To calculate your APS, convert the percentage for each of your six best matric subjects into points on a seven-point scale, then add those points together. A mark of 80 to 100 percent scores 7 points, down to 1 point for 0 to 29 percent, and the maximum total is 42. Life Orientation is left out of the standard calculation. Your APS tells a university whether you meet the minimum score for a course, but each institution sets its own required APS per programme, and some universities use their own scoring scale entirely. CourseMatchFundiConnect
The standard APS conversion scale
Most South African universities use the National Senior Certificate seven-point scale below. Match each subject percentage to its points value.
| Matric percentage | Achievement 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 |
How to work out your score, step by step
- List your matric subjects with their final percentages. You take at least seven subjects, but only your best six count for the standard APS.
- Leave out Life Orientation. Most universities exclude it, though a few count it in a limited way, so check your target university’s rule.
- Convert each of your six counting subjects to points using the table above.
- Add the six points values together. That total, out of a maximum of 42, is your APS.
- Compare your APS to the minimum for the course you want, and check the subject-specific requirements as well.
For example, a learner with 75 percent for English (6), 65 percent for Maths (5), 62 percent for Life Sciences (5), 58 percent for Geography (4), 55 percent for Physical Sciences (4) and 52 percent for Afrikaans (4) has an APS of 28.
Why your APS differs from one university to the next
The 42-point scale is the common standard, but it is not universal. Some universities run their own systems, so the same matric results can produce different scores at different institutions. Check each university’s official method rather than assuming one number works everywhere. Where a university publishes its own calculator or scale, that published figure is the one that counts for admission there.
Subject requirements matter as much as the total. Many programmes demand a minimum percentage in specific subjects regardless of your overall APS. Engineering and health sciences typically require set marks in Mathematics and Physical Sciences, and a strong APS does not override a missed subject minimum.
APS is not the only requirement
Meeting the APS is the starting line, not the finish. Some programmes and universities also require the National Benchmark Tests, which assess academic and quantitative literacy and are booked separately. Selection programmes such as medicine also weigh portfolios, interviews or additional ranking on top of your APS, which is why they close months before general programmes.
Your pass type matters too. A bachelor’s degree pass, a diploma pass and a higher certificate pass open different doors, and a course that requires degree-level entry will not admit a diploma pass no matter the APS.
Common problems and what they mean
If your calculated APS looks too low for your target course, first confirm you used the right university’s scale, then check whether you can improve a subject through a supplementary or rewrite exam before results are finalised.
If you meet the APS but were still not accepted, the usual reason is a subject requirement you missed, a competitive programme that admits above its published minimum, or a late application that arrived after places filled. The published APS is a minimum, and competitive courses often admit well above it.
If you are applying with Grade 11 results for a provisional offer, remember the offer is conditional. It is confirmed only once your final matric results are released, so a drop in your final marks can withdraw the place.
FAQ
How do I calculate my APS score?
Convert your best six matric subject percentages to points on the seven-point scale, then add them. The total out of 42 is your APS. Life Orientation is usually excluded.
Does Life Orientation count towards APS?
At most universities, no. A few include it in a limited way, so confirm the rule at your chosen university.
What is a good APS score?
It depends entirely on the course. Competitive degrees such as medicine and engineering often need scores in the mid to high 30s, while many diplomas accept the low 20s. Check the minimum for your specific programme.
How many subjects count for APS?
Your best six, excluding Life Orientation in the standard calculation, for a maximum of 42 points.
Can I get into university with a low APS?
Possibly, through a diploma, a higher certificate, an extended degree programme, a TVET college route, or a university with its own scale. A low APS narrows options rather than closing them.
Do all universities calculate APS the same way?
No. The 42-point scale is the common standard, but several universities use their own systems, so calculate your score for each institution separately.
What to watch
Application windows for the 2027 intake are closing now, with many general undergraduate deadlines falling on 30 September 2026 and several health sciences and selection programmes already closed. The next fixed point is the release of the 2026 matric results in January 2027, which converts every provisional offer into a firm one or withdraws it. NSFAS applications for 2027 are expected to open around September 2026.
