Understanding your NSC examination better

Thursday, November 26, will be the conclusion of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) 2015 final examination since its commencement on October 26.

According to Department of Basic Education website, pupils who are writing NSC final exams are those that registered to write.

“All subjects to be written, including those from approved assessment bodies must be registered.”

As it is known, the results will be released on January 5, 2016 and individual learner results will be available from January 6 (the next day).

The Department of Basic Education indicates that there is a second chance for NSC candidates who have failed the final examination.

A supplementary examination may be granted under to an unsuccessful NSC candidate if the candidate has:

1. a)    failed a maximum of two subjects;
2. b)    is medically unfit;
3. c)     did not satisfy Higher Education admission requirements; or
4. d)    has personal problems such as a death in the immediate family.

(https://www.education.gov.za/Examinations/tabid/338/Default.aspx)

For pupils who perhaps don’t understand the qualifications offered by the Universities South Africa (Higher Education South Africa), it makes provision for three different qualifications namely Higher Certificate, Diplomas and Bachelor’s Degrees.

The difference between the three is;

Higher Certificate

For admission to a Higher Certificate, a candidate must obtain a NSC, which is a pass of 40 percent in three subjects, one of which is an official language at Home Language level, and a pass of 30 percent in three subjects.

Diploma

The minimum entrance requirements for Diploma study is a NSC with an achievement rating of three (Moderate Achievement, 40-49 percent) or better in four recognised NSC subjects.

Bachelor’s Degree

To meet the minimum admission requirements to a Bachelor’s Degree study at a higher education institution, a candidate must obtain, apart from a NSC, an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement, 50-59 percent) or better in four designated subjects.

For more information please visit www.education.gov.za

@ThembaVukeya