Your Matric pass levels and symbols do more than measure how well you did in exams they point you toward what’s possible next. From degrees to diplomas to certificates, your results show you the study paths that are within your reach. Understanding them is the first step to making smart choices about your future and taking control of where you’re headed.
What Are The Symbols For Matric?
Matric symbols are essentially the grades you receive in your final results. These symbols are categorised in alphabetical order. With the highest symbol being A. You will come to see that these symbols could be represented differently. Sometimes the lowest symbol is “G”, and sometimes it is “FF”.
What is important, regardless of what the symbols being used are, is your understanding of the linkage between the percentages and the symbols. Take the following table as a guide to what to expect:
| Matric Symbol | Marks Achieved | Description | APS Score |
| A | 80-100% | Outstanding Achievement | 7 |
| B | 70-79% | Meritorious Achievement | 6 |
| C | 60-69% | Substantial Achievement | 5 |
| D | 50-59% | Adequate Achievement | 4 |
| E | 40-49% | Moderate Achievement | 3 |
| F | 30-39% | Elementary Achievement | 2 |
| G | 0-29% | Not Achieved | 1 |
Remember that the symbols are not always represented in the same way. What is rather essential is your APS score and the percentage you received for each subject. These are what institutions refer to when they view your application.
What Is An A+ Level Pass?
An A+ level ranges from 80% to 100%. These results are considered as an outstanding achievement. It is therefore also known that if a student passes with these results, they pass with distinction.
If you receive an A+ you will likely be receiving priority when it comes to admission for programmes at a university or college. Ensuring that you pass your Matric with great results, can work in your favour. Both tertiary institutions and employers value hard workers. Your achievement will not go unnoticed.
Don’t let your results collect dust turn them into a roadmap for what comes next.
What Are The Levels Of Passing Matric?
There are four levels of passing Matric. Each level has a certain percentile you will be required to meet. Even though these pass levels are all considered a Matric pass. They each determine the tertiary qualification you will be able to complete. Here are the Matric Pass Levels, arranged from highest to lowest:
- A minimum of 40% in your Home Language
- A minimum of 50% in four subjects
- A minimum of 30% in two other subjects
- A minimum of 40% in your Home Language
- A minimum of 40% in four subjects
- A minimum of 30% in two other subjects
- A minimum of 40% in your Home Language
- A minimum of 40% in two subjects
- A minimum of 30% in four other subjects
National Senior Certificate Pass
- 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
These are the general criteria for each passing level, however, differences can be seen. Take the Senior Certificate as an example. The pass criteria differ as well:
- Pass two subjects at 30%;
- One of them needs to be either a First Additional Language or a Home Language
- Pass three subjects at 40%;
- One of them must be either a First Additional Language or a Home Language
- Receive a minimum of 20% in your sixth subject
If your pass level isn’t what you hoped for, don’t lose heart it’s still a step forward, and there are doors waiting to open
What Is A Bachelor's Degree Pass?
So focusing on all your subjects is important. Be sure that you also align your subjects to the career you want to pursue. Being prepared ahead of time will save you from having to complete bridging courses.
There are however options after Matric that are offered if you wish to rewrite specific subjects or add new ones. At Matric College we offer these courses for improved results:
These courses are available both full-time and part-time. Each student that enrols with us will receive the following help to prepare you for the exams:
- Tutors
- Course Experts
- Study material
- Grade 12 past exam papers and memorandums
What Is The Difference Between A Bachelor’s Degree Pass And A Higher Certificate Pass?
While both pass levels assure institutions and employers that an individual has passed Matric. The level you passed, indicates how well you have performed in your exams. The subjects covered in Matric provide students with the skills and knowledge needed for entry-level jobs. As well as basic knowledge for more specialised tertiary programmes.
With a Bachelor’s pass, you will be able to study for a degree and any qualification lower. However, with a Higher Certificate pass, you will only be able to progress from higher certificate qualifications. After which you will only then be able to complete either a diploma or degree in the same field of study.
Higher certificates in universities and colleges are essentially bridging courses. These cover subjects that could potentially be in the first year of your chosen degree programme. Still, once you weigh the time consumed to finish a tertiary qualification. Passing with a Bachelor’s allows you to complete your degree in the standard duration.
Whereas your Higher Certificate pass will add a year or two, possibly extending the time to complete your degree to 5 or 6 years. Therefore, you should always aim for higher marks in your Matric Exams, to prevent taking longer routes.
If you didn’t achieve a Bachelor’s Pass, don’t panic you can still rewrite or upgrade your subjects and improve your results
What Are High Credit Subjects?
