What are the matric pass requirements in South Africa?

You must sit at least seven subjects and may fail only one. For a Higher Certificate pass you need 40% in your Home Language, 40% in two other subjects and 30% in three more. A Diploma pass needs 40% in three other subjects and 30% in two more. A Bachelor's pass needs 50% in four other subjects (excluding Life Orientation) and 30% in two more, with 40% in your Home Language throughout.

What is the difference between a Bachelor, Diploma and Higher Certificate pass?

A Bachelor's pass lets you apply for a degree, a Diploma pass lets you apply for a diploma, and a Higher Certificate pass lets you apply for a higher certificate. They differ in how many subjects you need at 50% versus 40%. A Bachelor's pass is the highest and requires four subjects at 50% or more.

How is the APS score calculated?

Add the achievement level (1 to 7) of your best six subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Level 7 is 80-100%, down to Level 1 for 0-29%. The maximum APS is 42. Most degrees want around 24 or more and diplomas around 19, but each university sets its own minimum.

Is Life Orientation counted in the APS?

No. Life Orientation is excluded from the APS and from most university admission calculations, even though it still counts towards passing the National Senior Certificate.

What can I do if I failed matric?

You may qualify for a supplementary exam, or you can rewrite matric through a second-chance programme or a private college. You can also improve individual subjects. Often only one or two marks separate a fail from a Higher Certificate or Diploma pass.

Matric Results Checker

Pick your 7 subjects and the mark band for each to see instantly whether you got a Bachelor’s, Diploma or Higher Certificate pass, which requirement you met or missed, your APS score, and what you can study next.

Reviewed: July 2026

Guide only. This tool uses the standard National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rules and a general APS. Life Orientation is excluded from APS and from most university admission counts. Each university and course sets its own requirements – always confirm with the institution. Your official result comes from the Department of Basic Education.

Your 7 subjects and mark bands

Home Languageyour main language subject

Life Orientationnot counted in APS

Your result

Choose your marks

Pick a mark band for Home Language, Life Orientation and five subjects to see your pass level.

The NSC pass levels

Bachelor’s Degree pass: 40% in your Home Language, 50% in four other subjects (not Life Orientation), and 30% in two more. Lets you apply for a degree.
Diploma pass: 40% in your Home Language, 40% in three other subjects, and 30% in two more. Lets you apply for a diploma.
Higher Certificate pass: 40% in your Home Language, 40% in two other subjects, and 30% in three more. Lets you apply for a higher certificate.
APS: add the level (1 to 7) of your best six subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Maximum is 42. Most degrees want 24+, diplomas 19+.
You must sit at least seven subjects and may fail only one to still get the NSC.

Sources: National Senior Certificate pass requirements (Department of Basic Education) and the standard Admission Point Score (APS) scale. This tool is a guide, not an official result or an admission decision. Reviewed July 2026.

Matric Results Checker

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