APS Calculator - Admission Point Score Calculator
Calculate your Admission Point Score (APS) instantly! Determine your eligibility for South African universities using your matric results or international qualifications. Our comprehensive calculator supports NSC, IB, Cambridge, and other international systems.
📊 Calculate Your APS Score
Note: The conversion tables for these qualifications follow the same scale as Cambridge qualifications. For detailed conversion information, please refer to the official university documentation or contact the admissions office.
🎓 Program Eligibility
📋 APS Conversion Table
| Percentage Range | Achievement Level | APS Points | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80% - 100% | Level 7 | 7 | A (Outstanding) |
| 70% - 79% | Level 6 | 6 | B (Meritorious) |
| 60% - 69% | Level 5 | 5 | C (Substantial) |
| 50% - 59% | Level 4 | 4 | D (Adequate) |
| 40% - 49% | Level 3 | 3 | E (Moderate) |
| 30% - 39% | Level 2 | 2 | F (Elementary) |
| 0% - 29% | Level 1 | 1 | G (Not Achieved) |
🎯 Minimum APS Requirements by Program
Medicine & Dentistry
- Mathematics: 70%+
- Physical Science: 70%+
- Life Science: 70%+
- English: 60%+
Engineering
- Mathematics: 70%+
- Physical Science: 70%+
- English: 60%+
Actuarial Science
- Mathematics: 80%+
- English: 60%+
Pharmacy
- Mathematics: 60%+
- Physical Science: 60%+
- English: 50%+
Law (LLB)
- English: 60%+
- Good performance in humanities
Accounting
- Mathematics: 60%+
- English: 50%+
- Accounting: Recommended
Computer Science
- Mathematics: 60%+
- English: 50%+
Architecture
- Mathematics: 60%+
- English: 50%+
Business & Commerce
- Mathematics or Math Lit: 50%+
- English: 50%+
Health Sciences
- Mathematics or Math Lit: 50%+
- Life Science: 50%+
- English: 50%+
Natural Sciences
- Mathematics: 60%+
- Physical Science: 50%+
- English: 50%+
Social Sciences
- English: 50%+
- Mathematics or Math Lit: 40%+
Arts & Humanities
- English: 50%+
- Good humanities subjects
Agricultural Sciences
- Mathematics: 50%+
- Life or Physical Science: 50%+
Education
- English: 50%+
- Mathematics or Math Lit: 50%+
Extended Degree Programs
- Foundational year included
- Additional support provided
Diploma Programs
- English: 40%+
- Four subjects at 40%+
General Degree
- Minimum bachelor's pass
- Four subjects at 50%+
📝 How to Calculate Your APS Score
Select your six highest-performing subjects from your matric results. Remember:
- Life Orientation is excluded from APS calculations
- Only 20-credit subjects count (standard matric subjects)
- You must include subjects required for your chosen program
- English (Home Language or First Additional Language) is usually required
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy is usually required
Example subjects: Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Science, English, Accounting, Geography
Use the APS conversion table to convert each subject percentage to points:
- 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
Example: If you scored 72% in Mathematics, you get 6 points for that subject.
Calculate the total by adding points from all 6 subjects.
Example Calculation:
- Mathematics: 72% → 6 points
- Physical Science: 65% → 5 points
- Life Science: 78% → 6 points
- English Home Language: 69% → 5 points
- Accounting: 74% → 6 points
- Geography: 55% → 4 points
Total APS = 6 + 5 + 6 + 5 + 6 + 4 = 32 points
Check if your APS meets the minimum requirements for your chosen program.
Using the example above with 32 APS points, this student qualifies for:
- ✅ Engineering (requires 31+ points)
- ✅ Law (requires 30+ points)
- ✅ Accounting (requires 30+ points)
- ✅ Computer Science (requires 30+ points)
- ❌ Medicine (requires 35+ points) - Would need higher marks
🌍 Converting International Qualifications to APS
IB Diploma students can convert their grades directly to APS points:
| IB Grade (HL/SL) | APS Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | Excellent |
| 6 | 6 | Very Good |
| 5 | 5 | Good |
| 4 | 4 | Satisfactory (Pass) |
| 3 | 3 | Mediocre |
| 2 | 2 | Poor |
| 1 | 1 | Very Poor |
Note: Both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) subjects use the same conversion scale. To qualify for the IB Diploma, you need a minimum of 24 points across 6 subjects.
