Matric Results In South Africa
Matric Results are probably the most important part of your academic and work life. Therefore matriculants should be well aware of what results they need to achieve to further their studies or to help their job prospects.The Most Important aspect of the Matric results
Knowing what marks you need to obtain to either pass matric or to qualify for your desired tertiary qualification. This can only be done by researching tertiary institution admittance requirements and making sure that you reach that standard. Thus students are encouraged to go to as many Open Days as possible to receive all the information required to make smart decisions regarding their future. Another important aspect is that bursaries have extremely specific pass requirements that must be adhered to in order to be accepted.
National Senior Certificate Pass Requirements
The NSC pass requirements have changed tremendously with the introduction of CAPS. The basic concept revolves around a minimum pass requirement but also three other levels that determine your further study options. The three levels are
- Higher Certificate
- Diploma
- Bachelors Degree
This means that you must be aware of the course entry requirements for the course you wish to study. Achieving the appropriate level does not guarantee acceptance.
Subject Choices
A minimum of seven subjects are required to be considered for a national senior certificate.
Compulsory Subjects
- Home Language
- First Additional Language
- Life Orientation
Designated Subjects
The remaining four subjects can either be chosen from the High or Low Credit subject lists. Subjects on the high credit list are given more recognition by tertiary institutions.
High Credit Subjects
- Languages
- Accounting
- Agricultural Science
- Business Studies
- Consumer Studies
- Dramatic Arts
- Economics
- Engineering Graphics & Design
- Geography
- History
- Information Technology
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
- Music
- Physical Sciences
- Religion Studies
- Visual Arts
Low Credit Subjects
- Agricultural Management Practices
- Agricultural Technology
- Civil Technology
- Computer Applications Technology
- Dance Studies
- Design Studies
- Electrical Technology
- Hospitality Studies
- Mechanical Technology
- Tourism
Higher Certificate Pass Requirements
These are the minimum pass requirements.
- Must obtain at least 40% in your Home Language
- Must obtain at least 40% in two other subjects
- Must obtain at least 30% for three other subjects
- You may fail one subject but proof of your SBA items (Tests, assignments etc) must be available
Its also important to remember that one of your languages must either be English or Afrikaans to qualify for a Higher Certificate.
Diploma Pass Requirements
- Must obtain at least 40% for your Home Language
- Must obtain at least 40% for 3 other High Credit Subjects
- Must obtain at least 30% for 2 other subjects
- You may fail one subject but proof of your SBA items (Tests, assignments etc) must be available
Bachelors Degree Pass Requirements
- Must obtain at least 40% for your Home Language
- Must obtain at least 40% for 4 other High Credit Subjects
- Must obtain at least 30% for two other subjects
This requires that you obtain at least 30% for your first additional language.
2008 Matric Results
2008 matriculants were the first batch of students to write the OBE (Outcomes Based Education) matric exam. The overall matric pass rate for the year dropped nearly 3% from the previous year which led media to believe that the curriculum change had no effect.
One of the aims of OBE was to close the gap between well resourced and poor schools. The results did not reflect this though with better equipped schools still trumping the rest.
2009 Matric Results
A 2% drop from the 2008 results left the Minister of Education Naledi Pandor with a slight headache. The drop was worrying and allegations that teachers were told to ‘upgrade’ marginal marks to ensure passes added fuel to the fire. Mathematics and Physical Science marks were in question and Umalusi launched a full scale investigation regarding the marking scandal.
2010 Matric Results
Following the disappointing results of 2009 the 2010 class pulled out all the stops to achieve a 7% increase in the overall pass rate. This was viewed with scepticism by the press which left the education department scrambling to cover their backs.
Mark adjustments were done in a few subjects which damaged the credibility of the results further. An increase in University exemptions was also viewed with suspicion as the general consensus was that the overall standard of the certificate was weakening
2011 Matric Results
70.2% (2% increase) seemed a more credibly result for the Department but the press and general public remained unimpressed.
The main talking points were the continued mark adjustments, low pass requirements and the quality of education itself.
The question of whether matriculants are being adequately prepared for society was mostly left unanswered by the department and Umalusi.