What Is The Highest Matric Qualification In 2025
What Is The Highest Matric Qualification In 2025
The highest matric qualification refers to the top achievement in the South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam, awarded upon completing Grade 12. This is achieved by earning a Bachelor’s Pass (also known as Matric Exemption), which qualifies students to apply for a bachelor’s degree at a university.
Many people think that passing matric requires just 30% of students. It isn’t completely correct. However, it is possible to graduate from high school without receiving a grade of at least 50% in every subject. A student is considered to have failed if they are unable to complete the National Senior Certificate requirements.
They will then have to retake their subjects if they need a passing grade for matriculation. Bachelor’s degree completion is the highest level of Matric success. You can apply to several university bachelor’s degree programmes with this passing grade. However, The Bachelor’s Pass is considered the highest matric qualification.
Matric Qualification Pass Levels
In South Africa, matric qualifications are categorized into four different pass levels:
Bachelor’s Degree Pass:
- To achieve this, a student must score at least 40% in their Home Language, 50% or more in four other subjects, and at least 30% in two additional subjects.
Diploma Pass:
- This requires a minimum of 40% in the Home Language, 40% or more in four other subjects, and at least 30% in two additional subjects.
Higher Certificate Pass:
- To earn this pass, a student must achieve 40% in their Home Language, 40% or more in two other subjects, and at least 30% in three additional subjects.
National Senior Certificate (NSC) Pass/Matric Pass:
- For this pass, a student needs 40% in their Home Language, 40% or more in two other subjects, and at least 30% in the remaining subjects. A student is allowed to fail one subject and still pass at this level.
READ ALSO: Is Grade 12 the same as Matric?
How Are Matric Results Calculated?
For the Senior Certificate (Amended), the final results are entirely based on the exam, with 100% of the grade coming from the exam score. In contrast, for the National Senior Certificate (NSC), the final results are a combination of school-based assessments and exam marks.
School-based assessments, which include tests, projects, and assignments completed throughout the year, make up 25% of the final grade. The remaining 75% is determined by the final exam mark for each subject. A distinction in the Matric exam is awarded for a score between 80% and 100%.
What APS Stand For
Admission Points Score is referred to as APS. You receive a score for your Matric mark when it is marked. By entering your mark in the APS calculator’s 1–7 range, you can get your mark’s point or score. Your eligibility for admission to universities and other higher education institutions is determined by your APS Score.
APS Levels:
- Level 8: 90 – 100%
- Level 7: 80 – 89%
- Level 6: 70 – 79%
- Level 5: 60 – 69%
- Level 4: 50 – 59%
- Level 3: 40 – 49%
- Level 2: 30 – 39%
- Level 0: 0 – 29%
APS Requirements
APS Requirements for the Different NSC National Senior Certificate (basic matric pass):
- APS of 3 in home language
- APS of 3 in other two subjects
- APS of 2 in 4 other subjects
- APS total points: 14
What APS Scores Do I Need to Pass Matric?
Here are the minimum Admission Point Score (APS) requirements to pass Matric:
Bachelor’s Degree Pass
To qualify for a Bachelor’s Degree Pass, you need:
- An APS score of at least 4 in four high-credit subjects.
- An APS score of at least 3 in your home language.
- An APS score of 2 in any two other subjects.
Total APS Score: 23
Diploma Pass
For a Diploma Pass, the requirements are:
- An APS score of at least 3 in your home language.
- An APS score of at least 3 in four high-credit subjects.
- An APS score of 2 in any two other subjects.
Total APS Score: 19
Higher Certificate Pass
To earn a Higher Certificate Pass, you need:
- An APS score of at least 3 in your home language.
- An APS score of at least 3 in two other subjects.
- An APS score of 2 in any three other subjects.
Total APS Score: 15
Senior Certificate (Amended) Pass
For the Senior Certificate (Amended) Pass, you must have:
- An APS score of at least 3 in your home language.
- An APS score of at least 3 in two other subjects.
- An APS score of 2 in any four other subjects.
Total APS Score: 14
The APS score necessary to pass Matric differs based on the qualification level a student wishes to attain, such as a Bachelor’s Degree Pass, Diploma Pass, Higher Certificate Pass, or Senior Certificate (Amended) Pass. Each qualification comes with specific minimum subject scores, with the Bachelor’s Pass demanding the highest APS score and criteria.
Familiarizing oneself with these requirements is essential for students aspiring to achieve their educational and career objectives following Grade 12. I hope the provided information is helpful, share your thoughts below in the comment section.
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