What Matric Symbols Mean – What Can I Study

Finding out what your Matric results mean can be difficult when there are so many terms out there. Some names used for Matric results are percentages, symbols, codes, or merits.

It is important to understand what these terms mean so that you can understand what results are required for the things you want to do after Matric. The Matric symbols work as follows:

Symbol	Percentage bracket	Code/APS	Merit level
A	80% – 100%	7	Outstanding
B	70% – 79%	6	Meritorious
C	60% – 69%	5	Substantial
D	50% – 59%	4	Moderate
E	40% – 49%	3	Adequate
F	30% – 39%	2	Elementary
FF	0% – 29%	1	Not achieved

What Are The Pass Levels You Can Get In Matric?

There are four passing levels you can achieve in Matric, and they are:

Bachelor’s pass/passed with exemption
Diploma pass
Higher Certificate pass
(NSC) National Senior Certificate pass/Matric pass

Each passing level has its own requirements, and each is a different level of difficulty to achieve. The Bachelor’s Degree pass is the highest passing level and requires hard work and dedication to achieve it. The requirements for each passing level is as follows:

Pass Level	Requirements
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
Diploma pass	40% or above for your Home Language subject 40% or above for four other subjects 30% or above for two other subjects
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
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

How Are Matric Final Marks Calculated?

School Matric final marks are calculated using two factors:

Marks from your year’s work, including assignments, projects, and tests
Your Matric final exam marks

Your year’s work will count for 25% of your final marks. Your final exams will count for the remaining 75% of your final marks.

For Adult Matric, your final marks are calculated using only your final exams.

What Is A Distinction In Matric?

A distinction in Matric is 80% and above. However, note that this is only for school level education. Once you reach tertiary education level, a distinction is 75% and above.

How Are Matric Points Calculated?

Your APS is calculated using your Matric final marks. Each percentage bracket is allocated a number of points. By finding which brackets your subjects fall under, you can find out what your score is for each subject. You can then add these up to get your APS.

Note that Life Orientation does not count for your APS. You can calculate your APS online, but remember to add Life Orientation in the single point bracket, no matter what your mark actually was.

What Marks Do You Need To Pass Matric?

To pass Matric, you must meet the requirements for a Matric pass. These are the minimum requirements for passing Matric. If you do not meet the requirements for a Matric pass, you will not pass Matric.

How Many Points Are Needed To Get A Bachelor’s Degree Pass?

The minimum APS requirement for a Bachelor’s Degree pass is 23. Each passing level has its own APS requirements, which are as follows:

Bachelor’s Degree pass – 23
Diploma pass – 19
Higher Certificate pass – 15
NSC pass/Matric pass – 14

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

What Do The Pass Levels Mean?

Each passing level determines at what level you can apply to further your education at tertiary education institutions. Achieving a Diploma pass means that you can apply to universities to study for a Diploma. It also means you are unlikely to be able to study for a Bachelor’s Degree.

However, many universities will have their own requirements for Bachelor’s Degrees, and certain courses will also have higher requirements or specific subject requirements. Check with the university you are applying to about any additional requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree course.

A Higher Certificate pass means you can apply at any universities to study for a Higher Certificate.

An NSC pass/Matric pass means that you have passed Matric, but are not eligible to apply to study at a university. However, there are other options for what you can study with your Matric, such as:

NATED courses

NATED Courses

NATED stands for National Accredited Technical Education Diploma. These courses are accredited by SAQA (the South African Qualifications Authority) and QCTO (the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations).

This means that these qualifications are recognised by education institutions and potential employers as formal qualifications.

Each course has three levels of theory studies. Each of these theory levels takes a minimum of six months to complete. This is then followed by 18 months of work experience, which counts as the practical side of the qualification.

This means you can complete a full NATED qualification in three years. For your 18 months of work experience, you will be placed with a company or business relevant to your stream of study. You will be placed using iWIL, which is a free placement service.

