Matric Exam Results: Eastern Cape

If you failed Matric, you can apply for the Rewrite Matric Course and improve your results. We also have tutors and study materials to assist you as you study.

Eastern Cape has improved its pass rate. The province had a 68.1% Matric pass rate in 2020, and they added 4.9% in 2021 which resulted in a 73% pass rate. The 2022 and 2023 pass rates also increased the overall pass rate of the province. 2022 saw a 4.3% increase, making the year’s pass rate 77.3% and 2023 had the highest matric pass rate of 81.4% in the province since 2019 and 2022, respectively.

In the past years, Eastern Cape has had the following pass rates yearly:

  • 2023: 81.4%
  • 2022: 77.3%
  • 2021: 73% 
  • 2020: 68.1% 
  • 2019: 76.5 %
  • 2018: 70.6%
  • 2017: 65%
  • 2016: 63.3%

2016

Eastern Cape released a Matric pass rate of 63.3% in 2016. They showed improvement from the previous year. In 2015, the province had a pass rate of 56.8%. This means they increased their pass rate by 6.5%. 

2017

The Eastern Cape Province had a Matric pass rate of 65% in 2017. The province improved their marks based on the previous year. In 2016, they had a pass rate of 59.3%. This shows that they added a pass rate of 5.7%.

2019

The Eastern Cape has a record of improving its Matric pass rate year after year. In 2019, they improved their Matric pass rate by 5.9%. In 2018, they had a pass rate of 70.5% which they improved to 76.5% in 2019.

2020

In 2020, the world was affected by the COVID-19 virus. This affected the pass rate in many provinces, including the Eastern Cape. The province moved from 76.5% to 68.1%. This means that there was a drop in the level of passing. This drop amounted to 8.4%.

Compared to a 76.5% pass rate in 2019, there was a decline of 8.5%, which leaves the Eastern Cape with a pass rate of 68.1% for the class of 2020.

2021

Eastern Cape redeemed itself last year. The province had a 76.5% pass rate in 2019 which dropped to 68.1% in 2020. In 2021, they improved by 4.9% and released a pass rate of 73%.

2022

In 2022, the Matric pass rate in the Eastern Cape remained the same at 73%. This would be the highest pass rate the province received since 2019’s 76.5%, and it would go even higher in the following year.

2023

The province would reach a new record for themselves, adding another 4.1% to their pass rate and reaching 81.4%. While the Eastern Cape is the 6th highest province in South Africa, the improvements made to their pass rate are big and show the education department’s dedication to the students’ success.

Eastern Cape Quality Of Passes

In 2020, the world was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools had to close down for a certain time. Students were at home learning online. This affected the pass rate all over the country. 

Over 79 000 students wrote their Matric in the Eastern Cape. Of the 79 000 students, 21 886 students passed the exam with a Bachelor’s Degree Pass (30%). 17 753 students passed with a Diploma Pass (24.3%) and Higher Certificate Pass (13.8%). 13 students passed with the National Senior Certificate pass (NSC)

Eastern Cape received an overall pass rate of 68.1% in 2020. 

Watch Our Principal Of Matric College Jan Badenhorst, Explain The Eastern Cape Pass Rate Over The Past Ten Years

How Can I Check My 2023 Matric Results Online In The Eastern Cape?

Students who wrote their Matric in Eastern Cape can check their Matric results online by doing the following: 

  • Visit the Department of Basic Education (DBE) Website 
  • Select the “Examination Results” button 
  • Press the NSC exam results search button 
  • Please include your exam number as requested 
  • Add more personal details if required 
  • Press the search button 
  • You will see your results as soon as they are available

How Can I Get My Matric Results Via SMS In 2023?

To receive your Matric results through the SMS option on your cellphone, you can follow these simple steps: 

  • Open the SMS menu on your cellphone
  • In the SMS, write your examination number 
  • Send your exam number to this number: 45856 (please note that the code may change at any moment) 
  • It will cost you R1.50 to send the SMS (please note this fee may change annually) 
  • Your Matric results will be sent to you once they are available 

Watch Our Principal Of Matric College, Jan Badenhorst Explain How You Can Access Your Matric Results Through SMS

How Do I Get My Matric Results?

You can get your Matric results in different ways. You can choose which method you prefer best. Below is a list of different ways in which you can receive your Matric results: 

  • High School 
  • Newspaper 
  • USSD 

High School

You can get your Matric results through the High School or exam centre where you wrote the Matric final examination. They will be able to provide your Matric statement of results and Matric Certificate. 

Newspaper

Certain newspaper publications print Matric results as soon as they are released by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Please note that results are usually released at the beginning of the year in January. This means that you should buy the newspaper as soon as the results are out. 

The newspapers follow the POPI Act, which means your personal information will not be shown to protect your identity. 