High-credit subjects are those that are regarded as important when you apply to university. These Matric subjects offer a basic understanding of future tertiary qualifications. They are also used to calculate your Admission Point Score.
Keep in mind that because Life Orientation is considered a low credit subject, it would be excluded when calculating your APS score. Below is a list of High Credit subjects:
Language Subjects
Non-languages
- Agricultural Science
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Literacy
- Music
- Business Studies
- Consumer Studies
- Dramatic Arts
- Visual Arts
- Economics
- Engineering Graphics and Design
- Geography
- History
- Information Technology
- Life Sciences
- Accounting
- Physical Sciences
- Religion Studies
How Do I Calculate My APS?
Your subjects’ percentages are converted to points ranging from 1-7. The lowest APS score is converted to 1 and represents the range between 0% and 29%. Whereas the highest score 7, represents the range from 80% -100%. Before you learn to calculate the score, ask yourself this, what is the APS score used for?
This system is used by universities when they consider your application. These points will be compared to the entry requirements for the qualification you want to apply for. Summing up the points from all your high-credit subjects, the total will be considered and measured against the tertiary qualification.
Take this time to go over the table we provided and consider this example:
- English First Additional Language – 74% = 6 points
- Tshivenda Home Language – 72% = 6 points
- Agricultural Sciences- 56% = 4 points
- Life Sciences- 85% = 7 points (Distinction)
- Geography – 76% = 6 points
- Mathematics – 53% = 4 points
- Life Orientation – 65% = (We do not include L.O in APS calculations)
Your Total: 6 + 6 + 4 + 7 + 6 + 4 = 33 APS Score
So if you meet the requirements, you will be accepted, if your APS score does not match the programme you are interested in, you could consider a lower qualification. Some universities allow you the option to choose a backup qualification. Be sure to always be well versed with the qualifications criteria you are interested in. Add a second option if you are still unsure about your eligibility for the university programme.
At Matric College we allow you to join our accredited Diploma courses, as long as you have passed Matric. Each course has foundational levels that will help ease your understanding and prepare you for more advanced topics.
if your APS score feels lower than expected, explore which subjects you could rewrite or upgrade to boost it
What Can I Study With A 17 APS?
If you have passed Matric, you can study our courses regardless of what your APS Score is. We believe that the foundational courses of our programmes will give you enough knowledge to progress until you have achieved your diploma. The following courses can be studied with a Matric qualification:
NATED Courses
NATED Courses are created by the DHET to reduce the unemployment rate in South Africa. When you study NATED Courses, you acquire skills and knowledge that are required in the workplace.
Because the diplomas require you to have 18 months of practical experience, that will be logged in. This can be a great advantage for career opportunities. When you finish studying your desired course. You are awarded a NATED Qualification. You can use this to find employment. Below is a list of the NATED Courses you can enrol for:
ICB Courses
ICB Courses are created by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers to assist students who want to gain employment or become an entrepreneur by opening a business.. When you study ICB Courses, you obtain knowledge and skills that are in demand.
This enables an increase in your chances of getting employed. When you have completed an ICB Course, you will receive an ICB Qualification. You can use this to find work. Below is a list of ICB Courses you can enrol for that are accredited by the ICB and awarded by FASSET:
Our ICB courses are great for people who are interested in the operation of a business and how to manage its finances. These courses are also a great choice if you see yourself ensuring that the company runs smoothly with enhanced administration skills.
Short Courses
Our short courses are created to help students get skills that are good for work and business. When you study short courses, you gain different skills that can be used to open a business or find employment. When you complete short courses, you gain a certificate qualification which you can use to get employment or start your business.
Here are the courses available through distance learning at Matric College:
- Tourism Management Courses
- Guest House Management Courses
- Events Management Courses
- Wedding Planning Courses
- Salon Management Course
- Nail Care Courses
- Make-up Courses
- Facial Skincare Courses
- Beauty Therapy Courses
- First Aid Course
- Crèche Management Courses
- Child Day Care Courses
- Child Psychology Courses
These courses are packed with all the knowledge and skills you will need to start, manage and maintain your business! They have different durations expanding from a few months to a year (12 months).
Matric College Team are the most supportive team. I have no complaints on anything they do. They are always there for you in anything you need to know. Thank you Matric College Team for the great support that I get from you guys. – Ashrelucia I
Don’t let your APS hold you back take charge of your future with the courses available to you now
People Also Ask
A diploma pass in matric is the second-highest pass a student can receive. With an APS score of 19, it allows you to study at any University of Technology. However, this pass does not guarantee you entry into a degree programme. You could study NATED courses at Matric College regardless of your APS scores.