Cambridge qualifications convert as follows:
A-Level Grades
| A-Level Grade | APS Points | Percentage Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| A* | 7 | 90%+ |
| A | 6 | 80-89% |
| B | 5 | 70-79% |
| C | 4 | 60-69% |
| D | 3 | 50-59% |
| E | 2 | 40-49% |
AS-Level & IGCSE/O-Level Grades
| AS/IGCSE Grade | APS Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A* | 7 | IGCSE only |
| A | 6 | AS & IGCSE |
| B | 5 | AS & IGCSE |
| C | 4 | AS & IGCSE |
| D | 3 | AS & IGCSE |
| E | 2 | AS & IGCSE |
Regional qualifications from neighboring countries:
Accepted Qualifications Include:
- Namibian NSSC (Higher Level & Ordinary Level)
- Botswana BGCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
- Zimbabwe ZIMSEC (O-Level & A-Level)
- Lesotho LGCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
- Eswatini SGCSE (Swaziland General Certificate)
Conversion Process: These qualifications generally follow similar grade structures to Cambridge qualifications. The conversion tables provided by universities map grades to the South African APS system.
US High School Diploma holders need additional test scores:
Requirements for Admission:
- High School Diploma from an accredited institution
- GPA: Minimum 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
- SAT Scores:
- Evidence-based Reading & Writing: 610+
- Mathematics: 530+
- Total Score: 1130+
- OR ACT Scores: Mean of 22 (English: 22, Math: 21)
- OR AP Exams: Pass 2+ subjects with grade 3, 4, or 5
Conversion to APS: The combination of your GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and AP results is evaluated by the university to determine an equivalent APS score. Direct conversion is not available; each application is assessed individually.
🎓 Bachelor's Pass Requirements
✅ Bachelor's Degree Pass
Minimum Requirements:
- 40%+ in Home Language
- 50%+ in FOUR 20-credit subjects
- 30%+ in TWO other subjects
- Life Orientation: 40%+ (not in APS)
Minimum APS: 23 points
📜 Diploma Pass
Minimum Requirements:
- 40%+ in Home Language
- 40%+ in FOUR 20-credit subjects
- 30%+ in TWO other subjects
- Life Orientation: 40%+ (not in APS)
Minimum APS: 19 points
📝 Higher Certificate Pass
Minimum Requirements:
- 40%+ in Home Language
- 40%+ in TWO other subjects
- 30%+ in THREE other subjects
- Life Orientation: 40%+ (not in APS)
Lower APS requirements
- Meeting minimum requirements does NOT guarantee admission
- Competitive programs require much higher APS scores
- Subject-specific requirements must also be met
- Limited spaces available at most universities
- Some faculties have additional selection processes
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
APS stands for Admission Point Score. It's a standardized numerical system used by South African universities to evaluate students' academic performance for university admission. Your APS is calculated by converting your final matric (Grade 12) subject percentages into points, with each subject worth 1-7 points depending on your percentage.
The APS provides a fair and consistent way for universities to compare applicants and determine eligibility for different programs.
APS calculation involves three simple steps:
- Select your best 6 subjects (excluding Life Orientation)
- Convert each percentage to points:
- 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
- Add up all 6 points to get your total APS
Maximum possible APS = 42 points (6 subjects × 7 points)
No, Life Orientation is NOT included in APS calculations at most South African universities, including:
- North-West University (NWU)
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of Pretoria (UP)
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Most other institutions
However: You still need to pass Life Orientation with at least 40% to obtain your NSC. Some universities may consider high Life Orientation marks (60%+) for borderline admission cases.
What's considered "good" depends on your goals:
- 18-22 points: Qualifies for diploma programs and higher certificates
- 23-25 points: Qualifies for general bachelor's degrees (minimum requirement)
- 26-29 points: Qualifies for most bachelor's programs, including education, arts, humanities
- 30-34 points: Qualifies for competitive programs like law, accounting, architecture, computer science
- 35-42 points: Qualifies for highly competitive programs like medicine, dentistry, actuarial science
Pro Tip: Aim for 30+ points to have a wide range of program options and increase your chances of admission to competitive fields.
Your APS includes your best 6 subjects from:
- All 20-credit NSC subjects (standard matric subjects)
- One must be a Home Language or First Additional Language
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy (usually required)
- Any other elective subjects you took
Excluded from APS:
- Life Orientation (10-credit subject)
- Any subject with less than 20 credits
Important: Your chosen program may require specific subjects. For example, Engineering requires Mathematics and Physical Science. Always check program-specific requirements!
