Whether you’re refreshing your phone at midnight or avoiding it entirely, matric results day hits different. This guide walks you through exactly what happens, how to read your results, and what to do next — no matter what the outcome is. You’ve got options, and we’re going to cover all of them.
When and How to Check Your Results
The Department of Basic Education usually releases NSC results in early January. You can check yours through:
- The DBE website — education.gov.za
- SMS — your school will provide details
- Your school — results are also sent to your school for collection
IEB results typically come out a day or two earlier than NSC results and are accessed through your school directly.
How to Read Your Results Statement
Your results statement shows:
- Subject name and level (e.g., Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy)
- Your mark as a percentage
- Achievement level (1-7)
- Whether you achieved a Bachelor’s Pass, Diploma Pass, Higher Certificate Pass, or did not pass
The Achievement Levels
| Level | Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 80-100% | Outstanding |
| 6 | 70-79% | Meritorious |
| 5 | 60-69% | Substantial |
| 4 | 50-59% | Adequate |
| 3 | 40-49% | Moderate |
| 2 | 30-39% | Elementary |
| 1 | 0-29% | Not Achieved |
What Kind of Pass Did You Get?
Bachelor’s Pass — You can apply to any university degree programme. Requirements: 50%+ in four designated subjects (from the recognised list).
Diploma Pass — You can apply for diploma programmes at universities of technology. Requirements: 40%+ in four recognised subjects, including your home language.
Higher Certificate Pass — You can apply for certificate programmes. Requirements: minimum pass in your home language and two other subjects.
If You Did Well — What to Do Now
Congratulations! Here’s your checklist:
- Check your university application status — if you applied during Grade 12, check for acceptance letters
- Accept your offer — most universities have a deadline. Don’t miss it.
- Apply for financial aid — NSFAS applications, bursaries, and scholarships. The NSFAS website has current deadlines.
- Register for orientation — first-year orientation (O-Week) is your introduction to university life
- Celebrate — you earned it. Twelve years of school, done.
If your marks are higher than expected, you might qualify for programmes you didn’t initially apply to. Contact the university admissions office directly — spaces open up as students decline offers.
If You’re Disappointed — What to Do Now
This is the part nobody talks about openly, but it’s the part that matters most. A disappointing result is not the end. Here are your actual options:
Option 1: Apply for Remarking or Rechecking
- Rechecking — they verify your marks were added up correctly (cheaper, faster)
- Remarking — your paper is marked again by a different examiner (more expensive, but marks can go up OR down)
- Apply through your provincial education department within the deadline (usually 2-3 weeks after results)
Option 2: Write Supplementary Exams
If you failed one or two subjects, you may qualify for supplementary exams (usually in February/March). Check with your school or the DBE for eligibility.
Option 3: Rewrite Specific Subjects
You can rewrite matric subjects as an adult learner through:
- Second Chance Programme (DBE)
- Adult matric centres
- Private colleges
You only need to rewrite the subjects you want to improve — not the whole matric again.
Option 4: Alternative Pathways
University isn’t the only path to a career:
- TVET Colleges — practical, skills-based qualifications in engineering, business, hospitality, IT. Often more affordable than university and with strong job placement rates.
- Learnerships and apprenticeships — earn while you learn. Check SETA websites for opportunities in your field.
- Private colleges and online programmes — many offer accredited qualifications with flexible entry requirements.
- Gap year — work, volunteer, or travel while you figure out your next step. There’s no rule that says you must go to university immediately.
For Parents: How to Handle Results Day
Your child is probably more stressed than they’re showing. Here’s how to help:
- Be there — physically present, phone away, fully available
- React to the person, not the numbers — “I’m proud of you for getting through this” matters more than “why didn’t you get higher?”
- If results are bad — stay calm. Your child already knows. What they need is a parent who helps them problem-solve, not one who panics.
- Research options together — go through the alternatives above as a team
- Give it a few days — decisions made in the emotional aftermath of results day are rarely the best ones
A Note About Comparisons
Social media on results day is brutal. Everyone posts their distinctions. Nobody posts their failures. Remember: the people who post are a tiny minority. Most students are quietly processing their results without broadcasting them.
Your results are about YOUR path. Not anyone else’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can my matric results improve after remarking?
Yes, but they can also go down. Rechecking (verifying the addition) is risk-free. Remarking (re-marking the paper) can change your mark in either direction. It’s worth it if you were very close to a level boundary.
Q: What if I passed matric but didn’t get a Bachelor’s Pass?
You can still study. A Diploma Pass lets you do diploma programmes at universities of technology, and many diploma graduates later upgrade to degrees. You can also improve individual subject marks by rewriting them.
Q: How long do I have to apply for supplementary exams?
Deadlines vary by province but are usually within 2-3 weeks of results release. Contact your school or provincial education department immediately — don’t wait.
Q: Is it too late to apply to university if I only just got my results?
No. Many universities have a late application window in January. Some programmes still have spaces available. Contact the admissions office directly — calling is faster than emailing.
Preparing for matric? Browse study guides, past papers, and exam prep resources on LeagueIQ — all created by experienced SA educators and aligned to all South African-based curricula.
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