Key Takeaways: What Is an APS Score?
- The Definition: APS stands for Admission Point Score. It is a standardized numerical system used by South African universities to convert your high school percentages into points for admission evaluation.
- The Standard Scale: The universally recognized APS scale runs from 1 to 7. Scoring between 0-29% earns you 1 point, while scoring 80-100% earns you a maximum of 7 points per subject.
- The “Best Six” Rule: The vast majority of universities calculate your total APS based on your six best National Senior Certificate (NSC) subjects.
- The Life Orientation Factor: Because Life Orientation is a 10-credit subject, most universities strictly exclude it from your total APS calculation.
- Subject Prerequisites: Meeting a degree’s minimum total APS is not enough. You must also meet the specific minimum point requirements for core subjects (like Mathematics or Physical Sciences) to be accepted.
- Institutional Variations: Not all universities calculate APS the same way. For example, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) calculates APS using seven subjects (including Life Orientation) and awards bonus points for high marks in English and Core Mathematics. The University of Cape Town (UCT) uses a completely different Faculty Points Score (FPS) system.
If you are a high school student in South Africa preparing for tertiary education, you have likely heard teachers and career counselors constantly mention your “APS.” But what is an APS score, and why does it carry so much weight when applying for a degree?
Every year, South African universities receive hundreds of thousands of applications for a strictly limited number of first-year seats. Reviewing raw percentage marks from different examination boards—such as the National Senior Certificate (NSC) and the Independent Examinations Board (IEB)—can be a logistical nightmare for admissions committees. To streamline this process and create a fair, objective baseline for all applicants, universities rely on the Admission Point Score system.
Your APS is the ultimate gatekeeper to your university career. It dictates whether you can study Medicine at a top-tier medical school, whether you qualify for an Engineering degree, or whether you need to consider an extended bridging programme. Understanding how this score is calculated allows you to strategically choose your high school subjects, set realistic academic goals, and apply to faculties where you have the highest probability of acceptance.
This comprehensive guide strips away the confusion surrounding the APS. We will break down exactly how the standard scale works, how to calculate your own score, why certain subjects are weighted differently, and how the calculation methods vary drastically across different South African universities.
Why the APS System Exists
To truly understand what an APS score is, it helps to understand the problem it solves. High school grading can sometimes be subjective, and looking at raw percentages (e.g., a student with 79% versus a student with 81%) can lead to microscopic, often unfair comparisons.
The APS system brackets percentages into achievement levels. This means a student who scores 81% and a student who scores 95% both receive a Level 7 (Outstanding Achievement) for that subject. This bracketed system acknowledges that once a student demonstrates mastery of a subject (by scoring 80% or above), the granular differences in their raw percentages are less relevant for predicting university success.
Furthermore, the APS system allows universities to set hard, non-negotiable thresholds. If a Bachelor of Commerce degree requires an APS of 32, the admissions software can automatically filter out any applicant who scores a 31 or below, ensuring that the admissions committee only reviews candidates who meet the baseline academic rigor required for that specific programme.
The Standard APS Conversion Scale
While some universities have unique quirks in how they add up your final score, almost all of them rely on the standard Department of Basic Education achievement levels to assign points to individual subjects.
For standard 20-credit NSC subjects (which includes languages, sciences, commerce, and humanities subjects), the conversion is straightforward.
The Standard Department of Basic Education APS Scale
| NSC Percentage Range | APS Points Allocated | Achievement Description |
| 80% – 100% | 7 Points | Outstanding Achievement |
| 70% – 79% | 6 Points | Meritorious Achievement |
| 60% – 69% | 5 Points | Substantial Achievement |
| 50% – 59% | 4 Points | Adequate Achievement |
| 40% – 49% | 3 Points | Moderate Achievement |
| 30% – 39% | 2 Points | Elementary Achievement |
| 0% – 29% | 1 Point | Not Achieved (Fail) |
If you achieve a score higher than 90%, you still receive 7 points. While a 95% might look fantastic on your academic transcript and could help you secure merit-based bursaries, it does not give you an APS of 8 or 9 on the standard scale. The ceiling for a single standard subject is always 7.
The “Best Six” Rule and the Life Orientation Dilemma
When calculating your total APS, most South African universities—including the University of Pretoria (UP), the University of Johannesburg (UJ), and Stellenbosch University—use what is known as the “Best Six” rule.
