What Is The Lowest Pass In Matric

What Is The Lowest Pass In Matric

There are a lot of people who believe that you only need 30% to pass Matric. While this is partly true, it does not tell the whole story. Yes, you can pass a subject with a mark of 30%, but that does not mean you have passed Matric overall. To earn the National Senior Certificate (NSC), you must meet specific requirements across all your subjects, not just pass a few with the minimum marks.

A student can pass some subjects and still be considered as having failed Matric if the overall criteria are not met. This means you cannot rely on 30% alone, especially in key subjects like your Home Language. You also need to pass a certain number of subjects with higher marks to qualify for a Bachelor’s, Diploma, or Higher Certificate pass. These levels determine what kind of courses you can apply for after school.

However, getting 30% in some subjects might help you pass them individually, but it is not enough to guarantee that you will pass Matric as a whole. The Department of Basic Education has clear guidelines for what counts as a full Matric pass, and failing to meet those standards means you will not receive your certificate. In this article, we will break down what the lowest pass in Matric means and what you need to know to move forward after receiving your results.

What Counts as a Pass in Matric?

In South Africa, Matric results are assessed using subject symbols and the APS (Admission Point Score) system. Each subject mark falls within a specific percentage range, which is matched to a symbol from A+ to F. These symbols are then converted into APS points used for calculating overall performance.

To pass a subject in Matric, you need to score at least 30%, which is symbolised by an E. This result gives you 2 APS points and is referred to as an Elementary Achievement. Although it is a pass, it may not be enough for university entrance or specific further education programmes.

A mark below 30% is given the symbol F, which equals 1 APS point and is considered a fail (Not Achieved). Failing key subjects like your Home Language or Mathematics can stop you from earning your National Senior Certificate (NSC). To pass Matric overall, you must meet specific requirements in multiple subjects, not just one.

What Is the Lowest Pass in Matric?

In South Africa, the lowest pass in Matric means the minimum mark you need to be considered as having passed a subject or the overall Matric qualification. For a single subject, the lowest pass mark is 30%. This is shown with the symbol E, and it gives you 2 APS (Admission Point Score) points. While this counts as a pass, it may not be enough for university or college applications.

If you get less than 30%, your result will be marked as an F or G, depending on the system used. This is seen as Not Achieved and only earns 1 APS point, which is not a pass. To pass Matric overall (also called the National Senior Certificate), you need to meet these general requirements:

• Get at least 40% in your Home Language
• Score 40% or more in two other subjects
• Get at least 30% in three additional subjects
• You are allowed to fail one subject, as long as it is not your Home Language

Types of Matric Pass Levels

In Matric, there are three main types of pass levels, and each one opens different doors for further study:

• Bachelor’s Pass:

This is the highest pass level. To get it, you need at least 4 subjects with 50% or more (which gives you an APS of 4 or higher) and a total APS of 23 or more. This pass qualifies you to apply for degree programmes at universities.

• Diploma Pass:

For this level, you must have 3 subjects with 50% or more and a total APS of 19 or more. With a diploma pass, you can apply for diploma courses at colleges or universities of technology.

• Higher Certificate Pass:

This is the basic entry-level pass. You need at least 40% in 4 subjects (APS of 3) and a total APS of 15 or more. It allows you to apply for higher certificate programmes at TVET colleges and some private institutions.

What Are the Levels of Passing Matric?

There are four levels of passing Matric in South Africa. Each level comes with its own set of requirements and determines which tertiary courses you can apply for. All levels are considered a pass, but they do not offer the same opportunities. Below is a breakdown of the pass levels, from highest to lowest, along with the requirements for each:

Bachelor’s Degree Pass

• Minimum 40% in your Home Language
• At least 50% in four other subjects
• Minimum 30% in two remaining subjects
• Qualifies you for degree programmes at universities

Diploma Pass

• Minimum 40% in your Home Language
• At least 40% in four other subjects
• Minimum 30% in two remaining subjects
• Qualifies you for diploma programmes at universities and colleges

Higher Certificate Pass

• Minimum 40% in your Home Language
• At least 40% in two other subjects
• Minimum 30% in four remaining subjects
• Qualifies you for higher certificate courses at colleges

National Senior Certificate (NSC) Pass

• Minimum 40% in your Home Language
• At least 30% in two other subjects
• Minimum 30% in three additional subjects
• You may fail one subject and still pass overall
• Suitable for some college courses or entry-level training

Additional Notes for the Senior Certificate (Adult Matric)

• Pass at least two subjects with 30% (one must be a Home Language or First Additional Language)
• Pass three subjects with 40% (including one language)
• Get at least 20% in the sixth subject

Symbols for Matric

Matric symbols are the grades you receive for each subject in your final results. These symbols are usually represented by letters, with A being the highest. However, you might come across different variations of the grading system. In some cases, the lowest symbol may appear as “G”, while in others it could be “FF.”

The most important thing to focus on is how these symbols connect to your percentage scores and APS (Admission Point Score). Universities and colleges use your APS and subject percentages to determine if you meet the entry requirements for their courses. Provided below is how the symbols generally work:

• A is awarded for scores between 80% and 100%, and it reflects Outstanding Achievement. This gives you an APS of 7.
• B represents 70% to 79% and is known as Meritorious Achievement with an APS of 6.
• C ranges from 60% to 69%, referred to as Substantial Achievement, and carries 5 APS points.
• D is given for 50% to 59%, marked as Adequate Achievement, with 4 APS points.
• E means you scored 40% to 49%, which is Moderate Achievement, and earns 3 APS points.
• F is for scores between 30% and 39%, known as Elementary Achievement, and gives 2 APS points.
• G or FF is assigned to marks below 30%, which is considered Not Achieved, and gives only 1 APS point.

What Can I Do With Matric Results?

Your Matric results are a key milestone and can open up a variety of opportunities, depending on how well you did. Even if your marks are not perfect, there are still plenty of ways to move forward with your education or career.

• Apply for Learnerships or Apprenticeships

These programmes allow you to gain practical skills while working and earning a stipend. Learnerships and apprenticeships are available in many industries, including trades, business, IT, and manufacturing, and only require a Matric certificate to get started.

• Upgrade Your Matric Results

If your results did not meet the requirements for university or college, you can upgrade one or more subjects. This is a great way to improve your marks and increase your chances of being accepted into a course you want to study.

• Look for Entry-Level Jobs

Some jobs do not require a degree or diploma. A Matric certificate is often enough for entry-level positions, especially in retail, customer service, or administration. This allows you to start gaining experience right away.

• Apply to a TVET College

TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges offer practical courses that prepare you for a career. You can study areas like engineering, hospitality, business, and more, even with a basic Matric pass.

• Further Your Studies at a University or College

If you achieved a Bachelor’s, Diploma, or Higher Certificate pass, you can apply for further studies. Your APS score and subject results will help determine which programmes you qualify for.

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