When the Matric Class of 2022’s results are released in 2023, all Matriculants will need to know how to access their results. Check out how to find yours here. For any students in Gauteng, we have a list of all the ways you can access your results and how you can do it. You can get your results in the following ways:
- Online
- In Newspapers
- At your school/exam centre
- Via SMS or USSD
Online
The Department of Basic Education publishes the Matric results of all public school Matriculants each year on their website.
You can access your results by going onto the DBE website, and registering with your Exam Number and ID Number, and other personal details, such as your full name. You will then be able to view your results. You can also click “Download” and you will then be able to print them.
Note that you must register before the results are released. Once the results have been released, you will not be able to register to view yours.
If you have any trouble accessing your results, you can contact the Department of Education in Gauteng by calling them:
- Tel: 011 355 0000
- Toll-free: 0800 000 789
If you are an IEB student, you can follow the same steps on the IEB website. All the private school results will be released here.
Another online platform that allows students to access their results is News24.
In Newspapers
Many newspapers publish the Matric results each year. There has been confusion before over whether publishing the results violates the Protection of Personal Information Act (also known as the POPI Act or POPIA).
At Your School Or Exam Centre
Your results will be available at your school or at the exam centre where you wrote your Matric final exams. Contact your school to find out what day you will be able to go and view your results.
Via SMS Or USSD
Matric students can register each year to receive their results either via SMS or from a USSD code.
SMS
To access your results, you can follow these steps:
- Step 1: Open a new SMS message on your phone
- Step 2: Fill in your ID Number and Exam Number as the message
- Step 3: Both numbers must have 13 digits to be accepted
- Step 4: Send the SMS to 45856
- Step 5: Note that the SMS will cost between R1.50 and R3.00 (Free SMS does not apply)
- Step 6: Your exam number and ID number will be checked – if you send incorrect numbers it will not work
- Step 7: You will get your results once they are made available
How To Get Your Matric Results Via SMS
USSD
To access your results with a USSD code, you can follow these steps:
- Dial the official number on your phone (the number has not yet been released for 2023). Once it has been released, you can dial *120*45856#
- You will be required to answer some multiple-choice questions
- Enter your examination number
- Your results will be presented to you
Can I Check My Matric Results With My ID Number?
Yes, you can. You can do this by following these steps:
- Download the MatricsMate App on your phone (download on Google Play Store or Apple Pay Store)
- To access your results, you must enter your ID number and exam number
- You will see your results once they have been released
Can I See My Matric Results Online?
Yes, you can view your results online on the DBE website, or on other news platforms such as News24.
How Many Subjects Do You Need To Pass Matric?
You must pass at least six of your seven subjects to pass Matric. The minimum pass requirements for Matric are as follows:
- 40% or above for your Home Language subject
- 40% or above for two other subjects
- 30% or above for the remaining subjects
- You can fail one subject, except your Home Language
These are the minimum requirements to pass Matric. If you do not achieve these results, you will fail Matric. However, you can then choose to do a Matric Rewrite to improve your results.
You may do a Matric Rewrite as many times as you like. You may rewrite a maximum of four subjects. You cannot change any of your subjects. You must be under the age of 21 to do a Matric Rewrite. If you are 21 or older, you can do a Matric Upgrade instead.
You may do a Matric Upgrade as many times as you like. You may upgrade a maximum of four subjects. However, you may change four subjects instead, if you choose. You may apply as early as 19, but you must be 21 or older to write the exams, because you will write the Adult Matric exams.
What Are The 4 Compulsory Subjects?
The (4) four compulsory subjects you must take in High School are as follows:
- One official South African language at the Home Language level
- One official South African language and the First Additional Language level
- Mathematics OR Mathematical Literacy
- Life Orientation
What Happens If You Fail Two Subjects In Matric?
If you fail two subjects, you fail Matric. You can apply to do a Matric Rewrite. Matric Rewrites are also known as supplementary exams. They are held every year in May/June. You can register for these exams in February/March.
You can also choose to study courses that do not require Matric, such as ICB Courses or Short Courses. You can study these courses at reputable distance learning colleges such as:
- Matric College
- Skills Academy
- Bellview Institute of Distance Learning
Can You Fail Maths And Still Pass Matric?
Yes, you can still pass Matric even if you failed Maths. As long as you have passed all other subjects, you can fail one subject except for your Home Language. You cannot pass Matric if you do not pass your Home Language.
What Is A Distinction In Matric?
A distinction in Matric is 80% and above. However, note that this does not apply after Matric at universities. A distinction at university is 75% and above.
What Is A Bachelor’s Degree Pass In Matric?
A Bachelor’s Degree Pass is the highest of the four passing levels in Matric. The four passing levels are as follows:
- Bachelor’s Degree Pass
- Diploma Pass
- Higher Certificate Pass
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) Pass/Matric Pass
Each passing level has different requirements, and has a different APS minimum. The requirements for each are as follows:
| Pass Level | APS Requirement | Subject Requirements |
| Bachelor’s Degree Pass | 23 |
|
| Diploma Pass | 19 |
|
| Higher Certificate Pass | 15 |
|
| National Senior Certificate (NSC) Pass/Matric Pass | 14 |
|
However, note that these are only the minimum requirements. While these are the minimum entry requirements for the university qualification of the same name (e.g. Bachelor’s Degree Pass for a Bachelor’s Degree) it does not guarantee your admission into any university courses.
Many universities will have additional or specific subject requirements for some of their courses. Check with the university you are applying to about any other requirements. Also be aware that once a course is full, a university will not be able to accept you even if you qualify.
Also note that a Matric Pass Level is the minimum requirement to pass Matric, but this passing level will not qualify you to apply to study any university courses. If you want to study at a university, you will have to do a bridging course or do a Matric Rewrite or Matric Upgrade.
However, you can apply to study courses such as National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) Courses. These only require that you have passed Matric, no matter the pass level. You can study these courses at reputable distance learning colleges such as:
- Matric College
- Bellview Institute of Distance Learning
- Skills Academy
Where Do I Collect My Matric Certificate?
Once your results have been released, it will take four to six weeks for your certificate to be ready for collection. The Matric Certificates are sent to your school, where you can fetch them. Contact your school to find out what days have been allocated to handing out Matric Certificates.
Can I Buy My Matric Certificate?
No, you cannot buy your Matric Certificate. All Matric Certificates are awarded by Umalusi through the Department of Basic Education. Umalusi has stated that participation in the buying and selling of any Matric Certificates is illegal.
What Have We Learned?
- Once your Matric results have been released, you can access them online
- You can register to get your Matric results via SMS
- You can dial a USSD code to get your Matric results
- You can get your Matric results at your school or exam centre
- You can see your Matric results in newspapers that publish them every year
- You must pass six of your seven subjects to pass Matric
- You can improve your results if you failed Matric
- There are other study options available without Matric
- You can fail Maths and still pass Matric
- A distinction in Matric is 80% and above
- You can collect your Matric Certificate from your high school
- You cannot buy a Matric Certificate
Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: September 14 , 2022