South African high school students are required to take a minimum of seven subjects to matriculate:
- Home Language
- First Additional Language
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
- Life Orientation (LO)
- Elective 1 (e.g., Physical Sciences)
- Elective 2 (e.g., Accounting)
- Elective 3 (e.g., Geography)
When you apply to a university that uses the standard Best Six rule, the admissions system will look at your marks, completely remove Life Orientation from the calculation, and add the points of your remaining six subjects together.
Why is Life Orientation Excluded?
Life Orientation is classified as a 10-credit subject, whereas all other NSC subjects are 20-credit subjects. Because LO is generally considered less academically rigorous and practically all students achieve high marks in it, universities do not view it as a reliable indicator of a student’s ability to survive a heavy university workload. Therefore, to ensure that the APS reflects true academic capability in core subjects, LO is discarded.
If a student takes an eighth subject (such as Advanced Programme Mathematics or Information Technology), the university will take the required languages, the required mathematics, and then select the student’s highest-scoring electives to make up the six subjects.
Subject-Specific Requirements vs. Total APS
A common and devastating mistake students make is assuming that a high total APS automatically grants them entry into their degree of choice.
Your total APS is just the first hurdle; the second hurdle is the subject-specific requirement. Different degrees demand proficiency in different areas.
For example, let us look at a hypothetical Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science, which requires a total APS of 32, an English score of 5, and a Mathematics score of 6.
- Student A has an APS of 38. However, they scored a Level 4 (55%) in Core Mathematics.
- Student B has an APS of 33. They scored a Level 6 (72%) in Core Mathematics.
Even though Student A has a significantly higher total APS (38 vs 33), Student A will be rejected immediately by the system because they failed to meet the Level 6 Mathematics prerequisite. Student B will be considered for admission.
When you calculate your APS, you must simultaneously cross-reference your individual subject levels with the specific faculty prospectus of the university you are applying to.
Institutional Differences: Not All APS Systems Are Equal
While the standard Best Six system is the most common, several top-tier universities have developed their own proprietary scoring systems to better differentiate between highly competitive applicants. You cannot use your University of Pretoria APS to apply to the University of the Witwatersrand.
Comparison of APS Systems Across Major Universities
| University | Subjects Counted | Life Orientation Policy | Unique Features & Bonus Points |
| University of Pretoria (UP) | Best 6 Subjects | Strictly Excluded (0 points) | Uses the standard 1-7 scale strictly. No bonus points. |
| University of Johannesburg (UJ) | Best 6 Subjects | Strictly Excluded (0 points) | Mathematical Literacy is scored differently for certain commerce/science degrees. |
| Wits University | Best 7 Subjects | Included (Capped at 4 pts) | Awards +2 bonus points if you score 60%+ in English and Core Mathematics. Max score exceeds 42. |
| University of Cape Town (UCT) | Best 6 Subjects | Strictly Excluded (0 points) | Does not use APS. Uses Faculty Points Score (FPS) out of 600 based on exact percentages. |
| University of Free State (UFS) | Best 6 Subjects | Included (Only 1 point) | Adds exactly 1 point to your total score if you achieve 60% or higher in LO. |
Step-by-Step: How to Calculate Your APS
To ensure you know exactly where you stand, let us calculate the APS for a hypothetical student using both the standard method (for UP/UJ) and the Wits method.
The Student’s Final Grade 11 Marks:
- English Home Language: 76%
- Afrikaans First Additional Language: 68%
- Core Mathematics: 82%
- Physical Sciences: 71%
- Accounting: 88%
- Geography: 61%
- Life Orientation: 90%
Calculation 1: The Standard “Best Six” Method (UP / UJ)
- English: 76% = Level 6
- Afrikaans: 68% = Level 5
- Mathematics: 82% = Level 7
- Physical Sciences: 71% = Level 6
- Accounting: 88% = Level 7
- Geography: 61% = Level 5
- Life Orientation: 90% = (Excluded completely)
Total Standard APS = 6 + 5 + 7 + 6 + 7 + 5 = 36 Points.
Calculation 2: The Wits University Method
Wits uses seven subjects and offers bonuses for English and Math above 60%.