42 is the highest score a student can receive. Depending on the marks a student receives for each subject, they receive an APS level ranging from 1 to 7. To calculate the score, you add up all the levels to get their APS score. For example: if you get 7 for all your subjects except for Life Orientation, 7 x 6 = 42.
Life Orientation is excluded when your APS score is calculated. Only high-credited subjects are considered.
The APS score for a Higher Certificate is 15 points. This is the third official pass a student can receive in Matric. It allows them to study in colleges or universities in South Africa for higher certificates or diplomas. This depends on the institution you choose and their programmes’ prerequisites.
Matric College is where you can study any course for the career you want to pursue, such as:
- Matric Courses (To improve your results, or change subjects)
- ICB Courses
- NATED Courses
- Short Courses
- Create a good and realistic study schedule
- Create and organise a study space
- Find good learning methods to make the work easier to understand
- Seek help from tutors and peers
- Use past papers and take notes of your work
- Make sure you sleep enough and manage your time
- Find support from friends and family
- Keep positive
No, NQF Level 5 is not equivalent to Matric. Matric (or the National Senior Certificate) is on NQF Level 4. Level 5 is actually one step above Matric, often representing a post-school qualification like a Higher Certificate, N5 certificate, or the first year of a diploma or degree. So if you have an NQF Level 5 qualification, you’ve already moved beyond Matric level.
Grade 12 Matric refers to the final year of high school in South Africa, where learners complete their National Senior Certificate (NSC). It’s a formal school-leaving qualification that shows you’ve met the academic requirements of basic education. Passing Matric means you’re eligible to apply for jobs, college, or university — depending on your results and the level of pass you achieve (Bachelor’s, Diploma, or Higher Certificate).
You can check your Matric levels by looking at your National Senior Certificate (NSC) or statement of results. Each subject will show a percentage and a corresponding level from 1 to 7:
- Level 7: 80–100% (Outstanding Achievement)
- Level 6: 70–79% (Meritorious Achievement)
- Level 5: 60–69% (Substantial Achievement)
- Level 4: 50–59% (Moderate Achievement)
- Level 3: 40–49% (Adequate Achievement)
- Level 2: 30–39% (Elementary Achievement)
- Level 1: 0–29% (Not Achieved)
You can also request a copy of your results from your school, provincial education department, or check online if they’re still available from the Department of Basic Education.
Level 7 is the highest pass level in Matric. It means you scored between 80% and 100% for a subject. This level is also known as a distinction and shows excellent performance.
A distinction means you got 80% or more in a subject. It’s the top symbol (Level 7) on your Matric certificate and can help with university entry or bursary applications.
Yes, an N3 Certificate can be seen as equal to Grade 12, especially for jobs or further study. It’s part of Technical Matric and includes academic and technical subjects. To make it fully Matric-equivalent, you need two languages and must meet subject pass rules.
No, Level 6 is not a distinction. A Level 6 means you’ve scored between 70% and 79%, which is considered a Meritorious Achievement. A distinction in Matric is awarded when you score 80% and above, which is Level 7. While a Level 6 isn’t officially a distinction, it’s still an excellent result and shows strong academic performance.
To achieve a Bachelor’s Pass, you need to meet the following requirements:
- At least 40% in your Home Language
- At least 50% in four subjects
- At least 30% in two other subjects
This is the highest level of Matric pass, and it allows you to apply for degree programmes at universities (depending on whether you meet APS requirements for the course).
In Matric, a distinction is awarded for any subject where you achieve 80% or above. Distinctions are highly valued by universities and employers as they show consistent hard work and mastery of the subject.
Your Matric aggregate is calculated by finding the average percentage across all your subjects. Add up the percentages of your six best subjects (excluding Life Orientation if required for APS), then divide the total by six. This average gives you a clear picture of your overall performance in Matric.
If you achieve 7 distinctions in Matric, it means you scored 80% or above in seven subjects—an outstanding accomplishment. Students who achieve this level of performance are often celebrated nationally and may qualify for special bursaries, scholarships, and recognition from universities. It greatly increases your chances of being accepted into competitive programmes.
To pass matric, you need at least 40% in your Home Language, 40% in two other subjects, and 30% in three other subjects. You also need to pass at least six out of seven subjects.
An aggregate mark is your average mark across all your subjects. It’s worked out by adding all your subject marks together and dividing them by the number of subjects you wrote.
Author: Mulisa Nethononda
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date : July 13, 2022