Matric exam results 2023: Provinces ranked from BEST to WORST

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has published the final National Senior Certificate (NSC) results for the 2023 matric year.

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The long-awaited results showed an overall pass rate of 82.9%, which represented a 2.8% increase on the 2022 results.

The NSC pass rate has shown a steady increase over the years from 60% in 2009 to over 82.9% in 2023.

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According to the DBE, over 897 775 matrics registered to take the exams last year, of which around 80% (715 719) were full-time candidates.

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The results show that out of the 2023 matric class, 40.9% of students achieved a bachelor’s pass, 27.2% achieved a diploma pass and 14.8% achieved a higher certificate pass.

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Here are the NSC pass requirements, as per the DBE:

      Admission to bachelor studies

• Must obtain at least 40% for the candidate’s home language (this is compulsory);
• Must obtain at least 50% for the candidate’s four other subjects, excluding life orientation
• Must obtain at least 30% for the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution;
• Must obtain at least 30% for one other subject; and
• Must pass at least six of the seven subjects.
  
  Admission to diploma studies
• Must obtain at least 40% for the candidate’s home language (this is compulsory);
• Must obtain at least 40% for three of other subjects, excluding life orientation;
• Must obtain at least 30% for the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution;
• Must obtain at least 30% for one other subject; and
• Must pass at least six of the seven subjects.
  
  Admission to higher certificate studies

• Must obtain at least 40% for the candidate’s home language (this is compulsory);
• Must obtain at least 30% for the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution;
• Must obtain at least 40% for two other subjects;
• Must obtain at least 30% for three other subjects; and
• Must pass at least six of the seven subjects.

Basic education minister Angie Motshekga said that all nine South African provinces improved their results in 2023 (including progressed learners):