Who Qualifies For Supplementary Matric Exams?

After gaining better Matric results from a supplementary exam, you can use your results to apply to Matric College for our NATED, ICB or Short courses.

People who meet the following requirements qualify for the supplementary exams: 

  • You failed to meet the requirements for the National Senior Certificate pass level 
  • You are rewriting only the subjects you failed
  • You want to improve the subjects you passed with low marks 
  • Failed to write due to circumstances such as a death in the family or an illness 
  • Have proof that you qualify to study at university but need to improve a subject to gain admission 
  • You are younger than 21

Which Course Can I Study To Prepare For My Supplementary Exams?

Through our Matric Rewrite course, we offer students a second chance to redo their exams. Whether you need better marks for university, distance learning courses or career opportunities, this course can help you reach your goals. Here is some information on the course:

Certificate Type:National Senior Certificate (NSC)
Awarded By:Umalusi
Award Type:National Senior Certificate (NSC) and a Programme Completion Certificate
NQF Level:Level 4
SAQA ID:49647
Credits:130
Entry Requirements:
  • An incomplete Matric result or
  • Your final Matric results

What Is The Purpose Of Supplementary Exams?

The purpose of the Matric Supplementary exams is to do the following: 

  • Students receive a second chance to write their final exam if they missed the previous exam
  • Give students a chance to improve their marks, although they passed 
  • Students gain an opportunity to gain better marks if they had failed the last exam 

Created by the Department of Basic Education to help students who want to receive better marks. The Matric Supplementary exams allow students to get another chance to rewrite in hopes that they earn better marks.

The rewrite has worked for many students. They have received better marks that help them with university, bursary and learnerships admission. 

Where Can I Apply For Supplementary Exams?

You can apply for supplementary exams through the Department of Basic Education. This can be done through the website of provincial offices. You can also apply through the Department of Provincial Education offices or the high school where you attended. 

After applying, you can register with a local examination centre registered with the DBE to host supplementary exams. For example, your previous high school, or any registered venue that will allow you to rewrite your matric exams.

What Is Needed To Register For Supplementary?

To register for the supplementary exam, you will need the following: 

  • Your Matric statement of results 
  • Certified copy of ID 
  • A statement showing reasons why you could not make it to the last exam (in cases where you missed the exam) 

Can I Rewrite My Matric At The Department Of Education?

Yes, you can rewrite your Matric at the Department of Basic Education. They are the ones responsible for this programme. This may be the best place to rewrite your Matric. 

Is The Supplementary Exam Difficult?

All supplementary exams are challenging just like any other exam. People believe that supplementary exams are harder, and this is how most people decrease their chances of passing because of the negative mindset. 

There are, however, students who have passed the supplementary exams. This is positive feedback. As a student preparing for your Matric rewrite exams, you should have a positive attitude towards the exam. You can pass if you work hard enough and believe it is possible. 

You can do a few things to ensure that you prepare best for the exams and pass, these are: 

  • Study every day for at least 3 hours 
  • Study while making notes to remember what you have studied 
  • Do more research on the internet when you find a topic that is a bit confusing 
  • Ask other students they think of certain topics 
  • Have friends who are willing to study with you 
  • Have group discussions on different topics for different subjects 
  • Motivate yourself to study more than the average student 
  • Use past papers to study 
  • Find yourself a personal tutor to assist you 

What Happens If You Fail A Matric Supplementary Exam?

If you fail a supplementary exam, you can do one of the following things: 

  • Study the Matric class again 
  • Register for the supplementary exam again and rewrite 

Which College Can I Upgrade My Matric Results To?

You can upgrade your Matric through Matric College. You can do this through the Matric Upgrade course. This course is designed to help students improve their Matric results. 

Here is the course information on our Matric Upgrade course:

  • Certificate Type: Senior Certificate (Amended)
  • Awarded By: Umalusi
  • Award Type: National Certificate and a Programme Completion Certificate
  • NQF Level: Level 4
  • SAQA ID: 49647
  • Credits: 130 Credits
  • Entry Requirements: An incomplete Matric result or your final Matric results

These are the requirements you must meet to study the course: 

  • Must have a Matric Certificate, or 
  • Your final Matric results
  • Passed or failed Matric 
  • An incomplete Matric 
  • Matric statement of results 

Can I Upgrade My Matric Results After 5 Years?

