APS Score Explained: How to Calculate Your APS (2027)

Introduction

This article was written to provide an overview of the APS for parents and students that will be studying in South Africa, particularly from South African IEB and CAPS schools.

Quick Answers/ Table of Contents:

APS calculations for:

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We hope to give you an overview of the APS score and how you can structure your studies to optimise your APS, and therefore improve your chances of getting into your desired degree programme at your desired institution!

What is the APS?

APS stands for Admission Points Score. It is a benchmark score, calculated from your school marks, that South African universities use to decide whether you qualify for entry into a particular course or faculty. Most universities will only consider your application to a specific programme if you meet the minimum APS for the degree in question.

Why do universities use it?

The short answer: volume. Universities receive far more applications than they have places. Wits, for example, received roughly 85,000 undergraduate applications for the 2025 intake, for around 6,000 first-year places. No admissions office can read that many report cards one by one, so the APS gives them a fast, standardised way to rank and filter applicants before they look at anything else.

It helps you too. Before applying, you can work out which courses you realistically qualify for, rather than applying blind and hoping.

Note that the APS is typically calculated on your final Grade 11 results for provisional (conditional) acceptance, and on your final matric results for final acceptance. Your Grade 11 marks matter more than most families realise.

Is a matric bachelor's pass the same thing as a good APS?

No. A bachelor's degree pass is the legal minimum to be eligible for degree study: broadly, at least 40% for your Home Language, 50% in four other high-credit subjects, and 30% in two more. The APS sits on top of that. A bachelor's pass gets you to the front door; your APS (plus each programme's subject requirements) determines which doors actually open.

How to calculate the APS

Unfortunately, there is no single national APS formula - universities vary in their calculation rules, so your APS for one university will not be the same as your APS for another.

It gets more complicated: your APS for one faculty can differ from your APS for another faculty at the same university, because most calculations use your best 6 or 7 subjects, and those must include any subjects required for the relevant course.

For example, if you took History as an extra subject and performed very well in it (and poorly in Physical Sciences), you can use History in your APS calculation for a BA in place of Physical Sciences. But if you are applying for Engineering, you must count Physical Sciences, since it is a required subject for the degree.

That said, there are some commonalities:

Most universities exclude Life Orientation - and the ones that don't tend to score it on a separate, smaller scale. (LO is a 10-credit subject, versus 20 credits for your academic subjects, which is why it gets sidelined.)
Most universities count 6 or 7 subjects, which usually must include Mathematics (Maths or Mathematical Literacy) and English (Home Language or First Additional Language), plus any course-mandatory subjects.
Most universities use a points scale based on the NSC achievement levels, which looks like this:

The standard APS score table

Percentage	NSC level	APS points
80% - 100%	7	7
70% - 79%	6	6
60% - 69%	5	5
50% - 59%	4	4
40% - 49%	3	3
30% - 39%	2	2
0% - 29%	1	1

On this standard scale, your APS is the sum of your best six subjects (excluding LO), giving a maximum of 42. Some universities extend the scale to 8 points for marks of 90% and above - see the university tables below.

Each university publishes its own version, and we provide an overview of the calculations for some of the top universities in South Africa below. If your university is not on the list, a quick Google search - something like "APS score calculation for 'University Name'" - will get you to that university's own admission requirements.

Better yet, skip the arithmetic altogether: we have built an interactive APS calculator into this page. Enter your marks once, and it works out your score for every major South African university at the same time. Try the APS calculator.

University APS variations

Here is how the major universities differ from the standard calculation, as of the 2027 intake (applications made during 2026). Requirements do change, so always confirm against the university's current prospectus before you apply.

This section explains how each university calculates its score. For the entry requirements themselves, programme by programme, see our guide to APS requirements at UCT, Wits, UJ, UP and Stellenbosch.

University of Cape Town

UCT has a very different APS system from most universities. Percentages are not converted to a points band; they are translated to APS points directly (82% = 82 points).

