By now you should be ready to start writing your final matric exams, and should have established a study timetable that works for you or your study group.
The matric exam timetable begins on 15th October 2018 and ends on 28th November.
If you want to study further there are specific matric exemption requirements you must meet before studying at any South African university. If you have completed school and have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) endorsed by Umalusi, you’re eligible to apply to universities, but what else do you need?
Matriculants must have results for a minimum of seven subjects, two of which are languages. Compulsory subjects that each matriculant should have completed include one home language, one first additional language, mathematics or mathematical literacy, and life orientation.
What is an APS score?
It is an individual score which represents your matric results in the format that will be assessed according to the specific course requirement at different universities, it differs from each institution and with each course.
How to calculate your APS score:
- 7- (90-100 percent) = 8
- 7- (80-80 percent) = 7
- 6- (70-79 percent) = 6
- 5- (60-60 percent) = 5
- 4- (50-59 percent) = 4
- 3- (40-49 percent) = 3
- 2- (30-39 percent) = 2
- 1- (0-29 percent) = 0
Higher credit subjects are:
- Languages
- Accounting
- Agricultural studies
- Business studies
- Dramatic arts
- Economics
- Engineering graphics and design
- Geography
- History
- Information technology
- Mathematics
- Mathematical literacy
- Physical science
- Religion studies
- Visual arts
Lower credit subjects are:
- Agricultural management practices
- Agricultural technology
- Civil technology
- Computer application technology
- Dance studies
- Life orientation
- Mechanical technology
- Tourism
What you need to know about the NSC endorsement
Bachelors – will gain you provisional entrance into any university or degree.
Diploma – will gain you provisional entrance into any university of technology or diploma.
Certificate – will gain you provisional entrance into any college or certificate.
Bachelors pass requirements:
Home language (higher credit) 40 percent or more
First additional language (higher credit) percent or more
Life orientation (lower credit) 30 percent or more.
Other subjects
Three higher credit subject at 50 percent or more
One lower subject at 30 percent or more.
You must pass all your subjects!
Diploma pass requirements:
Home language (higher credit) 40 percent or more
First additional language (higher credit) 40 percent or more
Life orientation (lower credit) 30 percent or more.
Other subjects
Two higher credit subjects at 40 percent or more
Two lower credit subjects at 40 percent or more
You may fail one subject but it must have a year mark.
Certificate pass requirements:
Home language (higher credit) 40 percent or more
First additional language (higher credit) 30 percent or more
Life orientation (lower credit) 30 percent or more.
Other subjects:
Two lower credit subjects at 40 percent or more
Two lower credit subjects at 30 percent or more
You may fail one subject but it must have a year mark.
Best of luck
Here are a few figures from past years to hopefully boost your confidence before writing your final exams.
In 2017 the matric pass rate increased to 75.1 percent nationally. The number of students who qualified for Bachelor degrees was 153 610 (28.7 percent), for Diploma there were 161 333 (30.2 percent) learners, and for higher certificate 86 265( 16.1 percent). Also, the number of distinctions received where 161 081.
Good luck with your exams and may you also become one of the top achievers for 2018.
