification?

An ABET Qualification is a qualification that is issued by Umalusi. The ABET Level 4, in particular, is an Adult Qualification that is registered on the NQF Level system and is at NQF Level 1.

This qualification is equivalent to a Grade 9 Certificate or the old Standard 7 Certificate.

ABET is part of the General Education and Training sector in South Africa. In this sector, students learn general foundation learning skills such as numeracy and literacy. This programme is driven by the government to promote a higher level of education for adult students in the country.

Students who did not pass Grade 9 can get the opportunity to improve these skills and get the chance to empower themselves.

What Will I Learn In An ABET Qualification?

These qualifications were created to provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed for specific learning areas. They cover different subjects to ensure that you have an understanding of both numeracy and literacy.

The education and training modules include:

Language: basic literacy and communicating
Mathematics: Literacy, advanced mathematics and mathematical sciences
Natural Sciences
Social Sciences
Economic and Management Sciences
Human Sciences
Technology
Life Orientation
Arts and Culture

You may also choose subjects that are directly linked to your career. They help students have a better understanding of their working environment. These courses may include the following fields of study:

SMMEs (small, medium and micro enterprises)
Retail and wholesale
Travel and tourism
Ancillary healthcare

What Is The Pass Mark For ABET Level 4?

To pass ABET Level 4, you need to achieve at least 50% in each learning area. This ensures that you’ve built a strong foundation in literacy, numeracy, and other core subjects. Keep in mind that if you score below this, you may have to redo certain subjects before you can receive your ABET Level 4 Certificate.

What Is The Process To Study An ABET Qualification?

Before you apply for any ABET Qualification, you need to meet the following entry requirements:

Be 21 or older
You must have a valid identity document or birth certificate
A Grade 9 Certificate must be your highest level of education. If you have a qualification to pass a Grade 9 level, you will not qualify for the ABET Qualification

Follow these simple steps to start your ABET Qualification:

Step 1: Register with your local ABET centre
Step 2: Submit your ID document and registration form
Step 3: You have to pay the required fee at your chosen ABET Centre – fees will vary from centre to centre

NOTE:

Most ABET Centres have certain courses available at certain times of the year. Always make sure you check with your centre when the courses are available.

The entire process for the ABET Qualification takes up to two weeks.

What Can I Do With An ABET Level 4 Qualification?

After you have completed your ABET Level 4, you can do the following:

Find entry-level employment
Further your studies at Matric College
Further your studies at a TVET College

Find Entry-Level Employment

You can get entry-level employment with your ABET Level 4 Qualification. Here are the jobs that you can apply for:

Babysitting
Construction Worker
Department of Health Cleaner
Entrepreneur
Factory Worker
General Foreman (Grounds and Gardening)
General Worker
Retail Worker
Sales Assistant
School Caretaker
Sterilization Production Operator
Steward
Warehouse Worker

Where Can I Work With Abet Level 4 Certificate?

With an ABET Level 4 Certificate, you can find many starter jobs. You could work in a shop, in a factory, as a cleaner, or as a general worker. It’s a good way to earn money and gain experience while you work towards getting your Matric.

Further Your Studies At Matric College

One of our entry requirements for our Adult Matric Course is an ABET Level 4 Qualification. After you have completed your ABET Qualification, you can further your studies and get your Matric Certificate, which you can then use to apply for our NATED Courses as well as our ICB Courses.

If you are not interested in the above-mentioned courses, you can apply for our short courses without a Matric Certificate:

*All of our Short Courses are done in partnership with Skills Academy.

Further Your Studies At A TVET College

You can also further your studies at a TVET College. Most TVET Colleges provide students with NC (V) courses. The minimum requirements for these courses are only a Grade 9 or ABET Level 4 Qualification.

What Can I Study If I Have An ABET Level 4?

You can study the following courses if you have an ABET Level 4:

Adult Matric Courses
NC (V) Courses

I did my Matric as an adult with them and received my Umalusi Matric Certificate. This is a good college because i could study and work at the same time. The friendly support team helped me through my studies and got to make friends all over South Africa because of their whatsapp study groups. Everything was easy from registration at the college to registering with the department of education to write the exams. I would definitely recommend this college to anyone who want to study. – Mohamed A

Adult Matric

NC (V) Courses

One of the main entry requirements for the Adult Matric Course is a Grade 9 equivalent qualification, amongst others. Take a look at the following:

An ABET Level 4 Qualification with two official languages
Grade 9 with proof
Need to be comfortable with distance learning
Apply As early as 19 and write exams at 21
Read, write and understand either English or Afrikaans

Your opportunities are endless after you have successfully completed our Adult Matric Course.

Here are some of the important factors you need to consider when you receive your Matric results and consider applying to a university:

You Matric Pass Level:
- Bachelor’s Degree Matric Pass Level (Most universities, if not all only accept this Matric Pass Level)
- Diploma Matric Pass Level
- Higher Certificate Matric Pass Level
- National Senior Certificate Matric Pass Level
Your APS Score:
Each university has its own APS Score and a separate APS Score for each course
The subjects that you choose:
You might have the correct APS Score and Matric Pass Level but you do not have the subjects required for the course
E.g You must have Physical Sciences to apply for a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics

There are some important factors you need to consider when you receive your Matric results and consider applying to a university.