There are seven streams of study in NATED courses:

Business Management
Educare
Financial Management
Human Resource Management
Legal Secretary
Management Assistant
Marketing Management

Business Management

National N4 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66871
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Matric: National Senior Certificate or an Amended Senior Certificate
Subjects	Management Communication N4 Introductory Accounting N4 Entrepreneurship and Business Management N4 Computer Practice N4
Career Options	Assistant Manager Sales Assistant Office Assistant

National N5 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66929
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Business Management National N4 Certificate
Subjects	Entrepreneurship and Business Management N5 Sales Management N5 Public Relations N5 Computer Practice N5
Career Options	Sales Person Public Relations Assistant Management Assistant

National N6 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66995
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Business Management National N5 Certificate
Subjects	Entrepreneurship and Business Management N6 Sales Management N6 Cost and Management Accounting N5 Public Relations N6
Career Options	Team Leader Workshop Manager Marketing Coordinator

National N6 Diploma
Qualification	Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	67036
Credits	360
Entry Requirements	Business Management National N6 Certificate
Subjects	This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience
Career Options	Business Manager Supply Chain Manager Sales Consultant

Educare

National N4 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66883
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Matric: National Senior Certificate or an Amended Senior Certificate
Subjects	Educare Didactics N4 Child Health N4 Education N4 Day Care Personnel Development N4
Career Options	Educare Practitioner Playgroup Practitioner Au Pair

National N5 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66971
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Educare National N4 Certificate
Subjects	Educare Didactics N5 Entrepreneurship and Business Management N4 Educational Psychology N5 Daycare Communication N5
Career Options	Child Health and Nutrition Caretaker Day Care Administrator Day Care Manager

National N6 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	67007
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Educare National N5 Certificate
Subjects	Educare Didactics N6 Daycare Management N6 Educational Psychology N6 Daycare Communication N6
Career Options	Day Care Manager Early Childhood Development Teacher Educare Teacher

National N6 Diploma
Qualification	Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	67050
Credits	360
Entry Requirements	Educare National N6 Certificate
Subjects	This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience
Career Options	Educare Facilitator Nursery School Assistant Teacher Nursery Teacher

Financial Management

National N4 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66874
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Matric: National Senior Certificate or an Amended Senior Certificate
Subjects	Financial Accounting N4 Computerised Financial Systems N4 Entrepreneurship and Business Management N4 Management Communication N4
Career Options	Accounts Clerk Audit Assistant Bookkeeper

National N5 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66954
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Financial Management National N4 Certificate
Subjects	Financial Accounting N5 Computerised Financial Systems N5 Entrepreneurship and Business Management N5 Cost & Management Accounting N5
Career Options	Administrative Clerk Loan Consultant Sales Team Leader

National N6 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66998
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Financial Management National N5 Certificate
Subjects	Financial Accounting N6 Computerised Financial Systems N6 Entrepreneurship and Business Management N6 Cost & Management Accounting N6
Career Options	Financial Manager Finance Controller Audit Clerk

National N6 Diploma
Qualification	Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	67040
Credits	360
Entry Requirements	Financial Management National N6 Certificate
Subjects	This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience
Career Options	Assets Management Supervisor Bank Teller Finance Administrator

Human Resource Management

National N4 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66873
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Matric: National Senior Certificate or an Amended Senior Certificate
Subjects	Entrepreneurship and Business Management N4 Personnel Management N4 Management Communication N4 Computer Practice N4
Career Options	Administrative Clerk Human Resource Management Assistant Skills Development Facilitator

National N5 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66953
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Human Resource Management National N4 Certificate
Subjects	Personnel Management N5 Personnel Training N5 Labour Relations N5 Computer Practice N5
Career Options	Billing Coordinator Clients Relations Coordinator Risk Administrator

National N6 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66997
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Human Resource Management National N5 Certificate
Subjects	Personnel Management N6 Personnel Training N6 Labour Relations N6 Computer Practice N6
Career Options	Human Resource Manager Recruitment Manager Benefits Manager

National N6 Diploma
Qualification	Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	67039
Credits	360
Entry Requirements	Human Resource Management National N6 Certificate
Subjects	This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience
Career Options	Human Resources Consultant Labour Relations Consultant Employee Relations Consultant

Legal Secretary

National N4 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66883
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Matric: National Senior Certificate or an Amended Senior Certificate
Subjects	Office Practice N4 Communication N4 Information Processing N4 Mercantile Law N4
Career Options	Filing Clerk Junior Conveyancing Secretary Receptionist