Yes! South African universities accept various international qualifications:
- International Baccalaureate (IB) - Direct grade conversion
- Cambridge A-Level, AS-Level, IGCSE - Grade conversion tables available
- Namibian NSSC
- Botswana BGCSE
- Zimbabwe ZIMSEC
- Other African qualifications
- American High School Diploma (with SAT/ACT scores)
Each qualification has specific conversion tables to calculate an equivalent APS score.
Exemption Certificate Required: Most international students must apply to the Matriculation Board (Universities South Africa) for an exemption certificate. Visit mb.usaf.ac.za for details.
Don't worry! You have several options:
- Extended Degree Programs: Many universities offer extended programs with lower APS requirements (typically 21-23 points). These include a foundation year for extra support.
- Diploma Programs: Start with a diploma (19+ APS) and upgrade to a degree later.
- Matric Rewrite/Upgrade: Improve your marks by rewriting specific subjects to boost your APS.
- Alternative Programs: Explore similar programs at different universities with lower requirements.
- Foundation/Bridging Programs: Some universities offer preparatory programs.
- TVET Colleges: Consider technical and vocational education pathways.
Remember: Your matric results don't define your future. Many successful people started with diplomas or upgraded their qualifications later!
Most universities use similar methods, but there are variations:
Standard Method (NWU, UP, UJ, UKZN):
- Best 6 subjects (excluding Life Orientation)
- 7-point scale (1-7 points per subject)
- Maximum 42 points
UCT (Unique System):
- Uses actual percentages (not converted to 7-point scale)
- Example: 82% = 82 points
- Maximum 600 points
Wits (Modified System):
- Weights Mathematics and English more heavily
- May include Life Orientation (with lower weight)
Stellenbosch:
- Does not use the APS system
- Uses specific subject requirements and percentages
Always check: Visit your chosen university's website to confirm their specific APS calculation method and program requirements.
Calculate your APS at these key times:
- End of Grade 11: Get a provisional APS to guide your subject choices and study focus for Grade 12
- Mid-Year Grade 12: Calculate based on mid-year results to see if you're on track
- Before University Applications: Most applications open in March-April using Grade 11 final results
- After Final Matric Results: Calculate your final APS to confirm eligibility and finalize applications
Application Tip: Apply to universities early (March-August) using your Grade 11 results. You'll receive conditional acceptance, which becomes final when you submit your matric results.
Absolutely! You can improve your APS through:
1. Matric Rewrite (February/March):
- Rewrite specific subjects in the supplementary exam
- Only for students who failed or want to improve marks
- Results available in April/May
2. Matric Upgrade (Full Year):
- Re-register for specific subjects through IEB, SACAI, or other providers
- Study throughout the year
- Write final exams in October/November
- Can improve multiple subjects
- Can add new subjects
3. Alternative Pathways:
- Complete a Higher Certificate or Diploma first
- Transfer to a degree program after demonstrating good performance
Success Story: Many students successfully upgrade their matric to gain access to their dream programs. It's never too late to improve your APS!
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📖 Official Resources
🎓 University Admissions
- • Check individual university websites
- • Review program-specific requirements
- • Apply early (March-September)
- • Prepare supporting documents
💰 Financial Aid
- 🔗 NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid)
- • University bursaries and scholarships
- • Private sector bursaries
- • Student loans
🔍 Career Guidance
- • Explore career options
- • Take aptitude tests
- • Research job markets
- • Consult career counselors
💡 Tips for Maximizing Your APS Score
Strategic Advice for Students
- Choose subjects wisely: Select subjects you're good at and that are required for your desired programs
- Focus on 6 key subjects: Since only your best 6 count, prioritize these over Life Orientation
- Aim for 60%+ in all subjects: This gives you 5+ points per subject (30+ total APS)
- Don't neglect "easy" subjects: A high mark in any subject contributes equally to your APS
- Get help early: If you're struggling in a subject, seek tutoring or extra classes immediately
- Practice past papers: Familiarize yourself with exam formats and time management
- Balance your study time: Allocate time based on which subjects need the most improvement
- Stay informed: Keep checking university requirements as they can change annually
For Parents & Guardians
- Monitor progress: Track your child's performance throughout Grade 11 and 12
- Research together: Help explore university programs and their APS requirements
- Plan financially: Start exploring bursaries, scholarships, and financial aid options early
- Provide support: Create a conducive study environment and emotional support
- Consider alternatives: Discuss backup plans if APS doesn't meet initial goals
- Stay positive: Remember that multiple pathways lead to success
Ready to Calculate Your APS Score?
Use our calculator above to determine your admission eligibility instantly!
Your future starts with understanding where you stand today. Calculate your APS, explore your options, and take the first step toward your dream career.