Your 6 best subjects are counted - excluding Life Orientation and all Advanced Programme subjects, and including English plus any subjects required for the relevant programme - giving a maximum APS of 600.

Percentage	APS points
40% - 100%	Equal to your percentage (e.g. 47% = 47 points, 92% = 92 points)
0% - 39%	0 points

Note the 40% rule: a subject below 40% contributes zero points, not its percentage. At UCT, moving a weak subject from 39% to 40% is worth more than moving a strong one from 71% to 78%.

Because every single mark counts at UCT, there is no such thing as a 'wasted' percentage point. A 71% and a 78% are different scores at UCT, unlike at most other universities.

If you are applying to UCT, you should also know that some faculties adjust this score further: the Faculty of Science counts Mathematics and Physical Sciences twice (rewarding strength in exactly those subjects), and the Faculty of Health Sciences adds your National Benchmark Test results to the score. UCT also applies weighting that accounts for an applicant's schooling and socio-economic background. The details are on UCT's admissions pages.

University of the Witwatersrand

Wits uses an APS system that rewards high marks in Mathematics and English, and does allocate points for LO - although far fewer than for other subjects:

Percentage	English & Maths APS	Life Orientation APS	All other subjects APS
90% - 100%	10	4	8
80% - 89%	9	3	7
70% - 79%	8	2	6
60% - 69%	7	1	5
50% - 59%	4	0	4
40% - 49%	3	0	3
0% - 39%	0	0	0

All seven subjects count at Wits. The English and Maths columns include a +2 bonus that only kicks in at 60% and above - and the bonus applies to Mathematics, not Mathematical Literacy. No points are awarded for results below 40%.

Two more things worth knowing about Wits. First, it will generally only consider one matric upgrade or rewrite attempt, so if a rewrite is part of your plan, plan it carefully (our matric rewrite programme covers this ground). Second, for Medicine, Wits does not use the ordinary APS alone: it uses a composite score built from your matric average and your NBT results. Find out more.

University of Pretoria, and University of Johannesburg

UP and UJ are the closest to the 'classic' APS: your 6 best subjects (excluding Life Orientation) are scored on the standard 7-point table and added, for a maximum of 42.

Percentage	Symbol	APS points
80% - 100%	A	7
70% - 79%	B	6
60% - 69%	C	5
50% - 59%	D	4
40% - 49%	E	3
30% - 39%	F	2
0% - 29%	G	1

Unlike Wits, UKZN and NWU, an A+ (90%+) is not awarded more points than an A.

Both universities then set programme-specific minimums: at UP, as of the 2027 intake, an LLB asks for an APS of 35 with English at level 6, and BEng programmes set a floor of APS 35 with strong Maths and Physical Sciences. Find out more: UP, or UJ.

University of KwaZulu-Natal, and North West University

UKZN and NWU also count your 6 best subjects excluding Life Orientation (English and Maths or Maths Lit must be included), but they extend the scale to reward marks of 90% and above:

Percentage	Symbol	APS points
90% - 100%	A+	8
80% - 89%	A	7
70% - 79%	B	6
60% - 69%	C	5
50% - 59%	D	4
40% - 49%	E	3
30% - 39%	F	2
0% - 29%	G	1

Find out more: UKZN, or NWU's APS calculator.

University of the Western Cape

UWC, like Wits, uses a weighted system that boosts English and Mathematics, counts all seven subjects, and scores LO on a small separate scale:

Percentage	Symbol	English & Maths APS	Life Orientation APS	All other subjects APS
90% - 100%	A+	15	3	8
80% - 89%	A	13	3	7
70% - 79%	B	11	2	6
60% - 69%	C	9	2	5
50% - 59%	D	7	2	4
40% - 49%	E	5	1	3
30% - 39%	F	3	1	2
20% - 29%	G	1	1	1
0% - 19%	G	0	0	0

Find out more.

Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch does not use the APS system. Instead, it works on your actual percentages: broadly, your best language mark (English or Afrikaans) plus your five best other subjects (excluding Life Orientation), averaged. Programme selection then happens on that average plus subject-specific requirements. Find out more.

APS Optimisation

Because of the way universities calculate their APS scores, it is important to structure your focus and attention on each subject in a way that gets the most APS 'bang' for your buck.

The structural quirk of the points-band systems (UP, UJ, UKZN, NWU and others) is that a 69% earns 5 points while a 70% earns 6 - a single percentage point at the boundary is worth a full APS point. Meanwhile, pushing a subject from 71% to 78% takes real effort and earns you nothing extra.

Here is an example of how a student with a lower matric average can have a higher APS for entrance into Engineering at Wits (which, as of the 2027 intake, asks for an APS of 42 or more, with minimum levels in English, Maths and Physical Sciences):

Nicholas - not optimised

Subject	Mark	APS
Afrikaans FAL	68%	5
English HL	69%	7
History	89%	7
Life Orientation	88%	3
Life Sciences	69%	5
Mathematics	78%	8
Physical Sciences	69%	5
Average: 76%		APS: 40*

*Does not meet the entrance requirement.

Savannah - optimised

Subject	Mark	APS
Afrikaans FAL	61%	5
English HL	70%	8
History	82%	7
Life Orientation	72%	2
Life Sciences	72%	6
Mathematics	83%	9
Physical Sciences	74%	6
Average: 73%		APS: 43*

*Does meet the entrance requirement.

In this example, Savannah spent a lot less time on Afrikaans, History and Life Orientation, and a little more time on English, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Physical Sciences - not because they are more important subjects for Engineering (although that is a factor) - but because she was only a few percentage points away from an APS increase in each.

Remember, there is a huge difference in the effort and attention applied between 71% and 78%, but no difference in many universities' APS results.

Matching your strategy to your university

Standard-scale universities (UP, UJ, UKZN, NWU): hunt the band boundaries. Marks sitting at 48%, 58%, 68% or 78% are the highest-yield places to spend your study hours; one more percentage point there buys a whole APS point.
Wits: the 59% to 60% jump in Mathematics or English is the single most valuable percentage point in the system - it takes you from 4 points straight to 7, because crossing 60% also triggers the +2 bonus. And don't neglect LO entirely: it is an easy handful of points at Wits.
UCT: boundaries don't exist - every mark in every counted subject adds to your score, so broad, steady improvement wins. The exception is the 40% rule: a counted subject below 40% scores zero, so rescuing a subject from the 30s is the most valuable move of all.

When employing an APS optimisation strategy, you need to be exceedingly clear about which universities you are applying to and their APS systems. A good strategy for one university might be a bad strategy for another.

This is exactly what our APS calculator is for: change one subject's mark and watch which universities' scores move (and which don't). That tells you where your next study hour is worth the most.

What other entrance requirements are there?

Your APS is the first gatekeeper, not the whole game. Three other things routinely decide competitive applications:

Subject minimums. Most programmes set hard minimums for specific subjects regardless of your total APS - for example, requiring level 5 (60%+) in Mathematics and English. A high APS built on strong electives cannot rescue a Maths mark below the programme's floor. Note also that Mathematical Literacy is generally not accepted for degrees in Science, Engineering, Commerce or Medicine.

The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs). The NBTs are national university-entrance tests that measure academic readiness independently of school marks. There are two: AQL (Academic and Quantitative Literacy) and MAT (Mathematics). They are required for some programmes and universities - notably Health Sciences programmes across the country - and are used for placement decisions at others. As of 2026, the tests cost R195 for AQL only, or R390 for both, results stay valid for three years, and you can write more than once (universities typically use your best result). You should start planning for your NBTs towards the end of Grade 11, and book early: some faculties require results by mid-year. If you want structured preparation, our NBT tutoring programme covers both tests.