Some of the newspapers that release Matric results include the following: 

USSD

You can access your Matric results using the USSD method. This is how you can do it: 

  • Open the dialling pad on your cellphone 
  • Dial *120*45856# (this code is subject to change) 
  • Personal details may be requested
  • Fill out the details until you receive your Matric results 

Independent Examination Board (IEB) Results

The Independent Examination Board (IEB) is an assessment agency in South Africa. They offer exams to different institutions, especially private schools. If you wrote exams set by the IEB, you will receive Matric results through the IEB. Here is how you can see your results:

  • SMS 
  • School 
  • Online

SMS

  • Go to the SMS menu on your mobile device
  • Type in your exam number and date of birth in the format: yyyy/mm/dd
  • Send the SMS to the code: 35135 (SMS code may change)
  • You will receive confirmation that your registration has been approved
  • You will receive your Matric results as soon as they become available
NOTE: To send the above SMS costs R3.

School

Your Matric results are available at the school where you wrote your Matric final examination. Please contact your school to hear when you can collect your Matric results

Online

You can register to check your results on the IEB website as soon as they are available. Here is how you can do it: 

  • Register at the IEB website 
  • You will need to provide your exam number and date of birth
  • When you have registered your details, you will be able to view your results

For additional methods to access your results, you can also check out the News24 website. You will have to register to get the results. 

How Do I Get A Matric If I Left School?

You can get a Matric through Matric College if you have left school. This applies if you are 21 years or older and have a Grade 9 or ABET level 4 certificate. You can apply for the Adult Matric Course. This course will provide you with insight into several Matric subjects

When you finish the course, you will be awarded a Matric Qualification issued by Umalusi

You can use your Matric results to study through Matric College. This applies whether you failed or passed Matric. If you have never reached Matric, we also have courses for you. Come and begin a successful journey with us. 

Can I Rewrite or Upgrade My Matric Results?

Yes, if you recently wrote your Matric exams in Grade 12, or you want to upgrade and add new subjects to your Matric certificate, you can enrol in our Matric Upgrade and Matric Rewrite courses. The Matric Rewrite course is designed for students under 21 to rewrite their matric exams for better marks. This allows them to receive a better matric pass and opportunities for further studies. The Matric Upgrade course however allows students who are 21 and over to upgrade their marks and add new subjects to their matric certificate. So if you want to study a certain course at University, get a better matric pass or create better chances for your career, this course can help you in your journey. Here is the course information on the Matric Rewrite and Matric Upgrade courses:
General Information Matric Rewrite Matric Upgrade
Certificate Type: National Senior Certificate (NSC) Senior Certificate (Amended)
Awarded By: Umalusi Umalusi
Award Type: National Senior Certificate (NSC) and a Programme Completion Certificate National Certificate and a Programme Completion Certificate
NQF Level: Level 4 Level 4
SAQA ID: 4964 4964
Credits: 130 130
Entry Requirements:
  • An incomplete Matric result or
  • Your final Matric results
  • An incomplete Matric result or
  • Your final Matric results

What Can I Study If I Failed Matric?

Failing Matric is not the end of the road. If you failed Matric, you can study through Matric College. We have a variety of courses that you can enrol for without a Matric Qualification. These courses include the following:

Programme:Summary:Courses:
Short Courses:You can study Short Courses to obtain a set of skills which can be used for employment or entrepreneurship purposes.
ICB Courses:You can enrol for the ICB Courses to gain skills which are in demand in South Africa and knowledge in business. This can be used in employment or starting a business.

People Also Ask

Bachelor’s Degree pass, Diploma Pass and Higher Certificate pass are the three matric passes students receive based on their final marks and APS score. Each pass is important for a student’s future because it can open different pathways.

Matric PassRequirements (minimum):APS score (minimum):Further study options:
Bachelor’s pass
  • 40% for Home Language
  • 50% for 4 other subjects, excluding Life Orientation
  • 30% for 2 other subjects
  • Pass 6 out of 7 subjects
23University Degree
Diploma pass
  • 40% for Home Language
  • 40% for 4 other subjects, excluding Life Orientation
  • 30% for 2 other subjects
  • Pass 6 out of 7 subjects
19University of Technology or TVET college
Higher Certificate pass
  • 40% for Home Language
  • 40% for 2 other subjects
  • 30% for 3 other subjects
  • Pass 6 out of 7 subjects
15College (Skills certificate)

The Admission Points Score (APS) is a system used by the government and students to determine whether a student passed or failed Matric and what Matric pass they will receive. It calculates the codes you have received for your subjects and the total of the codes is your APS score.

For example:

  • English – 65% (Code 5)
  • Maths Literacy – 55% (4)
  • isiXhosa First Additional Language – 60% (5)
  • Life Orientation – 71% (6) – LO is excluded from the calculation
  • Economics – 50% (4)
  • Business Studies – 44% (3)
  • Life Sciences – 49% (3)

Subject codes calculation: 5+4+5+4+3+3 
Total APS = 24 points
Matric pass = Bachelor’s Degree pass

No, once you receive your matric results, they will be connected to you and your education journey via your Matric certificate given to you by Umalusi. 

The only document a Matriculant receives that is valid for a limited time is a Matric statement. Matric statements are only valid for a year and are a temporary holdover for your main Matric certificate, which you only receive after 4–6 weeks from getting your matric statement.

Author: Mulisa Nethononda
Editor: Stacey Christian
Date Published:  December 06, 2022