VerifiedTo improve your NSC results, you register only for the subjects you want to improve; the DBE does not publish a minimum or a maximum number for improving candidates. The rules are different if you are completing the Senior Certificate, which needs six subjects. Source: the DBE’s Senior Certificate page.
Check Your Personalized Bursary Options
Step 1: Choose Study Level
Step 2: Choose Field of Study
Step 3: Describe Your Interest
Tell us if you want bursaries, scholarships, admissions, or student loans?
Two different situations
| Your situation | How many subjects |
|---|---|
| You passed or wrote the NSC and want better marks | Only the subjects you choose to improve |
| You are completing the Senior Certificate (amended) as an adult | Six subjects, and only selected subjects are available |
Senior Certificate pass requirements
- 40% in three subjects, one of them a home language.
- 30% in two subjects.
- 20% in the sixth subject.
- The exam counts for 100% of the mark; there is no school-based assessment.
Combining results
The DBE says previous NSC credits are recognised, and candidates with incomplete statements must apply for a combination of results. You can combine older results with Senior Certificate results if you meet the subject choice requirements.
Claims that you may only upgrade “a maximum of three subjects” are not in the DBE rules we checked.
Choosing which subjects to upgrade
- Check the admission requirements of the course you want.
- Focus on subjects that change your pass level or admission points.
- Register on the DBE eservices website before the deadline.
See NSC pass requirements and where to rewrite.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upgrade just one matric subject?
Yes. NSC candidates improving their results register for the subjects they choose.
How many subjects does the Senior Certificate need?
Six subjects, with pass marks of 40% in three (including a home language), 30% in two and 20% in one.