How to Calculate Your APS Score for University Admission in South Africa
As you embark on your journey toward university admission in South Africa, one critical step is calculating your APS (Admission Point Score). This score is a vital tool that universities use to evaluate your academic performance and suitability for specific programs. Knowing how to calculate your APS score accurately can greatly enhance your chances of meeting university entry requirements and achieving your educational goals. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to calculate your APS score, complete with an example based on Matric final results.
What is APS?
The APS, or Admission Point Score, is a numerical value derived from your National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualifications. It reflects your academic performance across your subjects. Each university may have specific APS requirements for different programs, but understanding how to calculate your APS score will help you assess whether you meet these criteria.
Step 1: Gather Your Results
To begin calculating your APS score, collect your final results from the NSC or equivalent qualification. You will need the marks for each subject you completed. For this example, let’s assume you have the final results for seven South African subjects.
Step 2: Understand the Scoring System
In South Africa, the APS calculation uses a scale from 1 to 7, where 7 represents the highest achievement. Here’s how the scores correspond to percentage ranges:
- 7: 80% – 100% (Outstanding Achievement)
- 6: 70% – 79% (Meritorious Achievement)
- 5: 60% – 69% (Substantial Achievement)
- 4: 50% – 59% (Adequate Achievement)
- 3: 40% – 49% (Moderate Achievement)
- 2: 30% – 39% (Elementary Achievement)
- 1: 0% – 29% (Not Achieved)
Remember that Life Orientation does not count toward your APS (Some universities will count it for a single point if you passed, while others will count it for half the allocated number of points. Others will not count it at all).
Step 3: Calculate Your APS Score
Here’s how to calculate your APS score using an example with seven subjects. Let’s assume the following marks for the subjects:
- Mathematics: 75%
- Afrikaans First Additional Language: 68%
- English Home Language: 82%
- Life Orientation: 85% (this result is excluded from the APS score)
- Biology: 77%
- Geography: 64%
- History: 70%
Convert these percentage marks into APS points:
- Mathematics (75%) = 6
- Afrikaans First Additional Language (68%) = 5
- English Home Language (82%) = 7
- Life Orientation (85%) = 7 (this result is excluded from the APS score)
- Biology (77%) = 6
- Geography (64%) = 5
- History (70%) = 6
Add up the APS scores for these your subjects:
- Mathematics: 6
- Afrikaans First Additional Language: 5
- English Home Language: 7
- Life Orientation: 7 (this result is excluded from the APS score)
- Biology: 6
- Geography: 5
- History: 6
Total APS Score = 6 + 5 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 6 = 35
Step 4: Compare with University Requirements
Once you have your total APS score, compare it with the entry requirements for your desired university and program. Different programs and institutions have varying APS thresholds. For example, a university program may require a minimum APS of 32 for entry. In this case, with a score of 35, you meet the entry requirement for this program.
Step 5: Seek Guidance if Needed
If you’re unsure about your APS score or how it fits with university requirements, seek assistance from a school counselor, teacher, or educational consultant. They can provide valuable advice and help you understand how to improve your score if needed.
Which Subjects Count towards my APS?
There are 6 subjects that will count towards your APS (you will complete a minimum of 7 subjects in Matric, but remember that Life Orientation is excluded in the APS score).
Your APS score will be made up of 3 compulsory subjects:
- Home Language (Afrikaans, English, IsiNdebele, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga)
- First Additional Language (Afrikaans, English, IsiNdebele, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga)
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
And 3 elective subjects:
- Accounting
- Agricultural Management Practices
- Agricultural Sciences
- Agricultural Technology
- Business Studies
- Civil Technology
- Computer Applications Technology
- Consumer Studies
- Dance Studies
- Dramatic Arts
- Economics
- Electrical Technology
- Engineering Graphics and Design
- Geography
- History
- Hospitality Studies
- Information Technology
- Life Sciences
- Mechanical Technology
- Music
- Physical Sciences
- Religion studies
- Tourism
- Visual Arts
How Much Should My APS Be?
The APS you want to get will depend on what you want to study and where you want to study. The minimum APS requirements for the four passing levels are as follows:
- Bachelor’s Degree pass – minimum APS 23
- Diploma pass – minimum APS 19
- Higher Certificate pass – minimum APS 15
- NSC pass – minimum APS 14
Conclusion
Understanding how to calculate your APS score is crucial for university admission in South Africa. By following these steps and using the example provided, you can effectively determine your score and assess your readiness for specific programs. Remember, your APS score is an essential part of your application, but it’s also important to ensure your overall application reflects your strengths and aspirations. With accurate calculations and a clear understanding of the requirements, you’ll be well-prepared to achieve your academic goals and pursue your desired career path.