APS stands for Admission Point Score. Your APS score is important for your acceptance into higher education institutions. It guides you if you are not sure what you want to study, and it shows you which universities or programmes you qualify for.
How The APS Is Calculated?
Here is what you need to know about APS calculations:
- The actual marks in each subject that you get range from 0 to 100 %
- Each mark is given a point score that ranges from 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest and 1 being the lowest. For example, if your mark in Mathematics is 45% the point score allocated to that mark is 3
- To get your total point score, you add the APS of six or five of your best subjects
The table below is the APS calculator:
| Matric Subject Symbol / Mark Obtained in Matric exam | APS (Admission Point Score) |
| A (80 – 100%) | 7 |
| B (70 – 79%) | 6 |
| C (60 – 69%) | 5 |
| D (50 – 59%) | 4 |
| E (40 – 49%) | 3 |
| F (30 – 39%) | 2 |
| G (0 – 29%) | 1 |
How Much Should My APS Score Be?
Your APS score depends on the Matric pass level that you have. Here are the Matric pass levels:
Bachelor’s Degree Pass
A Bachelor’s Degree Pass is the best way to pass, it is the highest Matric pass. Many students who earn distinctions usually achieve a Bachelors pass.
The minimum requirements to get a Bachelor’s Degree Pass are as follows:
- Get 40% for your Home Language
- Get 50% for four other Higher Credit subjects
- Get 30% for one other subject for the Senior Certificate (Amended) / Obtain 30% for two other subjects for the National Senior Certificate
Diploma Pass
The minimum requirements to get this certificate are as follows:
- Get 40% for your Home Language
- Get 40% for four other High Credit subjects
- Get 30% for two other subjects for the National Senior Certificate
Higher Certificate Pass
A Higher Certificate Pass allows students to enrol at a college or distance learning institution.
The minimum requirements to get this certificate are as follows:
- Get 40% in your Home Language
- Get 40% in two other subjects
- Get 30% for three other subjects for the National Senior Certificate
- One of your Home Languages must be English or Afrikaans to qualify for this certificate
National Senior Certificate Pass
The minimum requirements to get this certificate are as follows:
- Pass at least 3 subjects with 40%. One of these subjects should be an official Home Language.
- Pass at least 2 subjects with 30%. One of these subjects should be a First Additional Language or Home Language.
- You are allowed to fail 1 subject. The minimum percentage you can get for this subject is 20%
How Many Subjects Do You Need To Pass Matric?
You need five or six subjects to pass Matric. Here is how you can pass Matric:
| Adult Matric | To pass Adult Matric, you need to complete a total of six subjects. Out of the six subjects, you have to pass at least five subjects |
| High School Matric | To pass your high school Matric, you need to complete a total of seven subjects. Out of the seven subjects, you have to pass at least six subjects |
What Are High Credit Subjects?
High credit subjects are the subjects that have a higher rating when you apply for a place at a University. For example, Life Orientation is a low-credit subject. Some Universities do not include this subject in your APS score. Here is a list of high-credit subjects:
Languages
- Afrikaans
- English
- IsiNdebele
- isiXhosa
- Isizulu
- Sepedi
- Sesotho
- Setswana
- Siswati
- Tshivenda
- Xitsonga
Non-Languages
- Accounting
- Agricultural Science
- Business Studies
- Consumer Studies
- Dramatic Arts
- Economics
- Engineering Graphics and Design
- Geography
- History
- Information Technology
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Literacy
- Music
- Physical Sciences
- Religion Studies
- Visual Arts
What Does B Mean In The Matric Results?
B means that you have obtained between the 70 – 79% mark in your subject and an APS score of 6. Here is the meaning of the other Matric symbols:
| Matric Subject Symbol | Mark Obtained in Matric exam | APS (Admission Point Score) | Achievement Description |
| A+ | 80 – 100% | 7 | Outstanding |
| A | 70 – 79% | 6 | Meritorious |
| B | 60 – 69% | 5 | Substantial |
| C | 50 – 59% | 4 | Moderate |
| D | 40 – 49% | 3 | Adequate |
| E | 30 – 39% | 2 | Elementary |
| F | 0 – 29% | 1 | Not Achieved |
What Is The Highest APS Score?
Since the highest APS score in a subject is 7 points, your 6 best subjects will give you the highest APS score of 42.
Which Subjects Count For APS?
Here are the subjects that count for APS:
- Accounting
- Agricultural Science
- Business Studies
- Consumer Studies
- Dramatic Arts
- Economics
- Engineering Graphics and Arts
- Geography
- History
- Information Technology
- Languages
- Life Sciences
- Mathematical Literacy
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physical Science
- Religion Studies
- Visual Arts
What Can I Study With A National Senior Certificate Pass?
