Being able to calculate your APS (Admission Point Score) is important when applying to a college or university. In this article, you’ll find out exactly why universities use APS scores and why you need to be aware of them.
Your APS is important because it contributes to a major decision in your life. The marks you receive in matric will determine whether you will get into university.
Calculating your APS isn’t difficult, but it’s something you need to do before applying to university. Thus, without further ado, here’s a breakdown of why your APS score matters.
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Before we dive straight into why your APS score matters, it’s important to first define what an APS score is.
What is an APS Score?
Your Admission Point Score (APS) is an easy-to-calculate, individual score that represents your matric marks (prelim and final) in the format that they will be assessed according to the specific course requirements at the different universities.
Each university has a different APS calculation. It’s a single number that you can use to figure out which courses you qualify for at university (just remember that some courses have subject-specific requirements that you need to meet as well).
Want to calculate your APS with a few clicks? What Can I Study has a nifty APS calculator to calculate your specific APS for any institution you apply to.
Why Do Universities Use APS Scores?
Universities (and universities of technology) use APS for a few reasons.
The APS is calculated because it is a convenient way for universities to process applicants. Given the thousands of applications received yearly, the APS assists with the application process by cutting down on administrative work.
Many people apply to universities every year and APS requirements are a simple way of letting students know which courses they could qualify for. It also means that these institutions don’t have to consider the marks for each subject of every student. There are also subject-specific requirements. No matter your focus, you will need to have met the basic requirements for subjects like Maths and your first language.
Remember:
Every university has different requirements for different courses. APS requirements are an easy way to reduce the amount of work universities have to do, with regards to informing the huge number of students who apply every year of their acceptance or rejection.
What Purpose Does APS Serve?
While the APS scoring system does help universities cut down on their administrative work, it also helps students find out which courses they are likely to get into at different universities.
This means that thousands of students can plan their applications without having to contact a university or ask questions. This is great for universities, which no longer have to answer hundreds of calls or emails a week; it’s also beneficial for students as they can easily figure out which courses they can apply for and how likely they are to be accepted.
Why Do You Need to Be Aware of Your APS Score?
Students need to perform well in Grade 11: It is not enough to get the minimum requirements. Universities receive a large number of applications and only students who, at the very least, meet the minimum requirements are chosen.
You need to understand how the APS system works because almost all universities use this system to consider applications. APS is what universities consider when assessing your strengths and ability to study a course.
Generally, universities use your final matric results to calculate your APS. Students with a high APS score may get accepted into multiple universities to study their chosen programme. On the contrary, those with low APS may have difficulty finding a school that will let them study their programme of choice.
While it’s important to get as high a score as possible, it’s also important to understand that your score is not everything.
The APS is just a way that universities have streamlined the application processes to make it easier to handle the number of applications they get every year.
Putting some effort into applications, letters and emails will go a long way to helping you secure a position at your university of choice.
Additionally, APS enables administrators to reduce their workload during admission.
What You Should Do Once You Know Your APS Score
You can check the APS that your chosen university requires for the programme you want to study. You should do this early so that you know your stand. If you are not eligible for one university, look for other universities where your APS is acceptable for that programme.
However, if you have an APS that is below the bare minimum, you can rewrite your matric exam. Then use your results to apply to your university of choice the following year.
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Now, that you understand why APS is so important and how to calculate your APS, you are ready to start your tertiary learning journey!
