Turn your matric marks into a clearer university plan. Calculate your standard APS and compare the Wits method in one place.
For South African NSC results, including CAPS and IEB. Free to use, with no sign-up.
An Admission Point Score converts your matric marks into a number used in university admissions.
The standard method gives each academic subject 1 to 7 points using its NSC achievement level. Add six subjects, excluding Life Orientation, for a total out of 42.
This is a starting point. Universities set their own calculations and programme requirements, including compulsory subjects and minimum marks.
Read the complete APS guide| Your mark | NSC level | APS points |
|---|---|---|
| 80% to 100% | 7 | 7 |
| 70% to 79% | 6 | 6 |
| 60% to 69% | 5 | 5 |
| 50% to 59% | 4 | 4 |
| 40% to 49% | 3 | 3 |
| 30% to 39% | 2 | 2 |
| 0% to 29% | 1 | 1 |
Use the percentage shown on your results. A zero mark and a blank field are different: a blank is excluded from the running subtotal.
Start with your marks, convert them to points, then check the rules for your chosen degree.
Use final NSC percentages for your completed matric results. Grade 11 marks can help you plan, but provisional-offer rules vary by university.
Use the points table above. For example, 74% earns 6 points and 58% earns 4. Leave Life Orientation out of the standard total.
Compare your score with the current admission requirements. A sufficient total cannot replace a required Mathematics, language or science mark.
Six academic marks of 82%, 74%, 76%, 71%, 58% and 45% convert to:
7 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 3
The calculator’s example uses English and Mathematics, plus 85% for Life Orientation, giving a Wits estimate of 39.
Try these marks in the calculatorAPS methods are not interchangeable. Use the relevant university’s current requirements before choosing subjects or applying.
| University | How to use your results | Official guidance |
|---|---|---|
| UP and UJ | The six-subject NSC scale excludes Life Orientation. Check each programme’s required subjects and minimum levels. | UP calculator·UJ prospectus |
| Wits | A weighted score from seven subjects, including Life Orientation. English and Mathematics have a separate weighting. | Wits requirements |
| Unisa | Check your qualification, required subjects and score in the official Academic Point Score calculator. | Unisa calculator |
| UFS | Uses its own AP scale, including 8 points for 90% or above and 1 Life Orientation point from 60%. The standard total here is not a UFS score. | UFS prospectus |
| UCT | Uses percentage-based scores and faculty-specific selection rules. English and required subjects must be included. | UCT admissions |
| Stellenbosch | Uses percentage aggregates and programme selection requirements. Check the relevant faculty’s rules. | Stellenbosch prospectus |
Wits uses the best seven subjects, including Life Orientation and any subjects the faculty requires. This calculator uses the seven subjects you enter.
English must be Home Language or First Additional Language. Additional and Further Studies subjects need a separate check. Read the Wits rules.
| Mark % | English / Maths | Life Orientation | Other subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90% to 100% | 10 | 4 | 8 |
| 80% to 89% | 9 | 3 | 7 |
| 70% to 79% | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| 60% to 69% | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| 50% to 59% | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 40% to 49% | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Below 40% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring guidance checked against the linked university sources on 23 October 2026. Requirements can change; the university makes the admission decision.
The qualification determines how your results are assessed. Online learners need to meet the same university requirements.
The NSC uses the same achievement levels across the DBE, IEB and SACAI. Universities then apply their own admission rules to those results.
CambriLearn’s CAPS pathway is registered with SACAI, and its IEB pathway is registered with the IEB. Learners study with live lessons and specialist teachers. Wits explicitly accepts NSC results from all three examination bodies.
Explore our CAPS pathway and IEB pathway, or read how universities assess online school qualifications.
Cambridge International qualifications do not use NSC levels. Check your USAf exemption route and the university’s own conversion and selection rules.
The recognition guide includes these combinations, subject to grade, subject-group and language requirements:
Minimum grades in these routes are E at A Level, D at AS Level and C at International GCSE. The AS route also has sitting and language conditions. Confirm your exact subject combination with USAf and the recognition guide.
Read our university exemption guideThe details that matter when you turn a score into a university plan.
For the standard six-subject estimate, convert each of your six academic subject percentages into NSC achievement points from 1 to 7, exclude Life Orientation, and add the points. The maximum is 42. Include any subjects your chosen programme requires and check the university’s own method.
It depends on the university. UP and UJ exclude Life Orientation. Wits includes it on a separate scale worth up to 4 points. UFS awards 1 point for Life Orientation at 60% or above. Do not use the same total for every university.
Yes. The Wits estimate uses the seven subjects entered, including Life Orientation. English and Mathematics receive the published weighting. If you take additional or Further Studies subjects, check your best seven and compulsory subjects against the official Wits requirements.
Use the standard score as a starting point, then check the official university calculator or prospectus. Universities also set subject, language and qualification requirements. This tool does not check whether you qualify for a particular course.
There is no single APS that secures university admission. The score you need depends on the university, programme, required subjects and available places. Compare your results with the current programme requirements. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
Both pathways lead to the National Senior Certificate and use the same NSC achievement levels. The university applies its admissions method to your results. Wits explicitly accepts NSC results from the DBE, IEB and SACAI.
You can enter Grade 11 marks to estimate your score and plan subject targets. Universities set their own rules for provisional offers and the results they require. Final admission depends on meeting their final requirements.
Improving a subject mark can raise your APS when it moves into a higher points band. Check the target university’s rewrite policy before registering. Wits currently considers only one matric upgrade or rewrite attempt.
Cambridge International qualifications do not use NSC achievement levels. Applicants need to check USAf exemption requirements and their chosen university’s international qualification rules. A Level and AS Level combinations have subject-group and grade conditions; this NSC calculator cannot assess them.
Talk through subject choices, matric pathways and your child’s university goals with a CambriLearn education consultant.
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