Here is what you can study with a National Senior Certificate pass:
NATED Courses
ICB Courses
What Can I Study With A National Senior Certificate Pass?
Here is what you can study with a National Senior Certificate pass:
- Business Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Business Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
- Business Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
- Business Management: NATED N6 National Diploma
- Marketing Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Marketing Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
- Marketing Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
- Marketing Management: NATED N6 National Diploma
- Management Assistant NATED N4 National Certificate
- Management Assistant NATED N5 National Certificate
- Management Assistant NATED N6 National Certificate
- Management Assistant NATED N6 National Diploma
- Financial Management NATED N4 National Certificate
- Financial Management NATED N5 National Certificate
- Financial Management NATED N6 National Certificate
- Financial Management NATED N6 National Diploma
Human Resources Management Courses
- Human Resource Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Human Resource Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
- Human Resource Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
- Human Resource Management: NATED N6 National Diploma
- Educare NATED N4 National Certificate
- Educare NATED N5 National Certificate
- Educare NATED N6 National Certificate
- Educare NATED N6 National Diploma
- Legal Secretary NATED N4 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary NATED N5 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma
ICB Business Management Programme:
- Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate
- Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate
- Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma
How Can I Pass Matric Easily?
Matric College makes it easy for you to study smart. As soon as you register. Here is how you will proceed:
- Receive the first package of your study materials within 5 – 7 days of registration
- Write and submit your assignments
- Receive feedback from your tutors
- Interact with fellow students and lecturers continuously when studying
- Make use of our past exam papers to prepare better for exams
- Get help with your exam registration
- Sit for your examinations in May and June
- Pass your exams and get your certificate from Umalusi
- Apply to combine the old and the Matric results
- Receive your combined best results certificate from Umalusi
Do Universities Accept Upgraded Marks?
Yes, universities accept upgraded marks. Remember that Matric Upgrade, just like the Second Chance, is an official government programme. You will be accepted by any university if you meet the required APS.
How Long Is A Matric Year?
The average time required to complete your Matric is three years. Matric consists of these three grades:
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
If you plan on completing your Adult Matric at Matric College, you have the following time frames to complete your Matric:
One Year
Complete your Matric in just one year. This is for students who have enough time on their hands. You can complete all six subjects in one year.
Two Years
You can also complete your Matric in two years. This way you can complete three subjects in the first year and another three subjects in your second year.
Three Years
The three-year plan is usually for students who do not have enough time. In the three years, you can complete two subjects in your first year, another two subjects in your second year and the final two subjects in your third and final year.
What Does The Codes On My Statements Of Results Mean?
Here are the symbols and codes that can appear on your Matric statement of results:
| MATRIC CODE / SYMBOL | MEANING |
| Bachelor’s Degree Pass | B |
| Diploma Pass | D |
| Higher Certificate Pass | H |
| Not Achieved | Does not qualify for NSC / SC(A) |
| NSC/BACH | National Senior Certificate, qualifies for studying a Bachelor’s Degree |
| NSC/DIP | National Senior Certificate, qualifies towards studying for a Diploma |
| NSC/HC | National Senior Certificate, qualifies towards studying a Higher Certificate |
| NSC | Achieved the National Senior Certificate only |
| NSC/LSEN | National Senior Certificate, a learner with special educational needs |
| 999 | Absent |
| 888 | Subject change |
| 777 | Outstanding mark |
| zz | Ending (irregularity) |
| px | Null and void (irregularity) |
| mo | Marks outstanding |
People Also Ask
Yes, an APS score of 23 is the minimum score you can achieve, allowing you to study for a Bachelor’s degree in university.
Each pass has a different score and each score has different opportunities for you after receiving your matric or adult matric certificate.
Bachelor’s Degree pass
The minimum score one can receive for a Bachelor’s pass is 23 points or higher and allows you to study at any university.
National Diploma pass
For a Diploma pass, the minimum score you can achieve is 19 and this score allows you to study at any university of technology.
Higher Certificate pass
A Higher certificate has a minimum score of 15 points and this allows you to enroll at any college
NSC pass
Finally, a National Senior Certificate pass has a score of 14 and if you receive this pass you are encouraged to apply for supplementary exams
If you have a low APS score for university, then there are many options you can pursue. Matric College offers a Matric Rewrite course for students who have recently finished high school and want a chance to change their marks for the better.
We also offer the Adult Matric and Matric Upgrade courses for students 21 and over who are either:
No, you can’t fail matric if you fail 1 subject. Each subject has an APS score and this means that if you have good marks on every other subject then you could even go to university or college if you meet the requirements.
Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: May 26, 2022