The matric results for 2023 have arrived! This article provides more than just grades, it offers insights into the evaluation process, explains the different levels of passing, and guides you on where to locate previous results.
How Can I Get Matric Results?
You have done the hard part by finishing your exams, and now it is time to check out your scores. Rest assured, there are plenty of easy ways to get your hands on those results. Some of them include:
- Department Of Basic Education Website
- Mobile Device Services
- Online Publications
- In-Person
Department Of Basic Education Website
Getting your matric results from the Department of Basic Education’s website is simple, here are a couple of steps you need to follow:
- Visit the website.
- Enter your examination number
- Fill in the required information
- Hit the “Search” button
- Your matric results should be displayed
Mobile Device Services
Making use of mobile device services surely makes for ease of use. Here are some services you can use and how to use them:
USSD
Using the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data is as simple as:
- Dial *120*45856#
- Enter your exam number
- Your results will be sent to your phone once available
Note: You will be charged for this service, so ensure you have recharged before using the service.
SMS
Another method of ease is the Short Message Service and here is how:
- Open the SMS app on your mobile device
- Select to send it to 45856
- Fill out your exam number in the text box
- Wait while your exam number is checked
- You should then be able to view your exam results
Note: You will incur a charge of R1.50 airtime for every minute spent following prompts.
MatricsMates App
When they said there is an app for almost everything, they were not joking! There is even one for you to check your matric results. All you need to do is:
- Download the MatricsMate App from your Google Play or Apple Store
- Open it up
- Enter both your ID and exam number
- View your results
Bonus: This method is free of charge!
Online Publications
Even though, you can no longer see your name in newspapers, you can now check your matric results with various online publications, such as:
In Person
And if you are like me and prefer tangible evidence, you can also check your matric results at your high school or the examination centre you wrote at.
What Was The Provincial Pass Rates?
Are you curious to see what previous pass rates looked like? Here is what you have missed:
Province | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
Eastern Cape | 68.1% | 73% | 77.3% |
Free State | 85.1% | 85.7% | 88.5% |
Gauteng | 83.3% | 82.8% | 84.4% |
KwaZulu-Natal | 77.6% | 76.8% | 83% |
Limpopo | 68.2% | 66.7% | 72.1% |
Mpumalanga | 73.7% | 73.6% | 76.8% |
Northern Cape | 66% | 71.4% | 74.2% |
North West | 76.2% | 78.2% | 79.8%| |
Western Cape | 79.9% | 81.2% | 81.4% |
What Are The Requirements To Pass Matric?
Passing matric is not just passing matric, but also comes with different levels of achievement. Let us have a look at what they are and what they mean:
- National Senior Certificate Pass
- Higher Certificate Pass
- Diploma Pass
- Bachelor’s Pass
National Senior Certificate Pass
This is the standard pass for matric, securing this pass means that you could apply for any tertiary course that only requires you to have a matric certificate and securing this certificate means you need to achieve the following:
- 40% in your Home Language
- 30% in two other subjects
- 30% in three other subjects
While not encouraged, aiming for just a National Senior Certificate leaves room to fail one subject, but remember the higher you aim, the further you will go.
Higher Certificate Pass
One more step up the ladder of achievements is the Higher Certificate Pass, achieving this means you could study any Higher Certificate course at institutions of higher learning and here is how you get your foot in the door:
- 40% in your Home Language
- 40% in two other subjects
- 30% in four other subjects
For this one, you have to pass at least 6 out of 7 subjects.
Diploma Pass
Further on we have a Diploma Pass, once you have obtained this achievement you can study a Diploma course at any tertiary institution offering them and here is how you achieve a Diploma Pass:
- 40% in your Home Language
- 40% in four other subjects
- 30% in two other subjects
Bachelor’s Pass
Top of the ladder is the Bachelor’s Pass, obtaining this can get you admission to pursue a degree at University. Here is what gets you into your chosen major:
- 40% in your Home Language
- 50% in four subjects
- 30% in two other subjects
What If I Am Not Happy With My Matric Results?