National N5 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66959
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Legal Secretary National N4 Certificate
Subjects	Office Practice N5 Communication N5 Information Processing N5 Legal Practice N5
Career Options	Administrative Assistant Junior Conveyancing Assistant Personal Assistant

National N6 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66880
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Legal Secretary National N5 Certificate
Subjects	Office Practice N6 Legal Practice N6 Information Processing N6 Mercantile Law N5
Career Options	Conveyancing Assistant Legal Clerk Office Assistant

National N6 Diploma
Qualification	Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	67035
Credits	360
Entry Requirements	Legal Secretary National N6 Certificate
Subjects	This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience
Career Options	Junior Legal Secretary Junior Litigation Secretary Legal: Committee Secretary

Management Assistant

National N4 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66876
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Matric: National Senior Certificate or an Amended Senior Certificate
Subjects	Communication N4 Office Practice N4 Information Processing N4 Computer Practice N4
Career Options	Administrative Clerk Office Manager Receptionist

National N5 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66956
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Management Assistant National N4 Certificate
Subjects	Communication N5 Office Practice N5 Information Processing N5 Computer Practice N5
Career Options	Personal Assistant Private Secretary Typist

National N6 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	67001
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Management Assistant National N5 Certificate
Subjects	Office Practice N6 Information Processing N6 Public Relations N5 Computer Practice N6
Career Options	Clerk Management Assistant Office Administrator

National N6 Diploma
Qualification	Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	67033
Credits	360
Entry Requirements	Management Assistant National N6 Certificate
Subjects	This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience
Career Options	Assistant Manager Data Capturer Executive Assistant

Marketing Management

National N4 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66872
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Matric: National Senior Certificate or an Amended Senior Certificate
Subjects	Entrepreneurship and Business Management N4 Marketing Management N4 Management Communication N4 Computer Practice N4
Career Options	Junior Marketing Writer Marketing Sales Administrator Sales Assistant

National N5 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66952
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Marketing Management National N4 Certificate
Subjects	Entrepreneurship and Business Management N5 Marketing Management N5 Sales Management N5 Computer Practice N5
Career Options	Content Writer Marketing Assistant Sales Manager

National N6 Certificate
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	66996
Credits	60
Entry Requirements	Marketing Management National N5 Certificate
Subjects	Marketing Management N6 Sales Management N6 Marketing Communication N6 Marketing Research N6
Career Options	Advertiser Marketing Manager Marketing Researcher

National N6 Diploma
Qualification	Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number	67037
Credits	360
Entry Requirements	Marketing Management National N5 Certificate
Subjects	This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience
Career Options	Brand Manager Product Manager Public Relations Consultant

What If I Did Not Pass Matric?

There are still options available for you to further your studies even if you do not have your Matric, such as:

ICB courses
Short courses

ICB Courses

There are three ICB courses you can choose to study without Matric:

Business Management
Financial Accounting
Office Administration

The entry requirement for the ICB Business Management Programme is that you have Grade 11 to apply. There are three levels in this course, going up to the Diploma level.

The entry requirement for the ICB Financial Accounting programme is that you have Grade 10 to be able to apply. There are four levels in this course, going up to the Diploma level.

The entry requirement for the ICB course Office Administration programme is that you have Matric or a Matric Equivalent to apply.

This means you can study the first level of the ICB Business Management course, or the first two levels of the ICB Financial Accounting course, and use that to apply for this course.

Where Can I Study ICB Courses?

There are many places where you can study ICB courses. Some reputable distance learning colleges that offer these ICB courses are:

Short Courses

There are also many short courses offered at four of the above colleges.

Short Courses At Matric College

Short Courses At Skills Academy

Short Courses At Ember Academy

Short Courses At Learning Group

What Have We Learned?

There are four passing levels for Matric
Each passing level has its own requirements
School Matric final marks are calculated using your year’s work and your final exam marks
Each passing level has its own APS requirements
Each passing level determines the level at which you can apply to further your studies after Matric
A distinction in Matric is 80% or above

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: July 4, 2022