How Many Subjects Do You Need To Pass Grade 12?

How Many Subjects Do You Need To Pass Grade 12?

Grade 12 Subject Requirements: How Many Do You Need to Pass?

Passing Grade 12 is a major academic milestone for learners in South Africa, especially for those planning to continue their studies at university or college, or enter the workforce. One important factor students should understand is how many subjects they need to pass to complete Grade 12 and earn their National Senior Certificate (NSC), commonly known as Matric.

In Grade 12, students are required to study seven subjects. These include compulsory subjects like Home Language, First Additional Language, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation, plus three elective subjects. To pass Matric, you must perform well in at least six of these subjects. It is possible to fail one subject and still pass your Matric, but passing all seven is ideal for better future opportunities.

Your performance in these subjects also contributes to your Matric points or Admission Point Score (APS), which universities use to determine if you qualify for their programs. The APS is calculated based on your marks in your best six subjects, making your overall subject choices and results important. Knowing how many subjects you need to pass and how your results affect your future will help you focus your efforts during this critical year.

What are Matric points or APS?

Matric points, or APS (Admission Point Score), are a way South African universities check your Grade 12 results to see if you qualify for their courses. After your final exams, your marks in each subject get turned into points, usually from 1 to 7. The better your marks, the more points you earn.

Your APS is the total of the points from your best six subjects. Universities use this total to decide if you meet their entry requirements. Different courses need different APS scores, so having a higher score gives you more chances to get accepted. APS helps match your school results to the courses you want to study. If your APS is too low, you can try to improve your marks or look at other programs that fit your score.

READ ALSO: How Are Grade 12 Marks Calculated

How Many Subjects Must Be Passed to Earn a Matric Certificate?

To get your National Senior Certificate (NSC), you need to take seven subjects in your Matric year. Of these, you must pass at least six to qualify for the certificate. The subjects are split into compulsory and elective categories. This structure ensures that learners build a strong foundation while also having the chance to explore subjects that match their interests or career goals. Below is a simple breakdown of the subject requirements:

Four compulsory subjects:

Home Language
First Additional Language
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
Life Orientation
Three elective subjects from a list offered by your school

Passing the required number of subjects with the right percentages is key to earning your Matric certificate.

How Does the National Senior Certificate (NSC)/ Matric Work?

The National Senior Certificate (NSC) is the qualification students in South Africa receive after completing Grade 12, also called Matric. It shows that a learner has successfully finished their final year of high school. To earn the NSC, students must complete a set curriculum over three years, starting in Grade 10, continuing through Grade 11, and finishing in Grade 12. Along the way, they are assessed through classwork, projects, tests, and final exams.

These marks are combined to determine their final results. To pass, learners must take seven subjects and meet the minimum requirements in six of them. The NSC opens doors to further study at universities, colleges, or other training institutions, depending on the level of achievement. It also helps when applying for jobs that require a Matric certificate.

Grade 12 Subject To Pass

You need to study seven subjects to pass the Matric. Three of these subjects are optional, while the other four are required. The following subjects must be among your required coursework:

Home Language subject
Life Orientation
First Additional Language subject
Mathematical subject

Matric compulsory subjects:

Sesotho Home Language
Siswati Home Language
Setswana Home Language
isiZulu Home Language
isiXhosa Home Language
isiNdebele Home Language
Sepedi Home Language
Xitsonga Home Language
Tshivenda Home Language
English Home Language
English First Additional Language
Afrikaans Huistaal
Afrikaans Eerste Additionele Taal
Mathematics
Mathematical Literacy
Life Orientation

Additionally, you ought to pick elective courses. If you pick three (3), you can choose whatever subjects you want to study.

Economics
Physical Sciences
Business Studies
Accounting
History
Geography
Religious Studies
Life Sciences
Agricultural Sciences

READ ON: Can I Go To University With NCV?

The Requirements To Pass Matric

There are 4 pass levels you can obtain to pass Matric. You must gain the following marks to pass:

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

How Are Matric Points Calculated?

Matric points, also known as APS (Admission Point Score), are calculated using your final Grade 12 results. Each subject you write counts toward your overall score, and the percentage you earn in each subject is converted into points. The higher your marks, the more points you receive.

Universities use your total APS to decide if you qualify for a specific course. In general, the better your marks, the higher your chances of being accepted. For example, an APS of 35 or more can improve your chances of getting into a university program. Below is how the point system works, broken into bullet points:

80% – 100% = 7 points (Outstanding Achievement)
70% – 79% = 6 points (Meritorious Achievement)
60% – 69% = 5 points (Substantial Achievement)
50% – 59% = 4 points (Adequate Achievement)
40% – 49% = 3 points (Moderate Achievement)
30% – 39% = 2 points (Elementary Achievement)
0% – 29% = 1 point or sometimes no points (Not Achieved)

It’s important to plan your subject selection carefully and understand the implications of this choice on your future education and career opportunities. If this information has been of help, kindly leave a remark below. For more details, visit this website.

RELATED LINKS