South Africa
NSC achievement levels
National Senior Certificate (matric) subject results
| Level | Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 80 to 100 | Outstanding |
| 6 | 70 to 79 | Meritorious |
| 5 | 60 to 69 | Substantial |
| 4 | 50 to 59 | Adequate |
| 3 | 40 to 49 | Moderate |
| 2 | 30 to 39 | Elementary |
| 1 | 0 to 29 | Not achieved |
The bands are printed in whole percentages.
Checked against the sources on 4 November 2026. Rules can change, so your board or university has the final word.
Source: Nuffic: Grading and study results (South Africa) (opened 4 November 2026); University of South Africa (Unisa): FAQs (Undergraduate qualifications) (opened 4 November 2026); University of Johannesburg (UJ): How to determine your Admission Point Score (APS), Undergraduate Prospectus 2022, page 15 (opened 4 November 2026)
Free chart from GradeCat. Calculators and the full scale: gradecat.com/za/grading-scale/
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