What Are The Matric Pass Requirements?

Based on how you performed in your final exams, you will receive a Matric pass level. There are four (4) types of Matric pass levels. You must obtain one of the following to pass Matric:

Matric PassRequirements
Bachelor’s Degree Pass
  • 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
  • A minimum of 40% in your home language 
  • A minimum of 40% in four subjects 
  • A minimum of 30% in two other subjects
Higher Certificate Pass
  • 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

What Is A Distinction Pass?

A distinction pass in Matric is when you obtain a mark of 80% and above. This mark is excellent because it increases your APS score. When you have a good APS score, you have a better chance of getting the following: 

What Is An APS?

An APS is an Admission Point Score. This is a method used by universities to select students who can study at their university. The university sets a specific APS score and whoever meets this score has a chance to be admitted into the university. 

The way that the APS score is determined is through the marks you receive in your final Matric results. Each percentage mark is equal to certain points. 

For example, if you receive a mark of 57% in Life Sciences, this is equal to four (4) APS points. All APS points for all the subjects you studied are combined to create a total APS score. This is what the university looks at when you apply. 

How Are Matric Points Calculated?

Below, we have created a table to show you how the APS points are calculated: 

Percentage 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    

  • English First Language – 58% = 4 points 
  • Tshivenda Home Language – 70% = 6 points 
  • Life Orientation – 79% =  (We do not include L.O in APS calculations)
  • Mathematics – 55% = 4 points 
  • Economics – 66% = 5 points 
  • Business Studies – 82% = 7 points (Distinction)
  • Accounting – 46% = 3 points

TOTAL APS SCORE =  29 POINTS 

What Can I Study With 20 Points?

You can study at Matric College with the APS points you have received. If you have a Matric Certificate, you can study the following courses:

Upgrade Matric Course

Through this course, you will be able to improve your marks and obtain the APS you want. You can then use this to apply to university. You will have support from our tutors. They will assist you in preparing for the exams. You can contact them when you need help understanding your study material. We also provide you with the study material that you will study. 

NATED Courses

You can use your Matric Certificate with any points to study the NATED Programme. This programme is accredited by the DHET and the QCTO. It is specially designed by the DHET to equip you with skills and knowledge that are good for employment. This helps you gain a qualification that is recognised by employers and will get you hired. 

ICB Courses

You can use a Matric Certificate with any APS points to study the ICB Programme. This programme is accredited by the ICB and the QCTO. This programme provides you with scarce skills. These are skills highly valued by employers and increase your chances to gain employment. 

Short Courses

You can study Short courses with or without a Matric Certificate. These courses are not accredited. They are designed by the college to provide you with skills. These skills prepare you for employment. You can also use them to open a business. They are quick to complete and do not have exams, which makes them easy to complete. 

How Are Matric Final Marks Calculated?

The final marks for Matric are calculated based on the following things: 

  • School-Based Assessments 
  • Final Examinations 

School-Based Assessments

The School-based assessments (SBA) create a mark of 25%. SBA assessments include the following: 

  • Tests
  • Presentations
  • Assignments
  • Trail exams (Preliminary exams)
  • June exams

Final Examinations

The final examinations create a mark of 75%. This is combined with the 25% mark from the school-based assessments and creates a final mark. This mark determines if a learner passes Matric or not. 

How Many Subjects Do You Need To Pass Matric?

You need six (6) subjects to pass Matric. In Matric, you have seven (7) subjects and can fail 1 subject. However, passing 6 or all 7 subjects is the best option and can help boost your APS score.

Note: You can not fail your Home Language.

Do You Fail Matric If You Fail Maths?

No, you do not fail Matric if you fail the Maths subject. You can fail one subject from the seven subjects and pass Matric. However, Maths is a very important subject. 

Some universities require that you have at least 60% to study their Degree courses. This means you must make it a priority to pass the subject well to gain admission into their courses.

What Happens If You Fail Matric?

Success can come from failing Matric. This means that even if your marks are not the ones you wanted, you have options for a better outcome. You have an opportunity to create your success through the following:

  • You can study the Rewrite Matric course at Matric College and redo your Matric. 
  • You can study our courses that do not need Matric and gain a qualification for employment or starting a business, and use to find employment or open a business. 

Can I Go To College Without Matric?

Yes, you can go to a college without Matric. You can study at Matric College. We are a distance-learning college. You can study our courses that do not require a Matric Certificate. While you study through us, you do it from home. This gives you more time to study at your own pace.

When you need assistance, we have our Course Experts and tutors to help you. There are study guides that we also send to your doorstep to help in your studies. We also have Red Alert forms that you can complete online during an academic emergency, and we will contact you to resolve the situation.

Where Do I Go After Matric?

After Matric, you can do any of the following things:  

How Is Life After Matric?

Life after Matric is good. This is because you have completed one of the most important stages in life. A Matric qualification is important because it opens many doors. You can use it to study further anywhere in South Africa and study for accredited courses. 

Life after Matric means that you can be independent if you want. You can find work and earn a decent salary. Over time, you can use the experience you have gained to apply for higher positions and earn a higher salary. 

Life after Matric means that you feel more confident in yourself. You can motivate young people that they can also obtain a Matric Certificate if they study hard. You have value and make an impact on society. 

What Job Can I Do After Matric?

These are the careers you can do after Matric: 

  • Personal Assistant 
  • Receptionist 
  • Waiter/Waitress 
  • Student Support Administrator 
  • Store Assistant 
  • Shop Packer 
  • General Worker 
  • Shop Assistant 
  • Sales Assistant 
  • Call Centre Agent 
  • Cashier

Can You Buy Your Matric?

No, you can not buy your Matric Certificate. You can only study if you want to earn a Matric certificate. If you buy this certificate, it is considered a legal offence, and you may face legal consequences for it. 

Can I Do Matric With Grade 9?

Yes, you can do Matric with a Grade 9 Qualification. If you have been out of school for a long time, and do not have Matric, you can apply at Matric College. You can study for the Adult Matric Course

This course is for adults who need a Matric certificate. You can apply with a Grade 9 Certificate. When you complete the course, you will be awarded a Matric Certificate that is issued by Umalusi, which is a Quality Council that issues all Matric Certificates in South Africa. You can use this qualification to apply to university, for work or other opportunities that require it. 

People Also Ask

Upgrading your Matric results with us is a great idea if you want to study towards better opportunities in the future. Not only does our course allow you to upgrade your marks, but you can also add new subjects to your certificate, allowing opportunities such as:

  • Studying the course you want in University
  • You can study from home through distance learning
  • Better career opportunities
  • You gain more knowledge and skills despite age
  • Learning time management to balance studies and other responsibilities
  • You can motivate family and peers to better their marks

Cheating is not advised because if a student is caught in the act, there are penalties that they will have to face. The main penalty is that the student who is caught will not be able to write Matric exams for 1–3 years. 

This penalty is a big disadvantage because it means that a student with plans to study further or start their career after Matric will have to wait until they are allowed to write again.

A Diploma pass has 19 APS points and is the second-highest matric pass in Matric. Each Matric pass has its own APS score, and those scores are the ones that allow students to study after completing Matric.

Author: Mulisa Nethononda 
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date Published: June 10, 2022