Admission Point Scores (APS) are used by universities to assess the suitability of students for a specific course. The APS is calculated based on your final high school results. Each subject you take is assigned a certain number of points, and these points are then added together to give you’re a total APS score. For example, in South Africa, the APS is calculated using your Matric marks. The marks are separated into percentage brackets, and each bracket has a corresponding number of points. Once you know how many points you have for each subject, you can add them together to get your APS total point to see which courses you qualify for at a specific university.
Different universities and courses may have different APS requirements, so it’s important to check the specific requirements for the course you’re interested in, to be able to calculate your APS points. Do you have any particular university or course in mind that you’d like to know more about?
If you do let us help you to understand more about the APS, depending on a university. Each university course has a minimum APS Score requirement. It is important to note that different universities might have different methods of calculating the APS Score. Some may consider all subjects, while others might only consider specific ones. Therefore, it is important to understand the specific APS requirements of the universities you’re interested in. This means that your APS Score can directly influence the courses you're allowed to apply for. A higher APS Score opens up a wider range of courses, giving you more options when it comes to choosing your future career path
Your APS score can also impact your chances of receiving a scholarship or bursaries. Many universities and other institutions offer scholarships and bursaries based on academic performance, and a high APS Score can increase your chances of securing one.Sometimes even study loan can be offered based on your performance and APS score.
Factors that may affect your APS score
Firstly, your APS are calculated from the three compulsory subjects: Mathematics or Maths Literacy, your Home Language and a First Additional Language. The next three points come from the subjects you have chosen as your selection subjects. This gives a total of six subjects that will be used to calculate your final admission point score. Life Orientation is not considered in the APS calculation.
Here are the key factors that influence your APS score:
1. Subject Choice
Your choice of subjects in high school plays an important role in your APS score. Every subject you take contributes to your APS score. Universities often have specific subject requirements for different courses. For instance, for a course in a science field such as Engineering; Mathematics and Physical Sciences might be required. The subjects you choose in high school can directly affect your APS score and your acceptability for certain courses.
2. Grade 11 vs Final Matric Marks
The final mark you achieve in your Matric year is used to calculate your APS score. Some universities will look at your Grade 11 marks for preliminary admission to secure a position while waiting for your final matric results. If your Grade 12 results also meet their requirements, the university will give you permanent admission. Therefore, it's essential to work hard and achieve high marks in your Matric year to increase your APS score.
3. Home Language
Your home language is a compulsory factor that can affect your APS score. Universities often require a certain level of proficiency in your home language and achieving high marks in your home language can increase your APS score and improve your chances of acceptance. Your Home Language can be any of the following subjects:
| Afrikaans | English |
| IsiNdebele | IsiXhosa |
| IsiZulu | Sepedi |
| Sesotho | Setswana |
| Siswati | Tshivenda |
| Xitsonga |
4. Additional Language
Just like your Home Language, your Additional Language subject can also affect your APS score. Therefore, doing well in an additional language can also increase your APS score. Your First Additional Language can consist of any of the following subjects:
| Afrikaans | English |
| IsiNdebele | IsiXhosa |
| IsiZulu | Sepedi |
| Sesotho | Setswana |
| Siswati | Tshivenda |
| Xitsonga |
5. Mathematics or Maths Literacy
When you choose your subjects for Grade 10, you can either choose between Mathematics or Maths Literacy. You would’ve selected between these two subjects depending on the degree, diploma or course you want to study after matric. Some university degrees require Mathematics as a subject.
6.Three Other Elective Subjects
Three other elective subjects complete the remainder of the APS score, and can consist of any combination of any of the following subjects depending on the course that you’re interested in or your career path
| Accounting | Business Studies |
| Computer Applications Technology (CAT) | Dramatic Arts |
| Economics | Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD) |
| Geography | History |
| Information Technology (IT) | Life Science |
| Music | Physical sciences |
| Tourism | Visual Arts |
7.Life Orientation
Life Orientation is a compulsory subject in the South African schooling system, but it is not considered in the calculation of the APS score.
Note: Some universities will count Life Orientation only for a single point if you pass, and sometimes universities will count it for half the allocated number of points. But it will not count the same number of points as other subjects and you shouldn’t bargain/ depend on LO being a factor when planning your admission to universities.
Therefore, understanding these factors can help you maximize your APS score and increase your chances of getting accepted into the university course of your choice.
How to calculate your APS score
The APS calculation formula is a system used by universities to determine the acceptability of students for specific courses. It is based on the final results of your high school subjects.
Step 1: Assign Points to Each Subject
Each subject you took in high school is assigned a certain number of points based on the grade you achieved. The points are allocated as follows:
Step 2: Add the Points Together
Once you have assigned points to each of your subjects, add them together to get your total APS Score. This score is the sum of the points for all your subjects. For example, if you took 6 subjects and scored 7 points in each, your APS Score would be 42 (6 subjects x 7 points). APS Score & Bachelor’s Degree Pass
A Bachelor’s Degree Pass represents the pinnacle of Matric achievement, typically attained by students with numerous distinctions. The prerequisites for obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree Pass are:
Pass 6 with 50% and above out of 7 total subjects. However, for you to be admitted at the university to study any bachelor’s degree you need 36 – 42 points.
APS Score & Diploma Pass
Learners who receive a Diploma pass can gain provisional admission to a University of Technology and sometimes can be granted a bridging course that enables them to study for the bachelor’s degree. The criteria for attaining a Diploma Pass are as follows:
APS Score & Higher Certificate Pass
A Higher Certificate Pass enables students to enrol at colleges or distance learning institutions, and also Tvet colleges which are equivalent to university. The requirements for this certification include:
APS Score & National Senior Certificate Pass
Learners who only pass with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) will not be selected to study at a university. The prerequisites for obtaining a National Senior Certificate Pass are as follows: Pass in at least 3 subjects with a minimum score of 40%. One of these subjects must be an official Home Language. Pass in at least 2 subjects with a minimum score of 30%. One of these subjects must be a First Additional Language or Home Language. Allowance for failing 1 subject even your First Additional Language – but you must then get 30% or more for the other 6 subjects, making a total of 6 passes. With an average of 33⅓% for all subjects, you will be awarded an NSC but it will not enable you to study at any university.
Step 3: Compare Your Score with University Requirements
After calculating your APS Score, compare it with the minimum APS Score required for admission to your desired course at the university you wish to attend. Each university and course has its own APS Score requirement, so it's important to research this information in advance.While the APS Score is a significant factor in university admissions, it's not the only one. Universities also consider other factors such as your National Benchmark Test (NBT) results and extracurricular activities. Therefore, it's important to focus on all aspects of your application to increase your chances of admission.
What Is The Highest APS You Can Get?
The highest achievable APS is 42, considering that Life Orientation is excluded from the calculation, leaving six subjects to determine the score, with each subject capable of earning a maximum of 7 points (6 x 7 = 42).
How to improve Your APS Score
So, how can you improve your APS Score? Remember, every point counts! Here are four quick tips to help with improving your APS score:
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