What do matric pass symbols mean? Matric symbols & levels

Matric symbols in South Africa are associated with matric pass levels that eventually lead learners to different higher learning education levels. Congratulations to the students who recorded excellent grades. So, what do matric pass symbols mean in 2026?

Key takeaways

• Upon sitting for your matric exam, markers from the Department of Basic Education use the seven subjects you chose in Grade 9 to calculate your results and then determine the matric pass rate symbols to give you.
• The highest pass in South African matric (National Senior Certificate - NSC) is a Level 7 (80-100%), often referred to as an "Outstanding achievement".
• Universities consider below 40% as a failure. Meanwhile, the NSC is more lenient. To them, a failure means getting less than 30%.

What are the matric pass symbols in South Africa?

The matric results pass symbols stand for the learner's level of achievement in a subject. Be proud of everything you scored on your results statement because you did your best.

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Matric pass symbols and their meanings

Here are the matric pass symbols and different levels in South Africa:

• Code 7 (A): 80 - 100% (Outstanding )
• Code 6 (B): 70 - 79% (Meritorious )
• Code 5 (C): 60 - 69% (Substantial )
• Code 4 (D): 50 - 59% (Moderate )
• Code 3 (E): 40 - 49% (Adequate )
• Code 2 (F): 30 - 39% (Elementary )
• Code 1 (FF): 0 - 29% (Not achieved )

What is the pass mark for matric in South Africa?

Universities consider below 40% as a failure. Meanwhile, the NSC is more lenient. To them, a failure means getting less than 30%.

Did the government scrap the 30% matric pass mark?

The statement is not entirely true because the education system allows varying requirements for each degree, diploma, or higher learning certificate.

However, the average pass mark is 40% for most courses in Mzansi.

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What are the three pass levels in matric?

Mzansi's education system currently has only three matric levels:

• A Bachelor's Pass (B): It is course-dependent and a provisional entrance into a university.
• A Diploma Pass (D): It offers high school graduates provisional entry into a Technikon/TVET college.
• A Higher Certificate Pass (H): It enables the student to gain provisional entry into a College or certificate course.

How are matric results calculated?

Exam markers from the Department of Basic Education use the seven subjects you chose in Grade 9 to calculate your results and then determine the matric pass rate symbols to give you.

A student must sit for a Home Language, First Additional Language, Mathematics (or Mathematical Literacy), and Life Orientation.

The learner then chooses three subjects from the low-credit and high-credit categories. Here is how matric results are calculated:

• Internal School-based Assessments (SBA) make up 25% of your final matric result. SBA is a combination of how your school grades your classwork, assignments, tests, and the exams you sit for throughout the year.
• The external final exam (except Life Orientation) makes up 75% of your final matric result.

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Frequently asked questions

Most universities follow the British system's grading model when enrolling new students. Therefore, this creates confusion in the minds of many undergraduate, diploma, and higher learning certificate applicants after they complete high school. Here are answers to the frequently asked questions:

1. What does symbol c mean in matric results?

The 60% to 69% mark, symbol C, falls under the substantial achievement level in the National Senior Certificate (NSE) and a second-division achievement in the university.

2. What does symbol H mean in matric results?

The letter "H" stands for Higher Certificate Pass, but this doesn't imply that you are not eligible for higher learning education. It only means that you scored:

• 40% minimum in 3 subjects (one must be a Home Language).
• 30% minimum in 3 other subjects.
• Failed one subject (below 30%). It should not necessarily be your First Additional Language or Home Language.

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The failure in one subject automatically qualifies you for a Higher Certificate pass, even if you scored all A's in other subjects. An individual with this academic performance has three alternatives:

• Get a job if you are not ready to further your studies now.
• Pursue a certificate course at an FET (Further Education and Training) accredited college.
• Upgrade your matric results to pursue a degree or diploma program at the university.

For those choosing the third option, upgrading their results, there are several ways of doing this:

• Complete a bridging course at your old school, new school, or college. It will help you build a solid pre-diploma/degree foundation.
• Apply for a remark at a small fee if you feel you should have been awarded distinctions ( 78-79%). It is to your advantage since markers retain the same marks if they discover they gave you more.
• You also have a second chance. Rewrite the matric exams at your old or new school.

3. What's a bachelor's pass in matric?

A bachelor's pass falls in the 50 to 59% category with a symbol D. The National Senior Certificate (NSC) regards it as a moderate score, while 30 to 39% (symbol F) is elementary performance.

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4. What is a distinction pass in matric?

70% is a good mark in NSC, but it is not regarded as an average minimum for college distinction. You must work extremely hard because most Mzansi universities acknowledge a 1st class pass as 75% or above.

5. What do HG and SG stand for?

HG and SG most commonly stand for Higher Grade and Standard Grade, terms from South Africa's old matric (high school) system for different difficulty levels in subjects.

6. What is the highest pass in matric?

The highest pass in South African matric (National Senior Certificate - NSC) is a Level 7 (80-100%), often called an "Outstanding achievement," and the highest overall score is an Admission Point Score (APS) of 42 (7 points per subject for 6 subjects), signifying top results, with some classifications even noting an APS level 8 for 90-100%.

7. Is 80 an A or B in South Africa?

In South Africa, 80% is generally considered an A (or Distinction) in the Matric (Grade 12) system.

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8. What were the matric symbols before 2008?

Before 2008 in South Africa, matric symbols used letters (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) for achievement levels, with subjects offered at Higher Grade (HG) and Standard Grade (SG), each having different percentage ranges and point values, with HG being more difficult and often required for university entry, unlike the unified National Senior Certificate (NSC) system with levels (1-7) used today.

Now that you understand the meaning of matric pass symbols, choose the best higher learning institution to advance your studies. You will enjoy more freedom at these higher learning institutions than you ever did in high school.

Briefly.co.za also shared guidelines for becoming a paralegal in South Africa. These are not lawyers but are equally respected in the legal profession. Paralegals work for legal departments, law offices, and courts.

Paralegals work in legal departments at law offices and courts. In addition, they offer lawyers legal support services by performing legal and business research. Therefore, do not miss the chance to pursue a paralegal course if you are financially capable or can get a bursary or scholarship.

Source: Briefly News