- English: 76% = Level 6 (Plus 2 Bonus Points) = 8 Points
- Afrikaans: 68% = Level 5
- Mathematics: 82% = Level 7 (Plus 2 Bonus Points) = 9 Points
- Physical Sciences: 71% = Level 6
- Accounting: 88% = Level 7
- Geography: 61% = Level 5
- Life Orientation: 90% = Level 7 (But capped at max 4 points) = 4 Points
Total Wits APS = 8 + 5 + 9 + 6 + 7 + 5 + 4 = 44 Points.
As you can see, the exact same academic transcript yields an APS of 36 at one university and an APS of 44 at another. This is why you must calculate your score specifically for the institution you are applying to.
You can also use our automatic aps score calculator and get your score immediately.
Designated vs. Non-Designated Subjects
In the past, the Department of Higher Education published a list of “Designated Subjects” (such as Physics, History, Accounting, and Languages) and “Non-Designated Subjects” (such as Tourism, Hospitality, or Equine Studies). Previously, universities heavily penalized non-designated subjects.
Today, this official list has largely been scrapped to allow for a more inclusive curriculum. A level 6 in Tourism carries the same APS weight as a level 6 in Physical Sciences. However, the legacy of this system lives on through faculty prerequisites. If you apply for a BCom in Economics, the faculty will gladly accept your APS points from Tourism to boost your total score, but they will still mandate that you have Core Mathematics.
The most prominent exception to equal weighting is Mathematical Literacy. Many faculties in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Commerce will either drastically reduce the points awarded for Maths Lit or refuse to accept it entirely. If you intend to study in these fields, Core Mathematics is a non-negotiable requirement.
What to Do If Your APS Is Too Low
Receiving your final Matric results and realizing you have missed the required APS for your dream degree can be devastating. However, a low APS is not the end of your tertiary education journey. You have several strategic alternatives available:
1. Extended Degree Programmes (EDPs)
Many universities offer Extended Degree Programmes for students who miss the standard entry requirements by just a few points. Instead of completing a degree in three years, an EDP stretches the curriculum over four years, incorporating foundation modules in the first year to bridge the academic gap. For example, if a standard BSc requires an APS of 32, the Extended BSc might accept students with an APS of 28.
2. Higher Certificates and Diplomas
If you do not qualify for bachelor’s degree studies (meaning your NSC certificate indicates “Diploma Pass” or “Higher Certificate Pass”), you can apply to study a Higher Certificate at a university or a TVET college. A Higher Certificate is a one-year qualification. If you pass this certificate with excellent grades (usually an average of 65% or higher), you can use it to apply for entry into the first year of a related bachelor’s degree the following year, effectively bypassing your Matric APS.
3. Matric Upgrades and Rewrites
If you are determined to enter a highly competitive degree like Medicine or Veterinary Science, where Extended Programmes do not exist, your only option may be to rewrite specific Matric subjects. You can register with the Department of Basic Education to rewrite the subjects holding your APS back (such as Mathematics or Physics) during the May/June examination period the following year.
The Role of National Benchmark Tests (NBTs)
It is important to note that for highly competitive degrees, your APS is only half of the admission equation. Many faculties—particularly Health Sciences—require applicants to write the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs).
The NBTs assess your academic readiness in Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, and Mathematics. If a faculty requires the NBTs, they will create a composite score that blends your Matric APS with your NBT results to rank applicants. A very high APS can sometimes be offset by poor NBT results, resulting in a rejected application. Always check if your desired programme mandates the NBTs and register to write them early in your Matric year.
Conclusion
Understanding what an APS score is and how to calculate it accurately is the foundation of a successful university application strategy. It forces you to look at your academic performance objectively and aligns your high school subject choices with your career ambitions.
Remember the golden rules: know the specific calculation method of the university you are applying to, never ignore the subject-specific minimums, and always ensure you are relying on your core 20-credit subjects rather than Life Orientation to boost your score. By taking the time to calculate your APS correctly using your Grade 11 results, you can apply early, confidently, and strategically to the institutions that best match your academic profile.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for educational and preparatory purposes only. University policies, APS calculation formulas, and faculty-specific admission requirements change frequently. The examples provided are illustrative. Prospective students must verify all APS requirements and calculation methods directly via the official prospectuses of their chosen universities before making any binding educational decisions.
For an easier way of doing these calculations: Use our APS Calculator for free