What is Admission Point Score?
Admission Point Score (APS) converts school subject results into points used in admissions. It is a sum under an institution’s rules, rather than an average of marks. A common six-subject scale has a maximum of 42, but universities can use other scales and weightings.
Why is your APS important?
Your APS is important because sir contributes to a major decision in your life. Your APS determines if you will study Human Resources or Law. It is what universities consider when assessing your strengths and ability to study a course. You have to understand that universities have diverse APS that they consider acceptable for a course.
For example, University A may require a higher APS to study engineering compared to University B. Generally; universities use your final Matric results to calculate your APS. Students with very high APS may get accepted in multiple universities to study their choice program. On the contrary, those with low APS may have difficulty finding a school that will let them study their programme of choice. Additionally, APS enables administrators to reduce their workload during admission.
How do you get your APS?
Use the subject results required by the university for your application. A common calculation uses six National Senior Certificate subjects; the institution determines compulsory subjects and which remaining results count. Examples of school subjects include:
- Agricultural Science
- Geography
- Consumer Studies
- Accounting
- Life Sciences
- Dramatic Arts
- Mathematical Literacy
- Business Studies
- Mathematics
- History
- Information Technology
- Languages
- Religion Studies
- Engineering Graphics and Design
- Visual Arts
- Music
- Economics
- Physical Science
Life Orientation is excluded by universities such as UJ and UP, but institutions have different rules. Computer Applications Technology is not universally excluded. The following is a common NSC 1–7 rating scale, not every institution’s APS formula.
- Your matric results are presented in the form of percentages or symbols. Additionally, you get a point for each subject in your matric results, depending on your percentage.
Score between 80% – 100% your APS is 7
Score between 70% – 79% your APS is 6
Score between 60% – 69% your APS is 5
Score between 50% – 59% your APS is 4
Score between 40% – 49% your APS is 3
Score between 30% – 39% your APS is 2
Score between 0% – 29%: the NSC achievement rating is 1.
- Add the points for the subjects specified by your chosen university. Meeting the APS is only one admission requirement.
- Higher Certificate admission requirements and APS thresholds differ by institution and programme.
- Diploma admission requirements and APS thresholds differ by institution and programme.
- Bachelor’s degree admission requirements and APS thresholds differ by institution and programme.
Universities: Admission Point Score (APS) Calculation
Universities calculate your Admission Point Score Based on their unique formula. The minimum APS that each university considers acceptable for a programme différés from other universities. Furthermore, while some universities only consider National Certificate subjects that are recognized, other universities don’t have such specificity.
What to do once you know your APS
You can check the APS that your chosen university requires for the programme you want to study. You should do this early so that you know your stand. If you are not eligible for one university, look for other universities where your APS is acceptable for that programme. However, if you have an APS that is below the bare minimum, you can rewrite your matric exam. Then use your results to apply to your university of choice the following year.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Some universities offer scholarships or academic merit awards based on school results and other criteria. Award amounts, eligibility and the marks used vary by institution and year; R40,000 is not a national entitlement.
Check each award’s current rules: some merit awards are allocated automatically, while others require an application. Academic results alone do not guarantee an award, and faculty or funding conditions can differ.
Also Read: Tshwane University of Technology TUT Online Application
Note
Please note that universities have other entry requirements asides your APS. Some of these requirements are specific to your chosen programme. Additionally, having the minimum APS is not advisable. This is because getting into most universities is competitive. There are only limited spaces, and having a more than average APS can increase your chances of getting admitted. Remember, you are not the only one seeking admission to study that programme.