National Certificate (Vocational) Courses are courses that students can complete at TVET College after they have completed Grade 9. With these industry-specific courses, students can finish their Matric and learn skills they will need in the workplace.

These courses were specifically designed to ensure that students complete their Matric and become successful in the career of their choice.

Here are the different NCV Levels:

NC (V) Level 2 – Equivalent to Grade 10 (NQF Level 2)
NC (V) Level 3 – Equivalent to Grade 11 (NQF Level 3)
NC (V) Level 4 – Equivalent to Grade 12 (NQF Level 4)

The NC (V) courses were designed to address the skills that are in demand in the South African economy. Here is a list of the NC (V) courses that you can complete:

Civil Engineering
Electrical Infrastructure Construction
Engineering and Related Design
Education and Development
Finance, Economics, and Accounting
Hospitality
Information Technology and Computer Science
Marketing
Management
Office Administration
Primary Agriculture
Primary Health
Safety in Society
Tourism

A learner will qualify for a National Certificate Vocational after completing all levels. Students must take a total of seven subjects to obtain a National Certificate Vocational. There are three fundamental subjects and four vocational/compulsory subjects.

The three fundamental subjects are:

English
Mathematics for engineering courses or Mathematics Literacy for business studies courses
Life Orientation

All applicants who are successful in their application for NC(V) will also be eligible for a bursary scheme run by the Department of Education.

Students will essentially have the following options after they have completed their NC (V):

Access work opportunities in a work environment or relevant to his/her vocational specialisation
Access workplace with occupational specialisation
Decide to progress into higher education
Pursue further training in N4, N5 and N6
Go into self-employment

Don’t let your ABET Certificate collect dust. Use it as a launchpad to study further, earn more, and rewrite your future story

What Can Affect My Application For Further Education?

Many factors can contribute to whether a college or university accepts you or not. Some of these factors are your Matric pass level, your APS score and even the subjects you chose. Here is a breakdown of each factor we mentioned:

You Matric Pass Level
Your APS Score
The Subjects That You Choose

You Matric Pass Level

There are four different pass levels for Matric students. Each level indicates to both employers and tertiary institutions the level of skills and understanding you have obtained. That is why trying for the highest marks possible has better opportunities than just passing Matric. Here is why:

Bachelor’s Degree Pass Level	Diploma Pass Level	Higher Certificate Pass Level	National Senior Certificate Pass Level
Need to pass your Home Language with 40% Pass four subjects with 50% Pass other subjects with 30%	Need to pass your Home Language with 40% Pass four subjects with 40% Pass other subjects with 30%	Need to pass your Home Language with 40% Pass two subjects with 40% Pass other subjects with 30%	Need to pass your Home Language with 40% Pass two subjects with 40% Pass other subjects with 20%

Your APS Score

The Admission Point Score is used as a measurement of a student’s performance in their NSC Exam. The APS system works in levels from 1 to 7. With one being the lowest and 7 being the highest (Distinction).

There are ranges of the different percentages that represent an APS level. Here is an overview:

Not Achieved: 0%-29% = 1
Elementary: 30%-39% = 2
Adequate: 40% – 49% = 3
Moderate: 50% – 59% = 4
Substantial: 60% – 69% = 5
Meritorious: 70% – 79% = 6
Outstanding: 80% – 100% = 7

The Subjects That You Choose

Even though you might have the correct APS Score and Matric Pass Level. You may not have the subjects required for the programme you want to apply for. For example, you must have Physical Sciences to apply for a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics

Is ABET Level 4 Equivalent To Matric?

No, ABET Level 4 is not Equivalent to Matric. ABET Level 4 is at NQF Level 1 and Matric is at NQF Level 4. Many students get confused with the NQF Levels and the ABET Levels. Here are some of the differences between these two qualifications:

ABET Level 4	Matric
NQF Level 1	NQF Level 4
120 credits	130 credits
You can complete an NC (V) course at a TVET College after this qualification	You can complete a degree course at a university after completing this qualification

What ABET Level Is Equivalent To Matric?

There is no ABET Level equivalent to Matric. ABET Levels only go up to a Grade 9 Certificate, which is an NQF Level 1.

Can You Go To University With ABET Level 4?

No, you cannot go to university with ABET Level 4. ABET Level 4 is at NQF Level 1, which is a Grade 9 Certificate. To gain entry to a university, you have to complete your Matric with a Bachelor’s Degree Matric Pass Level.

Is An ABET Level 4 Qualification Equivalent To A Degree?

No, an ABET Level 4 Qualification is not equivalent to a Degree. An ABET Level 4 is at NQF Level 1 whereas a Degree is at NQF Level 7.

What Have We Learned About An ABET Level 4 Qualification?

Here are the most important factors to consider when we look at an ABET Level 4 Qualification:

An ABET Level 4 Qualification is at NQF Level 1
A Matric Qualification is at NQF Level 4

These two qualifications should not be confused with one another. They are not the same qualification. You can apply with an ABET Level 4 Qualification for our Adult Matric Course.

ABET Level 4 may not be Matric, but it’s the bridge that gets you there. Take that step and open the door to better opportunities.

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Confused About ABET And Matric? Get The Answers You Deserve

Last Updated : March 30, 2026