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What Is A Good APS?

Deciding whether your APS is good is a subjective decision. It depends on many factors, such as what course you want to study and where you want to study. 

Generally, a good APS is considered to be 35 or higher. However, many Bachelor’s Degree courses do not require such a high APS. 

Note that each university has its own APS requirements, and will often have additional requirements to those of a Bachelor’s Degree pass. The Bachelor’s Degree pass is the highest of the four passing levels. 

You may also choose not to go to university if you are looking into a more practical career, such as Beauty Therapy or Boilermaking. 

What Are The Four Passing Levels?

The four passing levels have their own subject requirements and APS requirements. These are as follows: 

Passing Level

Subject Requirements

APS Requirement

Bachelor’s Degree pass

  • 40% or above for your Home Language subject
  • 50% or above for four subjects 
  • 30% or above for two other subjects

23

Diploma pass

  • 40% or above for your Home Language subject
  • 40% or above for four other subjects
  • 30% or above for two other subjects

19

Higher Certificate pass

  • 40% or above for your Home Language subject
  • 40% or above for two other subjects 
  • 30% or above for four other subjects

15

National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass/Matric pass

  • 40% or above for your Home Language subject
  • 40% or above for two other subjects 
  • 30% or above for three other subjects
  • You can fail one subject

14

However, note that these are only the minimum requirements, and achieving these marks does not guarantee your admission into any university courses.

How Do I Calculate My APS?

You can calculate your APS yourself by finding the number of points each of your subjects has and adding them up. Each percentage bracket is allocated a certain number of points. The point allocation is as follows:

Percentage Bracket

Point Allocation

80% – 100%

7

70% – 79%

6

60% – 69%

5

50% – 59%

4

40% – 49%

3

30% – 39%

2

0% – 29%

1

You can also use an online calculator. However, remember to add your Life Orientation mark in the single point bracket, no matter what your actual marks were. This is because Life Orientation does not count toward your APS. 

Which Subjects Count For APS?

The subjects that count for your APS are as follows: 

Accounting 

Agricultural Management Practices

Agricultural Sciences 

Agricultural Technology

Business Studies 

Civil Technology

Computer Applications Technology

Consumer Studies 

Dance Studies

Dramatic Arts 

Economics 

Electrical Technology

Engineering Graphics and Design 

Geography 

History 

Hospitality Studies

Information Technology 

Life Sciences 

Mathematics 

Mathematical Literacy

Mechanical Technology

Music 

Physical Sciences 

Religion studies 

Tourism

Visual Arts

Your Home Language subject and your First Additional Language subject will also count for your APS. 

What Is The Highest APS?

The highest APS you can achieve is 42. This is because the highest number of points you can achieve for a subject is 7, and your APS is calculated using six subjects. This includes all of your compulsory and elective subjects, but excludes Life Orientation. 

What Is The Minimum APS?

The minimum APS required to pass Matric is 14. This is the minimum APS for a Matric pass, which is the minimum requirement to pass Matric. If you do not meet the requirements for a Matric pass, you will not pass Matric. 

What Can I Do If My APS Is Too Low?

There are many options available if your APS does not meet the requirements for the course you want to study, such as:

  • Start at a lower course level and work your way up
  • Rewrite your Matric 
  • Upgrade your Matric

Start At A Lower Course Level And Work Your Way Up

You can begin by studying at a lower course level and moving up to the qualification you would like to study. You can study a bridging course or foundation course, and use that to apply for the qualification you initially wanted to study. 

Alternatively, if you wanted to study for a Diploma, but you achieved a Higher Certificate pass, you could begin by studying for a Higher Certificate in your chosen field. You can then use your Higher Certificate to apply to study for a Diploma. 

If you missed the minimum requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree course by one or two points, some universities will allow you to begin study for a Diploma and transfer into a Bachelor’s Degree programme later on, depending on how well you do. 

Matric Rewrite

If you are still under the age of 21, you could rewrite your Matric to improve your marks. The conditions of a Matric Rewrite are as follows: 

  • You may rewrite your Matric up to five years after your Matric year, as long as you are still under the age of 21
  • You may rewrite a maximum of four subjects 
  • You may not change any of your subjects, you must rewrite subjects you wrote for your Matric final exams

However, note that if you did not pass Matric and will not improve to a pass by raising the marks in four subjects or fewer, you will not be allowed to rewrite. You will have to re-enrol for your Matric year or wait until you are 21 to do your Adult Matric instead. 

Matric Upgrade

If you are over the age of 21, you can upgrade your Matric to meet the entry requirements for the course you want to study. The conditions for a Matric Upgrade are as follows: 

  • You may apply for a Matric Upgrade as early as 19, but you must be over the age of 21 to write the exams
  • You may upgrade a maximum of four subjects
  • You may choose to change any four subjects if you would prefer to

Where Can I Study Matric Programmes?

There are many reputable distance learning colleges that offer courses for you to study your Matric online. Some of these colleges are: 

These three colleges also offer an Adult Matric Course. This is for those over the age of 21 who have not completed their high school education. This gives these students a chance to write their Matric. 

Once you have successfully completed your Adult Matric, you will receive your Senior Certificate (Amended). This certificate then functions the same way as a school Matric, or National Senior Certificate. You can use it to apply for work or to apply to further your studies. 

What Have We Learned?

  • A good APS is subjective
  • There are four passing levels 
  • Each passing level has its own APS requirements and subject requirements
  • You can calculate your APS yourself or using an online calculator
  • Life Orientation does not count for your APS
  • The highest APS you can achieve is 42
  • The minimum APS requirement to pass Matric is 14
  • There are options available if your APS does not meet the requirements

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: July 13, 2022

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