Adult Matric Rewrite
Adults in South Africa can improve their marks or finish high school through the Department of Basic Education’s Second Chance Matric Programme or by registering for the Amended Senior Certificate (ASC) online via eServices. You can re-take subjects to meet career or university goals with no upper age limit.
Main Routes for Adults
- Matric Rewrite (NSC): Best if you already have an incomplete National Senior Certificate or want to improve specific subject marks from recent years.
- Amended Senior Certificate (Adult Matric): Best if you are 21 or older, did not finish high school, or wrote an older school syllabus.
Key Requirements
- Age: Must be 21 or older for the Amended Senior Certificate exams (though you can register earlier).
- Pass/Standing: Need a passed Grade 9 report (Standard 7) or an equivalent NQF Level 1 qualification.
- Documents: Certified copy of your ID or passport, plus your previous statement of results or Grade 9 certificate.
For the new syllabus (National Senior Certificate / NSC for exams written from 2008 onward), you can rewrite subjects in June or November. You cannot add or change your subject choices; you must retake the exact same subjects from your previous attempts, keeping your prior school assessment marks if they are still valid.
KEY RULES FOR NEW SYLLABUS REWRITES
- Exam Sittings: Choose between mid-year (May/June) or end-year (October/November) exams.
- Subject Limits: You cannot add new subjects or swap out old ones.
- Life Orientation: You cannot rewrite Life Orientation. If you need brand-new subjects for university entry, look into an Adult Matric or upgrade path instead.
- Registration: Sign up officially through the Department of Basic Education or use their free Second Chance Matric Programme.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- A clear copy of your official ID document
- Your previous official matric statement of results (not the final certificate)
- Proof of your prior school-based assessment (SBA) marks