The disappointment can be overwhelming, casting a shadow of doubt over your academic journey. But it is important to remember that poor matric results are not the end of the road. There are several paths you can take to rectify the situation, each offering a new chance to achieve the success you desire.
Matric Rewrite
A matric rewrite involves re-sitting the entire matric exam, or specific subjects, usually in the following year. Ideal for students who want a complete do-over to significantly improve their results.
Process
- Registration: Register for the matric rewrite
- Preparation: Engage in a thorough study regime, possibly with the help of tutors or additional classes.
- Examination: Sit for the exams during the scheduled rewrite period.
- Results: Receive your new matric results which will replace the previous ones.
Matric Upgrade
A matric upgrade allows students to improve their results by re-taking one or more subjects without redoing the entire matric year. Suitable for students who are satisfied with most of their results but want to upgrade certain subject marks.
Process
- Subject Selection: Choose the specific subjects you wish to upgrade.
- Registration: Register for these subjects through an educational institution or the education department.
- Study and Preparation: Engage in focused study for the selected subjects, utilising resources like textbooks, online courses, or tutoring.
- Examination: Take the exams for these subjects at the designated time.
- Results Compilation: Your upgraded subject marks will be combined with your previous results to form your new matric certificate.
Can I Improve My Matric Results After They Have Been Released?
Absolutely! If your matric results are not up to the mark, think of it as a bump in the road, not a dead end. You can take supplementary exams or even re-enrol in some subjects. It is like getting a second shot at the goal.
How Do I Apply For A Remarking Of My Matric Results?
If you are scratching your head, thinking the examiners might have missed something, you can apply for a remarking. It is like asking someone to double-check your work, just to make sure everything is on point. Here is how you can go about it:
- Application Submission: Fill in a form to get your papers rechecked. You can usually do this at your school or through the exam board.
- Fee Payment: There is a small fee for the service. Think of it as an investment in your peace of mind.
- Await Results: Sit tight while they recheck your papers.
- Receive New Results: You will get the new scores, and hopefully, they will be more in line with what you expected.
Applying for a remarking is a practical step if you genuinely believe there has been a mistake. It is all about making sure you get the results you deserve.
What Can I Do If I Failed My Matric?
Failing matric might seem catastrophic, but it certainly does not mark the end of your prospects of success. There are a number of options available if you have not quite made the Grade 12. Here are some options you can consider:
- Self-Reflection
- Re-Marking
- Supplementary Exams
- Second Chance Program
- Re-Do Matric
- TVET College
Self-Reflection
This involves taking some time to think about your efforts and identify any personal obstacles that might have hindered your studies. It is important to be honest with yourself about whether you gave it your all. If there were personal challenges that made it difficult for you to study, identify these obstacles and seek out the support available to you.
Re-Marking
If you feel you did better than the mark you got, you could apply to have your papers re-marked. This process involves having your examination marked for a second time by a different marker. The cost for re-marking is R120 per subject. However, students who attend no-fee schools may not have to pay application fees.
Supplementary Exams
If you have failed less than 3 subjects, you may apply to write free supplementary exams. The supplementary exams are usually written in May/June.
Second Chance Program
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) offers a “Second Chance Program” which is free. This program provides those who did not pass their matric with an opportunity to do better a second time. The program offers face-to-face classes, online programmes, and television and radio broadcasts.
Re-Do Matric
If you have failed more than two subjects, you could apply at a school or private institution to re-do your matric year. This involves re-enrolling in a school or college and repeating the entire matric year.
TVET College
You could also apply to a TVET College to obtain a National Certificate Vocational, where you can receive a grade 12 equivalent trade-based qualification. TVET colleges offer a variety of courses, many of them addressing the skill shortage in South Africa.
Remember, failing matric is not the end of the road. There are still many options to get back on track. It is important to learn from your failure and keep persisting. Good luck!