Portfolios, interviews and job shadowing. Creative programmes (Fine Arts, Architecture) often require a portfolio that can count as much as your marks; some Health Sciences programmes require certified job-shadowing hours; some programmes interview. Read your programme's requirements page closely - these items have deadlines too.

If you are also weighing up studying overseas, the APS has cousins abroad: the GPA in the United States and the points systems used by universities in the UK work on similar logic, and we have written about both.

APS Optimisation and IEB and CAPS Support

Grade 9 (before you make your subject choice) is a good time to start thinking about all of this. You should tailor your subject choice, and subsequently your study schedule, to match the degree and institution you are aiming for.

That's where we come in. We identify strong and weak areas, and APS opportunities and threats, in our assessment process. We can also provide guidance on how to work smart to maximise your chances of getting into your desired course.

We then fill in those gaps systematically through premium, one-on-one tuition with our trained in-house team of tutors. This can be done online or in person.

See what our parents have to say.

Why Genius?

Genius has been operating since 1993, supplementing the school system and preparing students for South African and international universities throughout that time.

We are not just a tutoring agency; our team of tutors are in-house instructors who have been through a very rigorous vetting and training programme, and we work very closely with them, the school, and your family over the duration of the course to ensure a great result.

Here are some of the things that parents have said about our programme:

The assessment process is convenient and pain-free.
The lessons happen at a time that suits you, even if that means mornings or weekends.
These are one-on-one lessons that happen in your home or online.
You will improve your APS.
You will, therefore, have access to a bigger pool of courses and universities to choose from.
Once your kid gets there, they will be well-positioned to excel academically.

You can book an assessment by heading over to our contact page.

FAQs

1. What does APS stand for?

APS stands for Admission Points Score. It is a points score calculated from your school marks that South African universities use to decide whether you qualify for a particular course or faculty.

2. Why do South African universities use the APS?

Volume and fairness. Universities receive tens of thousands more applications than they have places, and the APS gives them a standardised, consistent way to compare applicants quickly. It also lets you see, before applying, which courses you realistically qualify for.

3. How is the APS calculated?

Most universities convert each subject's percentage into points on a 7- or 8-point scale, then add the points from your best six or seven subjects (which must include English, Maths or Maths Lit, and any subjects the course requires). The exact rules differ by university - see the tables in this article.

4. Is Life Orientation included in the APS?

Usually not. Most universities exclude LO entirely; Wits and UWC count it, but on a much smaller scale (a maximum of 3 or 4 points). Either way, LO is never worth as much as an academic subject.

5. What is a good APS score?

It depends entirely on the programme. On the standard 42-point scale, roughly 30+ opens most mainstream degrees, mid-30s is competitive for Law and Engineering, and the most oversubscribed programmes (like Medicine) effectively require marks near the top of the scale plus strong subject minimums. Check the current requirement for your specific programme and university.

6. Can I calculate my APS while I am still in Grade 10 or 11?

Yes, and you should. Enter your most recent report marks into the APS calculator on this page and it will do the conversion for every major university at once. Universities make provisional offers on final Grade 11 results, so treat Grade 11 as the real thing, not a rehearsal.

7. Do all universities use the same APS?

No. UCT counts your actual percentages (out of 600), Wits and UWC weight English and Maths more heavily, UP and UJ use the standard 7-point scale, UKZN and NWU award an 8th point for 90%+, and Stellenbosch does not use an APS at all. Your APS is only meaningful once you name the university.

8. What if my APS is not enough for the course I want?

You have options: apply to the same degree at a university whose calculation favours your marks, consider an extended-degree programme, improve your final-exam marks with targeted support, or (carefully) consider a rewrite - noting that some universities, like Wits, will generally only consider one rewrite attempt. This is exactly the kind of planning we help families with.

APS Explained: What Your Admission Points Score Means and How to Calculate It