IEB 2018 Matrics achieve 98.92% pass rate

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“This year’s pass rate is an increase comparable to last year’s pass rate of 98.76%,” the IEB said in a statement following the release of the results on Thursday.

All candidates who passed achieved a pass that is good enough to enter tertiary study at one of the three levels:

• 90.65% (compared to 88.50% in 2017) of the cohort achieved entry to degree study.
  
• 7.33% (compared to 8.95% in 2017) qualified for entry to diploma study.
  
• 0.95% (compared to 1.30% in 2017) achieved entry for study at the Higher Certificate level.

A total of 11,514 full-time and 858 part-time candidates from 249 examination centres across Southern Africa wrote the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations in October and November 2018.

“This is an increase from 2017 when there were 11,464 full-time candidates and 666 part-time candidates,” said the IEB.

Ahead of the release, the council for quality assurance in general and further education and training, Umalusi declared the results to be fair and valid.

“There is a clear realisation among IEB learners, their parents and teachers that having the knowledge and understanding that lies behind the results on the certificate is far more important and meaningful for success after one’s schooling,” said the IEB.

The IEB said the increase in the percentage pass rate for entry to bachelor degree studies can be attributed to the removal of the list of designated subjects.

Previously in addition to the normal pass requirements for the NSC, the attainment of 50% or more in a minimum of four designated subjects was required for entry to degree study.

In 2018, the list of designated subjects was removed. Learners must still get 50% in a minimum of four subjects; however the 50% requirement can apply to any subject excluding Life Orientation.

Learners will now have until 10 January 2019 to apply for re-marking.

Results from re-marking will be released on 6 February 2019.

The closing date for learner’s who qualify to enrol for the supplementary examination to do so, is 15 February 2019.