South Africa’s 30% matric pass mark ‘myth’: THIS is how it works

Basic Education minister Angie Motshekga has once again countered the notion that South Africa’s pass mark for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) is a lowly 30%.

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Motshekga last week said, according to eNCA, that the “30% pass mark” is a myth that’s raised every year around the time of the release of matric results.

She added that no such single pass mark exists.

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In previous years, Motshekga’s department admitted that outrage is often expressed over the fact that the pass mark per subject is 30%.

However, the department added that those unhappy overlook the fact that a candidate cannot obtain a National Senior Certificate if they simply pass all seven subjects with 30%.

Pupils must pass at least three subjects at 40%, the department confirmed.

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Three possible passes for matric learners

As confirmed by The South African website, matric results for the class of 2022 will be announced on Thursday, 19 January and distributed by schools on Friday, 20 January.

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According to BusinessTech, matriculants in South Africa can qualify for three different passes, namely: a Bachelor’s pass, a Diploma pass and a Certificate pass.

Bachelor’s pass

A bachelor’s pass means you can apply for a degree course at a university or university of technology and can study for a higher certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree.

To achieve a bachelor’s pass, learners must:

• Pass 6 of 7 subjects
• At least 50% in four subjects
• At least 40% in Home Language
• At least 30% in the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT)
• At least 30% for one other subject

To note, however, is that even if a learner achieves a bachelor’s pass, they do not automatically qualify for a university position.

Diploma pass

A diploma pass requires 40% in four higher credit subjects, 30% in three lower credit subjects – and learners may fail one subject.

With this pass, learners can enrol for a bridging course at a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college or a diploma course at a university of technology.

To receive a diploma pass, a learner must:

• Pass 6 of 7 subjects
• At least 40% in four subjects
• At least 40% in Home Language
• At least 30% in the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT)

Certificate pass

A certificate pass requires a 40% pass in your home language, two subjects above 40%, four subjects above 30% – and learners may fail one subject.

A certificate pass allows learners to study for a higher certificate.

• Pass 6 out of 7 subjects
• At least 40% in Home Language
• At least 40% in two other subjects
• At least 30% for four other subjects

This gives learners access to different levels of tertiary education and doesn’t rely on one pass mark across the board.

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