Have you ever wondered how to calculate your APS score and what it is? We go over all the information you need to know about APS scores in this article. It’s fair to say that the APS system as a whole frequently appears more complicated than it really is.

Know About APS Score: How to Calculate It

What is APS

APS, for those who are unaware, stands for Admission Point Score. Universities and other higher institutions in South Africa frequently request this score as part of the application process. On application forms, it is occasionally a prerequisite for admittance.

The significance of matric is frequently emphasized by teachers and parents. The rationale is that a person’s admission to a university is greatly influenced by their matriculation scores and subject preferences. To put it plainly, an individual’s matric marks for the examination subjects are used to determine their APS score. As a result, the APS score increases as the grades go.

Students will have to meet a certain APS minimum requirement, depending on the course they would like to study. It should be noted that each African university has a different way of determining this score. Furthermore, each tertiary institution is different and has different pre-requisites and admission requirements.

If a student does not have their matric finals marks, they can apply with their grade 11 marks.

What are APS Scores

A student’s APS scores are very important as it helps for a number of reasons:

1. It helps determine whether they will be considered for university admission.
2. Furthermore, it’s an initial screening method that almost all universities look at.
3. The better a potential student’s APS score, the greater their chances of getting into university.
4. It gives them some direction as to what their options are after school.

How to calculate APS Score

Calculating your APS score is rather easy. All you need to do is take your top six high-school subjects and your examination certificate. Next, take a look at the points system below to help work out your score.

• 80% – 100% = 7 points
• 70% – 79% = 6 points
• 60% – 69% = 5 points
• 50% – 59% = 4 points
• 40% – 49% = 3 points
• 30% – 39% = 2 points
• 0% – 29% = 1 point

The percentage you received for each matric subject will determine your points and score calculation. Most universities will follow this 1-7 points system, you will recognise the same shown on your Matric Certificate.

For example, Matthew had the following marks for his six matric subjects:

• Math’s: 55%
• English: 85%
• Afrikaans: 77%
• Geography: 90%
• Accounting: 50%
• Physics: 52%

This is what his points will look like:

• Math= 4 points
• English = 7 points
• Afrikaans= 6 points
• Geography= 7 points
• Accounting= 4 points
• Physics= 4 points

In total Matthew has a score of 32 APS, which isn’t too bad. The highest APS score that someone can get is 42. That would mean that they would have to have distinctions for all of their fundamental subjects.

Here are some of the minimum APS scores required for qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree 21+ points
• Diploma – 18 points
• Higher Certificate – 15 points

Determining your APS will help give you a clearer understanding of what you can study. Furthermore, once you have your APS score you can determine which degree programme you can qualify for. You can also view what your university or tertiary options will be.

Subjects that contribute to APS scores

Unfortunately, most universities do not count Life Orientation marks when calculating APS. However, they do look at every other subject’s marks.

The first three APS marks that are calculated come from the three compulsory subjects. That is maths literacy, home language, and a first additional language. The next three extra subjects come from the correct subjects students have chosen. This gives a total of six subjects that are then added to work out the APS score.

Most academic students opt to take on two additional subjects. The extra subject will contribute a great deal to their APS scores.

Does subject choice make a difference?

The subject you choose has a significant impact on what you want to study. This can work in the favor of students who are clear about what they want to study. However, it’s crucial to leave your options open if you are unsure about what you want to accomplish.

Selecting “important subjects” is always a smart move and will undoubtedly help students. They will have a lot more career alternatives, which is the fundamental justification for this. Students who enroll in less common courses are constrained to a restricted range of employment options.

Students frequently inquire about math and math literacy as well. The superior choice is unquestionably pure mathematics. If you want to pursue a career in engineering or another related field, this is the ideal topic to take. Pure mathematics isn’t necessary, though, if you’re interested in a profession in fashion, for example.

Additionally, arithmetic literacy is sufficient for the following programs:

• BA Courses
• Educational degrees
• Commerce degrees
• Law degrees

Some degrees do have subject requirements, for example teaching degrees often have a different a requirement for Engineering and Science degrees.

Does a good APS score make a difference?

A good APS score can make some sort of a difference. However, as we’ve previously mentioned, it doesn’t guarantee acceptance. It does depend on the respective programmes and varies institution to institution. The bottom line is that APS scores need to be good enough for the course you’d like to study.

It’s a good idea to have a backup plan and to apply at different institutes. The reason being, if one university rejects your application another might accept it. Therefore, this allows you to keep your options open while keeping the possibility of studying available.

APS scores for different Matric pass requirements

Let’s take a look at how APS scores affect the matric pass requirements. Here, we will take a look at each pass level accompanied by APS scores.

Bachelors pass – 23 APS points

In order for a student to get a Bachelors’s Pass, they will need to have a total of 23 APS points.

• 4 APS points for four high credit subjects
• 3 APS points in home language
• 2 APS points in other two subject

This means they will need to get:

• At least 50-59% for four subjects
• 40-49% in home language
• 30-39% for two other subjects

Diploma pass- 19 APS points

Students will need at least 19 APS points to get a Diploma pass.

• 3 APS points for home language
• 3 APS points in four high credit subjects
• 2 APS points in two other subject

This means they will need to get:

• At least 40-49% in home language
• 40-49% in four other high credit subjects
• 30-39% in two other subjects

Higher certificate pass- 15 APS points

For a student to get a higher certificate pass they will need at least 15 APS points.

• 3 APS points for home language
• 3 APS points in two other subjects
• 2 APS points for three other subjects

This means they will need to get:

• 40-49% for home language
• 40-49% in two other subjects
• 30-39%  for three other subjects

National Senior Certificate- 14 APS points

Students who pass with an NSC will obtain a minimum of 14 APS points.

• 3 APS points in home language
• 3 APS points in two other subjects
• 2 APS points in four other subjects

This means they will need to get:

• 40-49% for home language
• 40-49% in two other subjects
• 30-39%  for four other subjects

Important things to remember

While having a good APS score is important, simply meeting the pass mark doesn’t guarantee admission into a university. Universities will look at other important criteria and basic requirements that need to be met by students. This includes subjects taken in school and, attaining a bachelor’s pass. It should be noted that Life Orientation is excluded from the APS calculation.

Universities will also have to evaluate the amount of space available for the course. Furthermore, some students might even have to write an entrance exam, depending on the course. A student’s chance of getting accepted improves once they have passed the National benchmarking test.

All of the above factors play a detrimental role in whether or not a student will get accepted. At the end of the day, your APS score can help you determine which career path to take.