Admission Point Score (APS): How To Calculate Your Score

Sunday, 21 April 2024

By ASP School Projects

A Comprehensive Guide on the APS Score and its Significance in University Admissions

Embarking on the journey to higher education like university can feel like navigating through a maze of acronyms and jargon. One term you'll come across is the Admission Point Score (APS). But what is an APS? Why is it important? And how can it impact your university admissions process? Sometimes even parents don't fully remember how course admissions work or even know what the requirements for degrees are nowadays. With this guide we aim to demystify the admission point scores, providing you with a clear understanding of its significance in your academic journey.

The Importance of the APS Score

Definition of APS Score

The APS Score, or Admission Point Score, is the numerical value that universities use to measure your high school academic achievements.

The admission point score is a point system used by universities to assess the eligibility of students for specific courses. This score is calculated based on your final metric results. Each subject you've taken is assigned a certain number of points, and these are then added together to give your total APS Score.

Think of your APS Score as a numerical representation of your academic prowess, a score that universities use to determine if you're a fit for certain programs.

Impact of APS Score on University Admissions

Why all this fuss about the APS Score? Well, it's a crucial factor in university admissions. Universities use it as a benchmark to ensure that students meet the academic requirements of their chosen courses. It's a fair and transparent system that allows universities to compare students on an equal footing.

Each university course has a minimum APS Score requirement. It's important to note that different universities might have different methods of calculating the APS Score. Some may consider all subjects, while others might only count specific ones. Therefore, it's crucial to understand the specific APS requirements of the universities you're interested in. This means that your APS Score can directly influence the courses you're eligible to apply for. A higher APS Score opens up a wider range of courses, giving you more options when it comes to choosing your future career path.

Your APS score can also impact your chances of receiving a scholarship. Many universities and other institutions offer scholarships based on academic performance, and a high APS Score can increase your chances of securing one.

When Should You Start Thinking About Your APS Score?

Focusing on achieving a high APS score in matric, your final year of high school, is a journey that begins long before Grade 12. It is important to start laying the groundwork for academic success as early as possible, ideally from Grade 9 onwards.

This early preparation allows students to select subjects in Grade 9 aligned with their strengths and future career aspirations, ensuring they have ample time to excel and achieve high marks in these subjects.

Factors Affecting Your APS Score

Your APS is calculated firstly from the three compulsory subjects: Mathematics or Maths Literacy, your Home Language and a First Additional Language. The next three points come from the subjects you have chosen as your selection subjects. This gives a total of six subjects that will be used to calculate your final admission point score. Life Orientation is not considered in the APS calculation.

Here are the key factors that influence your APS score:

Factor 1: Subject Choice

Your choice of subjects in high school plays a significant role in your APS score. Every subject you take contributes to your TPT score. Universities often have specific subject requirements for different courses. For instance, for a course in a science field such as Engineering; Mathematics and Physical Sciences might be required. The subjects you choose in high school can directly affect your APS score and your eligibility for certain courses.

Factor 2: Grade 11 vs Final Matric Marks

The final mark you achieve in your Matric year is used to calculate your APS score. Some universities will look at your Grade 11 marks for preliminary admission to secure a position while waiting for your final matric results. If your Grade 12 results also meet their requirements, the university will give you permanent admission. Therefore, it's essential to work hard and achieve high marks in your Matric year to increase your APS score.

Factor 3: Home Language

Your home language is a compulsory factor that can affect your APS score. Universities often require a certain level of proficiency in your home language and achieving high marks in your home language can increase your APS score and improve your chances of acceptance. Your Home Language can be any of the following subjects:

Afrikaans
English
IsiNdebele
IsiXhosa
IsiZulu
Sepedi
Sesotho
Setswana
Siswati
Tshivenda
Xitsonga

Factor 4: Additional Language

Just like your Home Language, your Additional Language subject can also affect your APS score. Therefore, doing well in an additional language can also increase your APS score. Your First Additional Language can consist of any of the following subjects:

Afrikaans
English
IsiNdebele
IsiXhosa
IsiZulu
Sepedi
Sesotho
Setswana
Siswati
Tshivenda
Xitsonga

Factor 5: Mathematics or Maths Literacy

When you choose your subjects for Grade 10, you can either choose between Mathematics or Maths Literacy. You would’ve selected between these two subjects depending on the degree, diploma or course you want to study after matric. Some university degrees require Mathematics as a subject.

Factor 6: Three Other Elective Subjects

Three other elective subjects complete the remainder of the APS score, and can consist of any combination of any of the following subjects:

Accounting
Business Studies
Computer Applications Technology (CAT)
Dramatic Arts
Economics
Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD)
Geography
History
Information Technology (IT)
Life Science
Music
Physical sciences
Tourism
Visual Arts

Factor 7: Life Orientation

Life Orientation is a compulsory subject in the South African schooling system, but it is not considered in the calculation of the APS score.

