NSC Matric pass requirements and all the pass types

What does it take to really pass Grade 12 in the South African National Senior Certificate programme? This question can be confusing to parents as the requirements have changed over time. This article simplifies the requirements and all the jargon on the different NSC pass types.

National Senior Certificate passing requirements 

A “Matric” will be achieved by a student who meets the following requirements in these final examinations:

  1. Pass three subjects at 40%, one of which must be an official language at Home Language level.

  2. Pass two subjects at 30%, one of which must be an official language at First Additional or Home Language level.

  3. Obtain a subminimum of 20% in the sixth subject.

National Senior Certificate pass types

  • Bachelors – Admission to Bachelors Degree: the learner can be admitted to a university degree programme.

  • Diploma – Admission to Diploma: the learner can be admitted to a higher learning institution for a diploma programme.

  • Higher Certificate – Admission to Higher Certificate: the learner can be admitted to an institution for pursuing a  higher certificate programme.

  • National Senior Certificate – Pass NSC: the learner has passed Grade 12.

  • Endorsed – Pass Endorsed NSC for learners with Special Educational Needs.

National Senior Certificate pass types explained 

 

The learner can achieve the pass types above through achieving the following results:

 

Bachelor Pass (B)

Must obtain at least 40% for your Home Language.
Must obtain at least 50% for four other High Credit subjects.
Must obtain at least 30% for two other subjects.

 

Diploma Pass (D)

Must obtain at least 40% for your Home Language.
Must obtain at least 40% for four other High Credit subjects.
Must obtain at least 30% for two other subjects

 

Higher Certificate Pass (HC)

Must obtain 40% in your Home Language.
Must obtain at least 40% in two other subjects.
Must obtain at least 30% for three other subjects.
It is important to note that one of your languages must either be English or Afrikaans to qualify for a Higher Certificate.