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How to Calculate Admission Point Score (APS)

This guide will walk you through calculating your Admission Point Score (APS) for university applications in South Africa.

APS is a standardized scoring system used by South African universities to evaluate applications based on your National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Independent Examinations Board (IEB) results.

Before you begin:

• Gather your results: You will need your final National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Independent Examinations Board (IEB) results. This document will list your subjects and the percentage achieved in each.
• Understand it’s a guideline: This guide provides a general method. Always refer to the specific APS requirements of each university and programme you are applying to.
  
  Universities may have slight variations in how they calculate APS, subject weightings, and minimum APS requirements. University websites and prospectuses are your most reliable sources of information.

Let’s break down the process into clear steps:

Step 1: Identify Your Qualifying Subjects

Typically, universities use your best 6 or 7 subjects (including compulsory subjects depending on the university and programme). The most common approach is to use the best 6 subjects excluding Life Orientation (LO). However, some universities do include LO, sometimes with specific conditions or lower weighting. Again, check the specific university’s requirements.

Compulsory Subjects (often included):

• Home Language: This is usually compulsory.
• First Additional Language: Often included, but sometimes with specific language requirements depending on the programme.
• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy: Required for many programmes. Choose the one you passed.
• Sometimes Life Orientation (LO): As mentioned, its inclusion and weighting vary.

Elective Subjects: These are your other subjects. Choose your best-performing elective subjects to reach the 6 or 7 subject total (or whatever the university specifies).

For the purpose of this guide, we will assume we are using the best 6 subjects excluding Life Orientation (LO) as it’s a common standard, but remember to adjust based on university specifics.

Step 2: Find the APS Conversion Scale (Percentage to Points)

You need to convert your percentage marks for each subject into APS points. The standard APS conversion scale generally looks like this:

Percentage (%)	APS Points
80 – 100	7
70 – 79	6
60 – 69	5
50 – 59	4
40 – 49	3
30 – 39	2
0 – 29	1 (Sometimes 0 or fail – check university policy)

Important Notes about the APS Scale:

• Slight Variations Exist: While the table above is a common representation, some universities might have slightly adjusted scales. Always consult the specific university’s APS information.
• Failing a Subject: Generally, you need to have passed the minimum number of subjects (often 6) with a certain minimum percentage to qualify for university entrance. Failing core subjects might disqualify you from certain programmes. Check university regulations regarding failed subjects.
• Advanced Programme (AP) Subjects (IEB): IEB students taking Advanced Programme (AP) subjects might have these subjects weighted differently or receive bonus APS points at some universities. Check university-specific policies on AP subjects.

Step 3: Convert Your Subject Percentages to APS Points

Now, go through your chosen subjects (e.g., your best 6 excluding LO) and use the APS conversion scale to find the APS points for each subject.

Example:

Let’s say your subject results for your best 6 subjects (excluding LO) are:

• Home Language (English): 75%
• First Additional Language (Afrikaans): 68%
• Mathematics: 62%
• Physical Sciences: 79%
• Accounting: 82%
• Business Studies: 71%

Using the APS Conversion Scale, convert each percentage to APS points:

• English (75%): 6 APS points (70-79% range)
• Afrikaans (68%): 5 APS points (60-69% range)
• Mathematics (62%): 5 APS points (60-69% range)
• Physical Sciences (79%): 6 APS points (70-79% range)
• Accounting (82%): 7 APS points (80-100% range)
• Business Studies (71%): 6 APS points (70-79% range)

Step 4: Calculate Your Total APS Score

To get your total APS score, simply add up the APS points you calculated for each of your chosen subjects.

Continuing the Example:

Total APS = English (6) + Afrikaans (5) + Mathematics (5) + Physical Sciences (6) + Accounting (7) + Business Studies (6)

Total APS = 35

Step 5: Understand University-Specific Requirements and Minimum APS

Your calculated APS score is a valuable indicator, but it’s crucial to remember:

• Minimum APS: Each university programme has a minimum APS requirement. You must meet or exceed this minimum APS to be considered for admission to that programme. Minimum APS scores vary widely between programmes and universities. Highly competitive programmes will have higher minimum APS.
• Subject Requirements: Beyond the overall APS, programmes often have specific subject requirements. For example, an Engineering programme will likely require a minimum percentage in Mathematics and Physical Sciences in addition to a minimum overall APS. A Humanities programme might prioritize Languages.
• Weighting of Subjects: Some universities might weight certain subjects more heavily for specific programmes. For instance, Mathematics might be weighted higher for Science or Commerce programmes.
• Life Orientation (LO): If the university includes LO in APS calculation, they will specify how it is used. It might be included directly, given lower weighting, or only considered if you meet the minimum APS without LO and are on the borderline.
• National Benchmark Tests (NBTs): Many South African universities require you to write National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) in addition to your NSC/IEB results and APS. NBT results are used to further assess your academic readiness.
• Other Admission Criteria: Some programmes might also consider portfolios, interviews, or prior learning experience in addition to APS and NBTs.

Therefore, after calculating your APS, your next crucial step is to thoroughly research the specific admission requirements for each programme and university you are interested in.

Step 6: Verify and Double-Check Everything

• University Websites are Key: Always refer to the official websites of the universities you are applying to for the most accurate and up-to-date APS information and admission requirements.
• Contact the University Admissions Office: If you are unsure about any aspect of the APS calculation or admission requirements, don’t hesitate to contact the university’s admissions office directly. They are there to assist you.
• Double-Check Your Calculations: Before submitting applications, carefully double-check your APS calculations and ensure you have accurately converted your percentages to points.