What to do with your matric results? (2024)

So the big day has finallyarrived that you receive the results you have been dreading the whole year. Formost it is a very stressful moment but for some it is a very exciting moment intheir lives, the decider of their futures. Whoever you are where ever you are Iassure you now that there is no need to stress about the outcome of yourresults, there is still time on your hands. You have so many options availableto you that it makes the outcome of your results not seem as constricting asyou may have thought. I know for a fact that most if not all of you wereplanning on at least achieving a bachelor’s pass (B symbol) to qualify to studya University degree. Well this article is aimed at informing matriculants ofthe previous year as well as matriculants of upcoming years of the optionsavailable to them after receiving their results.

First I will discuss the minimumrequirements needed to pass matric i.e. to obtain the NSC (National SeniorCertificate). They are as follows:

-Itis necessary to pass your Home Language for most people it is English. The passmark is 40%, therefore you have to at leastget 40% for your Home Language to pass matric.
- Nextyou need to have a minimum of 40% for at least three of your subjects, one ofwhich has to be your Home Language. This means you can fail your FirstAdditional Language and still pass matric! However your overall average has tobe above 33,3%. But this is not recommended of cause!

Simply passing matric does notguarantee you entrance to any institution you wish to attend. You have to meetthe certain requirements of that institution.

Next I will discuss all the differentsymbols that can be awarded to candidates and explain what each of them meani.e. where each of them will allow them to study. Basically, there are threedifferent symbols that can be awarded to candidates these include the symbolsB, D and H. These are explained in detail below:

The Bachelors symbol is the minimum symbol requiredto enter into a degree programme at a university. It is the best possible passlevel you can achieve. It is obtained as follows:

- Aminimum of 50% is required for at least four subjects and 30% for three othersubjects.
- Thesubminimum of 40% remains for your Home Language.
- Asubminimum of 30% is required for your First Additional Language.
- Youmay not fail a subject i.e. get a final mark of less than 30%.

Bear in mind that these are theminimum requirements needed to enter into a degree or diploma programme in anytertiary institution in South Africa. They do not guarantee you entry to thatprogramme, you have research the specific requirements needed for thatprogramme. Having a degree qualification is always a great idea, it gives yougood credibility. Employers will often employ people with degrees in fieldswhere their degrees do not apply because of the mere fact that their degreeshave exposed them to large workloads and intellectual challenges.

A Diploma symbol is the minimumsymbol that allows you to enter into a diploma programme, you automatically donot qualify for a degree programme when you pass with a symbol D. Therequirements for a diploma pass are as follows:

- A minimum of 40% for 4 subjects (one of whichmust be a Home Language).
- A minimum of 30% for 3 other subjects.
- As in a Bachelors pass you may not fail anysubject i.e. get a final mark less than 30%

Obtaining a Diploma pass does notmean that you will not be allowed to enrol at a tertiary institution, it onlymeans that you will not be allowed to enter into a degree programme, you willbe able to enter into any diploma programme given you meet the requirements forthat programme. Many diplomas are found in Universities of Technology. Thereare great career paths that can be followed in Universities of Technology.Diploma programmes are usually more practical than degree programmes andusually take less time to complete, most diploma programmes take a minimum ofthree years. Although degree graduates are usually more preferred than diplomagraduates, there are certain employees that prefer Diploma graduates overDegree graduates because of their practical knowledge i.e. diploma graduateswould be more preferred in constructions sites by contractors in theconstruction industry.

A certificate pass means that youhave passed matric with the minimum requirements and cannot study further at aUniversity or University of Technology. The pass requirements for a HigherCertificate are as follows:

- Aminimum of 40% for 3 subjects (one of which must be a Home Language).
- Aminimum of 30% for a further 3 subjects.
- Onefail (final mark below 30%) is allowed. This may not be you First AdditionalLanguage or Home Language.
- Thefail in the one subject automatically qualifies you for a Higher Certificatepass even if you get all A’s in your other subjects.

Passing with a symbol H does notmean that you will never be able to study at a University or University ofTechnology, you may take bridging courses offered by accredited FET (Further Educationand Training) Colleges. These courses will allow you to upgrade your matricresults so that you may enter to the degree or diploma programme you wish toenter. If you wish to continue studying with a Higher Certificate Pass you mayenter courses found in chef school, beauty schools etc. If instead you wouldlike to work, you may find work at administrative jobs or physical jobs.

Hint! Here is a possible career path you may take even with an H pass and it pays well: A career in marketing and advertising.

Finally, I will discuss theoptions available if you do not pass matric or do as well as you expected

If you do not do as well as youhave expected there are two options you can take:

I know some people may feel thatthey were meant to get distinctions in some subjects an example would be astudent who gets 78-79% for a subject, in this case a student may apply for a remarkat an extra cost. Usually a student may worry that their marks may drop evenfurther after the remark but this is not the case, if the markers find thatthey actually gave you more marks than you deserve they rather keep the marksthe same. So basically a remark is to your advantage as a learner.

A supplementary exam is availablea bit later after the results have come out, these can be taken to improve yourmatric results. However you are only allowed to re-write a maximum of two subjects.

If you fail matric the followingoptions are available:

- Geta job: if you feel you have had enough of school.

- Enrolat a school that will allow you to finish off your matric: Often it is hard tofind a school.- Finishoff matric at your old school.

-Enrolat a college to finish off the subjects you need to finish and get the marksyou need to get into the course you want.