How to upgrade Matric results in South Africa
If your Matric results are not good enough for the course you want, you can upgrade specific subjects instead of rewriting everything.
Upgrading is a common and smart option — especially if only 1–2 subjects are holding you back.
What does “upgrading Matric” mean?
Upgrading Matric means:
- Improving marks in specific subjects
- Writing exams again for those subjects
- Using the improved marks to increase your APS or meet subject requirements
You do not need to redo all subjects unless you choose to.
Common reasons students upgrade
Students usually upgrade to:
- Increase APS for university admission
- Move from a Diploma pass to a Bachelor pass
- Improve Mathematics or Physical Sciences
- Meet entry requirements for competitive programmes
- Qualify for funding or progression opportunities
Which subjects should you upgrade?
Focus on subjects that:
- Count towards APS
- Are required for your target course
- Are currently pulling your APS down
Examples:
- Mathematics (very common)
- Physical Sciences
- Home Language or First Additional Language
Upgrade vs rewrite: what’s the difference?
Upgrading subjects
- You rewrite specific subjects only
- Faster and more focused
- Most common option
Rewriting full Matric
- You rewrite all subjects
- Takes longer
- Usually unnecessary unless results were very poor
Important: APS comes first
Before upgrading anything:
- Calculate your current APS
- Identify the APS required for your target course
- See how many points you need to gain
Use the APS Calculator to test:
- Best 6 vs best 7
- Include/exclude Life Orientation
- Maths vs Math Lit impact
How upgrading can change your APS (example)
If you improve a subject from:
- 30–39% → 50–59%
That alone can add 2 APS points, which can make a big difference.
Things to watch out for
- Some degrees require Mathematics, not Mathematical Literacy
- Universities may look at latest results or best results
- Programme rules differ by institution
Always check admission requirements for the course you want.
Alternative pathways (if upgrading isn’t enough)
If your APS is still too low after upgrading, consider:
- Higher Certificate → Diploma → Degree pathway
- TVET college programmes
- Bridging or extended programmes (where offered)