Yes, you can upgrade your Matric after five (5) years. You will have the chance to gain better marks. If you want to choose new subjects, you can choose a minimum of four (4) subjects. This can help you if you have always wanted to change your subjects. 

How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade Your Matric Results?

To find out the fees for the Upgrade Matric course, contact our Course Experts. They are well-educated in our courses from fees, registration and course information. They will explain what you need to know in detail. 

Can I Change My Matric Subjects After Matric?

Yes, you can change subjects after Matric. You can do this at a university or a college. This means you are not forced to study courses with subjects related to the subjects you did in high school. 

For example, if you studied Mathematics and Physical Sciences, it is not compulsory to do courses that have Maths and Science. You can choose to study a course such as Beauty Therapy. 

Where Can I Study If I Failed Matric?

If you failed your Matric, you can study with us. We offer courses that students can study without Matric. These courses include the following: 

  • ICB Courses 
  • Short Courses 
  • Adult Matric Course 

ICB Courses

Our ICB Courses at Matric College are designed by the ICB to offer and develop the knowledge and skills that are need in a good business environment. These courses are also accredited. This is good for students because they obtain a quality education that can make them valuable candidates when they look for work. These are the ICB Courses we offer: 

Short Courses

Our Short Courses are designed by us. We created these courses to help students who want to advance themselves by opening a business or finding work. They focus on skills which are a great element for business and employment. This increases your chances of gaining employment. Here are the Short Courses we offer at Matric College: 

Adult Matric Course

Our Adult Matric Course is designed to help anyone between the ages of 21 and older to gain a Matric if they do not have it. If you have been out of school for a long time, and you do not have Matric, you can apply. 

This course equips you with the knowledge you need to continue your studies at university.

Here is some information on the course:

  • Certificate Type: Senior Certificate
  • Awarded By: Umalusi
  • Award Type: Senior Certificate
  • NQF Level: Level 4
  • SAQA ID: 49647
  • Credits: 120 Credits
  • Entry Requirements: 
  • You passed Grade 9 and have proof of your report OR Grade 9 equivalent course (i.e. an ABET Certificate) 
  • You are 19 years old, but 21 or older when you write your exams
  • You can read, write and understand English or Afrikaans and can study via distance learning

Benefits Of Studying The Adult Matric Course 

  • You gain relevant knowledge that prepares you for university 
  • You gain a Matric Certificate issued by Umalusi 
  • You gain a chance to apply to university or college 
  • You gain a chance to apply for bursaries and learnerships 
  • You can find entry-level employment 

How Do I Apply For The Adult Matric Course?

To apply for the Adult Matric Course, you must do the following: 

Can You Do Your Matric Online?

Yes, you can do your Matric online. You can do this at Matric College. We are a distance-learning college that also uses online tools. These tools include the following: 

While you study through distance-learning, we provide the above tools to ensure that you have the best learning experience. We also send you the study material to your home. This is to help you study, pass and gain your Matric Certificate with good results. 

Can You Do Matric In 3 Months?

Yes, you can do Matric in three (3) months only in the case that you already did Matric and you have received your final results. This can either be that you passed or failed. You can immediately apply for a supplementary exam/Matric Rewrite, which is usually open from January until March. 

You can then write your exam in May/June. This is how you can complete Matric in three months. 

People Also Ask

No, while they are matric exams in every sense, the actual papers are different from your last exam. There are similarities between the papers, but they are changed enough to make it challenging. This allows students a second chance to earn their marks, especially if they are prepared for the exams.

Yes, our Adult Matric course allows students 21 or older to study and write their exams. This allows them to gain a chance to receive a matric certificate despite their age. 

This course is especially great for students who are working but need a matric certificate for better opportunities. It is a flexible course that allows students to study from home or anywhere at any time.

Yes, however, the certificate will indicate that the student has failed their matric certificate. So while you will get the document, it is important to understand the passing requirements for matric. This will allow you to understand what you will be able to do after receiving your passing mark.

We have courses that students can study without matric. So, if they need better marks or want to learn new skills for their future careers, these courses are for them:

It costs R164 to combine your matric certificates after upgrading your marks, and this includes getting a replacement certificate in case it is lost or damaged. A statement with your results will cost an additional R57. It takes 4–6 weeks to receive your certificate, but a statement you can receive immediately.

NOTE: These fees apply from the 01 April of 2023 till 31 March 2024

Author: Mulisa Nethononda 
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: June 14, 2022