Can you rewrite Matric in South Africa? (Yes — here’s how)
Yes. You can rewrite Matric to improve your results or qualify for a different pass level (Bachelor/Diploma), but the best option depends on your age, your previous results, and what you’re trying to achieve.
Quick reasons students rewrite Matric
Students commonly rewrite to:
- Increase APS for a competitive programme
- Improve Mathematics or Physical Sciences marks
- Move from a Diploma pass to a Bachelor pass
- Fix one or two subjects that pulled their results down
- Meet subject requirements (Maths vs Math Lit matters)
Option 1: Rewrite specific subjects (most common)
This is usually the smartest option if only a few subjects need improvement.
How it works
- You choose the subject(s) you want to rewrite
- You study again and write the exams
- Your improved subject results can increase your APS
Option 2: Rewrite the full Matric
This is usually only needed if your overall results were poor or you want to change many subjects.
How it works
- You register for all subjects again
- You rewrite the full set of exams
This takes longer and is more work than rewriting a few subjects.
Option 3: Second Chance / supplementary support programmes
Some students use structured programmes (often called “second chance” support) to prepare for rewrites.
This helps if you need:
- better study structure
- better support for Maths/Science
- exam practice and time management
Option 4: Adult Matric / upgrading routes (depending on your situation)
Some upgrading pathways are designed for adults or learners who completed school years ago.
These routes can help you:
- improve specific subjects
- complete missing requirements
- reach diploma/degree entry where possible
Common mistakes to avoid
- Rewriting without a clear target (what programme are you aiming for?)
- Ignoring subject requirements (some degrees need Maths, not Math Lit)
- Not calculating APS before and after rewriting
- Trying to “rewrite everything” when only 1–2 subjects need improvement
Best next step: calculate your APS first
Before you rewrite anything, calculate your APS now and decide what you need to improve.
Try the APS Calculator:
- count best 6 vs 7
- include/exclude LO
- check Maths vs Math Lit warning for certain degrees
How to choose which subjects to rewrite
A smart approach is:
- Identify your target degree/diploma
- Check required subjects (Maths/Science/languages)
- Rewrite the subject(s) that:
- block you from entry requirements, or
- will give you the biggest APS increase
Often, improving one subject from a low band to a higher band can increase your APS quickly.