Gradebook
South Africa NSC Rating Codes 1–7
South Africa's National Senior Certificate (NSC) maps percentage marks to a seven-band rating code scale. Code 7 (Outstanding, 80-100%) is the highest; Code 1 (Not Achieved, 0-29%) earns no Admission Points Score. Code 3 (Moderate, 40-49%) is the minimum for most Diploma pass requirements; Code 4 (Adequate, 50-59%) for most Bachelor's pass subject minimums. This page explains the full scale, the minimum codes for each pass category, and how OpenEduCat automates the NSC grading workflow.
NSC Rating Codes 1–7: Full Scale
DBE-defined mapping of percentage marks to rating codes, descriptors, and Admission Points Score (APS) values.
| Rating Code | Descriptor | Percentage Range | APS Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Outstanding Achievement | 80–100% | 7 | Required for admission to highly competitive programmes (medicine, law, engineering) at SA universities. |
| 6 | Meritorious Achievement | 70–79% | 6 | Strong performance. Sufficient for most university programmes requiring a Bachelor's pass. |
| 5 | Substantial Achievement | 60–69% | 5 | Solid pass. Bachelor's pass threshold for many subjects is Level 4 or 5. |
| 4 | Adequate Achievement | 50–59% | 4 | Many university entry requirements specify Level 4 (≥50%) for specific subjects. |
| 3 | Moderate Achievement | 40–49% | 3 | Eligible for Diploma pass (if specific subject minimums met). Below Bachelor's pass threshold. |
| 2 | Elementary Achievement | 30–39% | 2 | Eligible for Higher Certificate pass (if language and mathematics minimums met). |
| 1 | Not Achieved | 0–29% | 0 | Below pass threshold. APS = 0. Subject must be retaken. |
Source: Department of Basic Education (DBE) South Africa — National Senior Certificate Policy. APS values are used in university admission calculations.
Minimum Rating Codes for NSC Pass Categories
The DBE defines three pass categories — Bachelor's, Diploma, and Higher Certificate — each with different minimum rating codes per subject group.
Bachelor's Pass
- Home Language
- Level 4 (≥40%)
- Mathematics
- Level 3 or Maths Literacy Level 3
- Other subjects
- 4 subjects at Level 3 (≥30%)
- Minimum APS
- Varies by institution (typically ≥20)
Minimum for degree programmes at SA universities.
Diploma Pass
- Home Language
- Level 4 (≥40%)
- Mathematics
- Level 3 or Maths Literacy Level 3
- Other subjects
- 3 subjects at Level 3 (≥30%)
- Minimum APS
- Typically ≥15
Minimum for diploma programmes at universities of technology.
Higher Certificate Pass
- Home Language
- Level 3 (≥30%)
- Mathematics
- Level 2 or Maths Literacy Level 2
- Other subjects
- 3 subjects at Level 2 (≥30%)
- Minimum APS
- Typically ≥15
Minimum for certificate-level qualifications.
How OpenEduCat Evaluates the Pass Matrix
OpenEduCat evaluates each student against all three pass categories simultaneously. It identifies the highest pass category the student qualifies for — Bachelor's, Diploma, Higher Certificate, or NSC Certificate only — and displays this on the student record in real time as marks are entered. The system also flags which specific subject requirements are not yet met, allowing teachers to identify areas of concern before the final examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NSC rating codes and South African matric grading.
Automate NSC grading and APS for South African schools
Rating codes 1-7, APS calculation, 25/75 SBA/exam split, and Bachelor's/Diploma pass matrix — pre-configured for DBE policy in OpenEduCat.