Assessment / High Schools / National Senior Certificate / Categories of Achievement in the NSC

Achievement of the NSC                 

A learner must pass:

  • One official language at Home Language level at 40%
  • 2 additional subjects at 40%
  • 3 other subjects at 30%

Achievement of the NSC with entry to Higher Certificate study

A learner must pass:

  • Pass the NSC (see Achievement of the NSC above)
  • Meet the language requirement for further study at a South African institution

Achievement of the NSC with entry to Diploma study

A learner must pass:

  • Pass one official language at Home Language level at 40%
  • Pass 3 additional subjects at 40% (excluding Life Orientation)
  • Pass 2 other subjects at 30%
  • Meet the language requirement for further study at a South African institution

Achievement of the NSC with entry to Degree studies

A learner must pass:

  • Pass one official language at Home Language level at 40% or more.
  • Pass 4 subjects at 50% or more (excluding Life Orientation)
  • Pass 2 other subjects at a minimum of 30%
  • Meet the language requirement for entry to further study

 

Condonations

A maximum of one subject will be condoned in the event that a candidate requires a maximum of 2%, to obtain a subject pass at either 30% or 40%. This condonation will be applied on condition that the application of the condonation allows the candidate to pass the entire qualification. Such a condonation may only be applied in Grade 12 in awarding the qualification


Other considerations where further information must be sought from the institution of learning

  • Immigrant candidates must apply for recognition as an immigrant to qualify for immigrant concessions.
  • Learners with barriers to learning may apply for accommodations or exemptions as appropriate to their specific conditions.

Qualifications offered at tertiary institutions

  • Tertiary institutions will continue to offer tertiary programmes (degrees, diplomas and/or higher certificates) as they have been doing. Universities tend to offer degree programmes, Universities of Technology mainly offer diplomas and some B Tech degrees and National Higher Certificates. Some comprehensive universities and some Universities of Technology offer all three.
  • NB: Decisions about admission to a tertiary institution are the prerogative of the institution. The fact that you have achieved the minimum requirements does not necessarily mean that the institution will accept you. Should you be short of one requirement for specific studies, it is possible that an institution will grant you a conditional exemption. You should contact the Admissions Office at the institution you are interested in studying at, who will then advise you of possible options.

Further Studies Courses

  • Further Studies Afrikaans, Further Studies English, Further Studies Mathematics and Further Studies Physics are not registered NSC subjects and hence will not be take into account when determining whether a learner has met the requirements for any of the categories of achievement in the NSC.  The IEB will issue a separate statement of results and a separate IEB certificate for these subjects.  Go to Further Studies Courses to read more.
  • The above will also apply to any learner who completed the Advanced Programme Courses with the IEB prior to 2022.