How to Check Matric Results via SMS or Online (2026/2027)

Key Takeaways:

• The SMS Pre-Registration Method: You can register early by sending your 13-digit ID number and Exam Number to 35658. The system will automatically text your results the moment the official embargo lifts.
• The USSD Code Shortcut:If you do not have airtime or mobile data, you can dial *120*35658# on any basic feature phone to view your results instantly.
• The DBE Portal Crashes: The official Department of Basic Education (DBE) website frequently crashes due to millions of concurrent users. Having the SMS or USSD backup is critical.
• The Physical Document is Mandatory: Your online result or SMS is a provisional summary. You are still legally required to visit your high school to collect your official, watermarked Statement of Results.
• Part-Time Candidates: If you wrote the May/June rewrite or are a part-time candidate, your results might not appear on the national digital portal. You must collect them directly from your examination centre.

For hundreds of thousands of South African high schoolers, the wait for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) matric results is the most anxiety-inducing period of their academic lives. The release of these results dictates university admissions, bursary allocations, and immediate career prospects.

Historically, matriculants had to wait until the early hours of the morning to buy a printed newspaper or queue outside their high school gates. However, for the 2026/2027 academic cycle, the Department of Basic Education (DBE), in partnership with SABC Education and various digital platforms, has completely digitized the delivery process.

If you want to bypass the server crashes and get your marks instantly, you must understand how the digital systems operate. This comprehensive guide breaks down the exact SMS codes, USSD prompts, mobile applications, and official online portals you need to access your Grade 12 results the moment they go live.

1. How to Check Matric Results via SMS (The 35658 System)

The most popular and reliable method for receiving your matric results is the official SMS system run in partnership with SABC Education. Because internet servers often crash under the weight of a million students logging on simultaneously, an SMS bypasses the web traffic completely.

The best strategy is to pre-register a few days before the results are officially announced.

The Step-by-Step SMS Registration Process

1.Open Your SMS App:

Open the standard messaging application on your smartphone or feature phone. Ensure you have at least R1.50 in premium airtime (promotional SMS bundles generally do not work for premium shortcodes).

2.Draft the Message:

Type your 13-digit South African ID number, followed by a space, and then type your official Examination Number. Double-check these numbers; a single typo will result in a registration failure.

3.Send to the Shortcode:

Send the drafted message to the official shortcode: 35658.

4.Wait for Confirmation:

Within a few minutes, you will receive an automated response confirming that your registration was successful. If you receive an error message, verify your exam number and try again.

5.Receive Your Results:

On the official day of the results release, the automated system will push an SMS containing your subject symbols and pass endorsement directly to your phone as soon as the embargo is lifted.

Cost Warning: Every SMS sent to this number is charged at R1.50. Free SMS bundles do not apply.

2. How to Check Results via USSD Code (No Internet Required)

If your smartphone battery is dead, or you do not have mobile data, the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) method is your ultimate backup. USSD works on any basic feature phone (“skorokoro”) and communicates directly with the cellular network towers.

The USSD Code: *120*35658#

How to Use the USSD Service:

1. Open your phone’s dialer.
2. Type *120*35658# and press the call button.
3. A menu will pop up on your screen. You will be prompted to enter your ID number and your Examination Number.
4. Once entered, your results will display directly on the screen in a text format.

Cost Warning: Using the USSD service is not free. It is charged at standard network rates (usually around 20 cents per 20 seconds). Ensure you have a small airtime balance before dialing.

3. How to Check Matric Results Online (The Official DBE Portal)

If you prefer to see your results laid out in a clear, digital table, the Department of Basic Education provides an official web portal.

However, you must be warned: The DBE website frequently crashes at midnight on release day. With over 700,000 students, plus their parents and teachers, all refreshing the page simultaneously, the servers routinely time out. If you choose this route, it is often best to wait until 06:00 AM when the traffic slightly subsides.

Steps for the DBE Website:

1. Navigate to the official government portal: www.education.gov.za.
2. Click on the large banner on the homepage that says “NSC Exam Results”.
3. You will be directed to a secure login page. You must enter your Examination Number.
4. You may be asked to verify personal details (such as your ID number or date of birth) to prove your identity.
5. Click “Search”. Your results, including your subject percentages and your statutory pass level, will load on the screen.

The News24 Alternative:

Because the DBE website struggles with traffic, major South African news outlets often mirror the database. Websites like News24 host dedicated matric result portals. You simply type in your exam number on their site, and your results will display. (Note: News24 portals usually only require your exam number and do not display your personal name for privacy reasons).

4. Checking Results via Mobile Apps (MatricsMate & DBE App)

For the 2026/2027 cycle, accessing results via native mobile applications has become increasingly streamlined.

The MatricsMate App

Developed in partnership with SABC Education, the MatricsMate app is explicitly designed to deliver results securely.

• Availability:Downloadable for free from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
• Process: Once downloaded, you register a profile using your ID and Exam Number. The app will send you a push notification the second your results are officially available, completely bypassing SMS fees and website crashes.