Note: Some universities will count Life Orientation only for a single point if you pass, and sometimes universities will count it for half the allocated number of points. But it will not count the same number of points as other subjects and you shouldn’t bargain on LO being a factor when planning your admission to universities.

Understanding these factors can help you maximize your APS score and increase your chances of getting accepted into the university course of your choice.

How To Calculate Your APS Score

The APS calculation formula is a system used by universities to determine the eligibility of students for specific courses. It is based on the final results of your high school subjects.

Step 1: Assign Points to Each Subject

Each subject you took in high school is assigned a certain number of points based on the grade you achieved. The points are allocated as follows:

A symbol (80 – 100%) = 7
B symbol (70 – 79%) = 6
C symbol (60 – 69%) = 5
D symbol (50 – 59%) = 4
E symbol (40 – 49%) = 3
F symbol (30 – 39%) = 2
G symbol (0 – 29%) = 1

Step 2: Add the Points Together

Once you have assigned points to each of your subjects, add them together to get your total APS Score. This score is the sum of the points for all your subjects. For example, if you took 6 subjects and scored 7 points in each, your APS Score would be 42 (6 subjects x 7 points).

APS Score & Bachelor’s Degree Pass

A Bachelor’s Degree Pass represents the pinnacle of Matric achievement, typically attained by students with numerous distinctions.
The prerequisites for obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree Pass are:

40% minimum score for your Home Language
50% minimum score for four other higher credit subjects
30% minimum score for 2other subjects
Pass 6 out of 7 total subjects

APS Score & Diploma Pass

Learners who receive a Diploma pass can gain provisional admission to a University of Technology.
The criteria for attaining a Diploma Pass are as follows:

40% minimum score for your Home Language
40% minimum score for four other higher credit subjects
30% minimum score for two additional subjects for the National Senior Certificate
Pass 6 out of 7 total subjects

APS Score & Higher Certificate Pass

A Higher Certificate Pass enables students to enrol at colleges or distance learning institutions.
The requirements for this certification include:

40% minimum score in your Home Language
40% minimum score in two other subjects
30% minimum score in three other subjects for the National Senior Certificate (One of your Home Languages must be English or Afrikaans to qualify for this certificate)
Pass 6 out of 7 total subjects

APS Score & National Senior Certificate Pass

Learners who only pass with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) will not be selected to study at a university.
The prerequisites for obtaining a National Senior Certificate Pass are as follows:

Pass in at least 3 subjects with a minimum score of 40%. One of these subjects must be an official Home Language.
Pass in at least 2 subjects with a minimum score of 30%. One of these subjects must be a First Additional Language or Home Language.
Allowance for failing 1 subject even your First Additional Language – but you must then get 30% or more for the other 6 subjects, making a total of 6 passes.
With an average of 33⅓% for all subjects, you will be awarded an NSC but it will not enable you to study at any university.

Step 3: Compare Your Score with University Requirements

After calculating your APS Score, compare it with the minimum APS Score required for admission to your desired course at the university you wish to attend. Each university and course has its own APS Score requirement, so it's important to research this information in advance.

While the APS Score is a significant factor in university admissions, it's not the only one. Universities also consider other factors such as your National Benchmark Test (NBT) results and extracurricular activities. Therefore, it's important to focus on all aspects of your application to increase your chances of admission.

What Is The Highest APS You Can Get?

The highest achievable APS is 42, considering that Life Orientation is excluded from the calculation, leaving six subjects to determine the score, with each subject capable of earning a maximum of 7 points (6 x 7 = 42).

Improving Your APS Score

So, how can you improve your APS Score? Remember, every point counts! Here are four quick tips for improving your APS score:

1. Start Early Preparing For A High APS Score

Begin focusing on your academic performance from the early years of high school. Choose subjects aligned with your strengths and interests, and consistently strive for excellence in these areas.

2. Develop Effective Study Habits

Establish a structured study routine and stick to it. Allocate dedicated time for studying each subject, utilise active learning techniques such as summarising notes, practising past exam papers, and teaching concepts to others.

3. Seek Additional Support

Don't hesitate to seek help when needed. Utilise resources such as tutoring, study groups, and educational websites such as ASP School Projects, to reinforce your understanding of difficult concepts and improve your performance in challenging subjects.

4. Invest in Exam Preparation Resources

Consider purchasing a comprehensive package of exam papers and worksheets. These resources often provide targeted practice questions, model answers, and exam strategies tailored to specific subjects, helping you to build confidence and improve your performance on exam day. ASP School Projects has a wide range of study resources, specialising in test worksheets and exam preparation. Choose your grade to view available products.

Grade 1	Grade 6
Grade 2	Grade 7
Grade 3	Grade 8
Grade 4	Grade 9
Grade 5	Grade 10

Remember, consistent effort, dedication, and strategic planning are key to achieving a high APS score.

Now that you're equipped with a clear understanding of the APS Score and its significance in university admissions, you're one step closer to navigating the higher education maze with confidence. So, go forth and conquer your academic dreams!

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