Study calculators
Find out what pass you are heading for, what you need in the exam for a distinction, and your APS score for university.
With these marks you are heading for a
Bachelor pass
You meet the minimum for a degree. Now check the APS and subject marks for the courses you want.
- Home language at 40% or more
- Two other subjects at 40%, and three more at 30%
- English (language of learning) at 30% or more
- Four subjects at 40% or more, not LO
- Four designated subjects at 50% or more, not LO
Based on the national NSC pass rules. A Bachelor pass is the minimum for degree study; each university and course sets higher marks and an APS on top. Subjects marked as designated are on the DBE list for degree entry.
Exam mark you need
84%
To finish with a distinction (80%) you need at least 84% in the final exam.
| Final mark | Exam needed |
|---|
A distinction is 80% or more in a subject. Life Orientation is marked fully at school, so this calculator does not apply to it.
Your APS, without Life Orientation
31
With Life Orientation it is 38. Most universities leave LO out, and each course sets its own minimum APS and subject marks.
- 10-29
- 230-39
- 340-49
- 450-59
- 560-69
- 670-79
- 780+
Most universities count six subjects and leave out Life Orientation. Some, like Wits, use their own scoring. Always check the prospectus of each university on our universities page.
Pass levels explained
What marks do I need for a Bachelor pass?
At least 40% in your home language, 50% or more in four designated subjects (not Life Orientation), at least 30% in your language of learning, and you must pass six of your seven subjects.
What is a Diploma pass?
At least 40% in your home language, 40% or more in four subjects (not Life Orientation), at least 30% in your language of learning, and six of seven subjects passed.
What is a distinction?
A distinction is a final mark of 80% or more in a subject, which is level 7.
How is my final Grade 12 mark calculated?
For most subjects your year mark (school-based assessment) counts 25% and the final exam 75%. Subjects with a practical assessment task count the year mark 25%, the PAT 25% and the exam 50%. Life Orientation is marked fully at school.
How do I calculate my APS?
Each mark becomes a level from 1 to 7: 80% or more is 7, 70 to 79% is 6, 60 to 69% is 5, 50 to 59% is 4, 40 to 49% is 3, 30 to 39% is 2 and below 30% is 1. Most universities add six subjects and leave out Life Orientation.