Matric results season is one of the most stressful (and exciting) times in South Africa. Whether you’re aiming for university, college, learnerships, or jobs, the key is to check your results correctly, understand your pass level, and act quickly if anything is wrong.
This guide shows you how to check your Matric results, what each pass level means, and the exact next steps to take for university admissions, funding (NSFAS & bursaries), re-marks, rewrites, and upgrades.
What You Need Before You Check
Have these ready to avoid mistakes:
- ID number (or exam number if required)
- Full names as registered for the exam
- Province + school details (helpful if results are missing)
- A pen/notebook to write down subject symbols and percentages
How To Check Matric Results (Best Options)
1) Check at Your School (Most Reliable)
Most learners collect official results from their school. This is often the quickest way to confirm your marks are correct and ask questions immediately.
2) Check Online
Online results are popular because they’re fast—just make sure you enter your details exactly as registered.
3) Check via SMS / USSD (If Available)
Some services allow SMS/USSD checking. These are useful when data is expensive or the site is slow.
4) Newspapers (Limited + Not Always Ideal)
Newspapers sometimes publish results, but privacy concerns and missing names can be an issue. Use this only as a backup.
Tip: Don’t panic if the website is slow on day 1—traffic is usually massive.
Understanding Your Matric Pass Level (This Matters for Your Next Step)
Your pass level affects what you can do next:
✅ Bachelor’s Pass
- Best for university degree entry (depending on program requirements)
- You still need the right subjects/APS for your course
✅ Diploma Pass
- Good for universities of technology and many college diplomas
✅ Higher Certificate Pass
- Good for TVET colleges, many entry-level programs, and bridging routes
❌ Not Achieved / Fail
- You still have options: rewrite, upgrade, second chance programmes, and skills routes
What To Do Immediately After You Get Your Results
If You Passed
Do these within the first week:
- Calculate your APS score (universities use this a lot)
- Compare your marks to entry requirements (course-specific)
- Prepare documents:
- ID copy
- Proof of results
- Proof of address
- Guardian income proof (for funding)
- Apply/confirm:
- University / TVET / private college
- NSFAS / bursaries
- Student accommodation
If You Didn’t Get the Results You Expected
Don’t assume it’s over. You can:
- Apply for re-mark / re-check
- Request an exam script viewing (where available)
- Rewrite specific subjects
- Upgrade key subjects to reach Bachelor/Diploma entry
Missing Results? Here’s What Causes It (And What To Do)
Sometimes results show as “incomplete” or missing due to:
- Admin errors (name/ID mismatch)
- Outstanding internal marks issues
- Subject registration problems
What to do:
- Confirm your details with your school immediately
- Ask for the correct exam number/details
- Escalate to the district/provincial education office if needed
Re-mark vs Re-check: What’s the Difference?
Re-check
- A quick verification that marking totals were captured correctly
Re-mark
- Your paper is marked again (useful if you were close to a pass or a higher symbol)
Best time to apply: As soon as applications open (these windows are usually short).
Rewrite or Upgrade Matric: Which One Should You Choose?
Rewrite (If You Failed or Need a Better Mark Fast)
Rewrite is best when:
- You failed one or more subjects
- You need to improve a specific subject (Math/Science/Accounting)
- You want to qualify for a course or funding requirement
Upgrade (If You Passed but Want a Better Pass Level)
Upgrade is best when:
- You passed, but you want Bachelor’s entry
- You want to raise your APS for a competitive course
- You’re targeting bursaries that require higher marks
High-Value Next Steps
If you want a post that earns higher AdSense RPM, include sections people search that attract higher-paying ads (education funding, admissions, career training):
1) University Applications & Admission
- How to choose a course
- APS score basics
- Documents needed
- Admission statuses: provisional vs final
2) NSFAS Funding
- Who qualifies
- What documents are needed
- Common reasons applications fail
- Appeal tips
3) Bursaries & Scholarships
- Where to find bursaries by field (teaching, nursing, engineering, IT)
- How to write a motivation letter
- How to build a simple student CV
4) Student Accommodation & Laptops
- Residence vs private accommodation checklists
- Laptop requirements for university/college
- Data/insurance basics for students
5) Learnerships & Internships
- Learnerships for Matric
- TVET routes to employment
- How to avoid scams
Check Matric Results
Common Matric Results Mistakes (Avoid These)
- Typing wrong ID digits
- Confusing exam number with school number
- Assuming a “pass” means you qualify for any course (course requirements still matter)
- Waiting too long to apply for re-mark/rewrite/funding
