Department Of Basic Education Senior Certificate

Department Of Basic Education Senior Certificate

Department Of Basic Education Senior Certificate, In 2014, the Department of Basic Education revised requirements for the Senior Certificate (matric) qualification for adults to bring it in line with the CAPS curriculum.



Candidates writing the amended Senior Certificate will be exempt from School Based Assessment, and this implies that the examination in the subject will constitute 100% of the final mark.

Who qualifies to write the amended Senior Certificate / Matric?

The following learners qualify to register for the Senior Certificate / Matric exams for adults:

  1. Adult learners who are 21 years and older, who have one of the following:
    • A General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) for Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET); or
    • A Grade 9 (Standard 7) school report, stating that they have passed Grade 9; or
    • A recognised equivalent qualification obtained at NQF Level 1, which requires two official languages.
  2. Adult learners who are 21 years and older who have passed some subjects for a Senior Certificate or a National Senior Certificate, who:
    • Need to complete a Senior Certificate (Matric) qualification;
    • Have an incomplete National Senior Certificate, and whose School-Based Assessment (SBA) has expired;
    • Candidates who did the NSC in 2008, 2009 and 2010 may apply to register.
  3. In exceptional cases, Youth who are 18 to 20 years old and who are not in school can apply to the Head of Education in the province to write the exams if they have one of the following:
    • A Grade 9 (Standard 7) school report, stating that they have passed Grade 9; or
    • A General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) for Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET); or
    • A recognized equivalent qualification obtained at NQF Level 1, which requires two official languages.

Representatives from the WCED, Umalusi, and the DBE will monitor the examination processes at the examination centres.



A copy of the Senior Certificate timetable can be found here – Exam Timetable

I would like to wish all Senior Certificate (Matric) candidates the best of luck for the upcoming examinations.

I also wish to encourage those adult learners who have not enrolled this year and qualify for the Senior Certificate Examinations, to apply to write the 2017 exams. You have a full year to prepare for the exams and earn yourself an important school leaving certificate that can open up many doors for you.

Adults who qualify to write the 2017 Senior Certificate examination must register for the examination between 1st September and 30th November 2016. Learners may register at any provincial education office which includes the provincial head office, the district office, or a circuit office. A statement issued by Western Cape Education Department