The Official DBE App

The Department of Basic Education also manages its own app. It functions similarly to the web portal but is optimized for mobile data efficiency. You will need a stable internet connection to log in and retrieve your statement.

5. Independent Schools: Checking IEB Matric Results

If you attended a private school or an independent assessment centre, you did not write the DBE exams; you wrote the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exams.

IEB candidates cannot use the DBE website or the 35658 SMS code.

Historically, the IEB releases its results 24 to 48 hours before the public schools.

• Online: IEB students must navigate to the official portal at www.ieb-online.co.za. You will log in using your IEB Examination Number and your Date of Birth.
• SMS: The IEB manages its own unique SMS shortcode (which changes annually, so consult your school principal prior to release day).

6. Why You Still Need to Fetch Your Physical Statement of Results

A common mistake matriculants make is assuming that a screenshot of their SMS or the DBE web portal is sufficient for university registration. It is not.

The digital result you receive on your phone is classified as a provisional summary. It carries no legal weight. Universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, and corporate employers will not accept a screenshot as proof of your qualification.

The Physical Requirement:

Starting from the day the results are announced, you are legally required to go to the physical school or examination centre where you wrote your final papers. There, the administration office will hand you your official Statement of Results.

This document is printed on specialized paper, bears the stamp of the Department of Basic Education, and contains the watermarks required for statutory verification. You will need to take this physical document to a police station to get certified copies made before submitting any tertiary applications.

7. Troubleshooting: Why Are My Results Withheld?

Occasionally, a student will type in their correct ID and exam number, only to receive a devastating message: “Results Withheld” or “Pending”.

If this happens, you must physically visit your high school immediately. Results are typically withheld for one of three reasons:

1. Administrative Block: You failed to return your government-issued textbooks at the end of the year, or you have outstanding school fee debt. The school will release your results the moment the debt is settled or the books are returned.
2. Technical Errors:A marker may have failed to capture the score for one of your subjects, rendering your entire profile “incomplete” until the error is rectified.
3. Irregularities: You were flagged for a severe examination irregularity, such as bringing a cell phone into the venue, plagiarism, or suspected cheating. In this case, your results are withheld pending an official Umalusi tribunal investigation.

8. Decoding Your Results: Pass Levels and APS Scores

When you receive your results, you will see a list of your subjects, the percentage you achieved in each, and an overall statutory pass endorsement.

Understanding your pass endorsement is critical, as it dictates what level of higher education you are legally permitted to enter:

• Bachelor’s Pass: Allows you to apply for a 3- or 4-year degree at a university. Requires at least 50% in four core subjects and 40% in your Home Language.
• Diploma Pass: Allows you to apply for a National Diploma at a University of Technology or TVET college. Requires at least 40% in four subjects.
• Higher Certificate Pass: Allows you to apply for a 1-year bridging certificate. Requires 40% in your Home Language and 40% in two other subjects.

The APS Reality:

However, achieving a “Bachelor’s Pass” does not guarantee you a seat in a university lecture hall. Universities rank students using an Admission Point Score (APS).

Do not rely on the “Total APS” printed at the bottom of some school reports, as they often incorrectly include Life Orientation. To know exactly where you stand in the university admissions queue, you must calculate your true baseline score. Read our detailed guide on How to Calculate Matric Finals Admission Requirements to ensure you are targeting degrees you actually qualify for.

9. Next Steps: Re-Marks and Matric Rewrites

If your results drop below the threshold required for your dream career, or if you failed a critical subject like Pure Mathematics, your academic journey is not over. The DBE provides structured safety nets.

• Re-Marking: If you missed a higher symbol by only 1% or 2%, you can apply for an official re-mark. You have approximately 21 days from the release of results to apply at your school or district office. The fee is generally around R120 per subject.
• The Second Chance Matric Programme:If you failed outright, you can register for the May/June examination cycle to rewrite the specific subjects that dragged your average down.

If you are facing a poor set of results and feel overwhelmed, do not panic. We highly recommend reading our comprehensive breakdown of What Happens If You Fail Matric in South Africa? to explore all your immediate recovery options, including TVET colleges and alternative vocational routes.

Conclusion: Prepare Your Credentials Early

The moments leading up to the release of the matric results are highly stressful. The best way to mitigate that stress is through preparation. Save the 35658 SMS shortcode in your phone, ensure you have R1.50 airtime loaded, and write your 13-digit ID number and Exam Number down on a piece of paper so you do not make a typing error when your hands are shaking. Whether you use the USSD method, the SABC app, or the DBE online portal, knowing how to navigate the digital infrastructure ensures you will have your results exactly when you need them.

Disclaimer: APSpoint is an independent educational publisher. We are not affiliated with the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), Umalusi, or SABC Education. SMS shortcodes, USSD codes, network tariff charges, and web portal URLs are subject to change based on official government announcements. Always verify the current reporting codes with your school principal or through the official DBE website (www.education.gov.za) prior to the release date.