Passing your matric exams is the first step toward being accepted into a college or university in South Africa. However, if you failed matric or didn’t quite get the marks necessary to get into a higher education institution, then don’t worry! You can still get a second chance at matric by applying for a matric rewrite.
Whether you’ve failed your matric exams or are an adult looking for a redo, here’s everything you need to know about applying for a matric rewrite in 2023.
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Who Can Rewrite Matric?
Anyone can rewrite matric should they meet the right criteria. In South Africa, there are two types of people who are able to rewrite matric:
- learners who wrote their final matric exams and either underperformed or failed the exams, and
- adults who would like a second chance at completing their matric after not obtaining their matric certificate the first time around.
Learners that fall under the first category will be able to rewrite their matric and obtain a National Senior Certificate (NSC). Adults who fall under the second category will be able to qualify for a Senior Certificate (SC).
Wondering which Grade 12 matric certificate you qualify for? To understand which matric certificate you’ll be obtaining upon completing your exams, it’s important to establish the difference between the Senior Certificate (SC) and National Senior Certificate (NSC).
- Senior Certificate (SC): The Senior Certificate (SC) is a certificate that can be obtained by those 21 years of age or older and is frequently referred to as an “Adult Matric”.
- National Senior Certificate (NSC): The National Senior Certificate (NSC) is for learners under the age of 21 who would like the opportunity to rewrite their exams.
After obtaining either a Senior Certificate (SC) or National Senior Certificate (NSC), you’ll have an NQF Level 4, which opens many doors for you in terms of academics and your career!
Basically, if you succeed with an NQF Level 4, you’ll potentially be able to meet the requirements for your chosen college or university. You’ll also be able to get a part-time job or full-time job, depending on what your current plans are or where you are in your career.
Where Can I Register for a Matric Rewrite in 2023?
After you’ve received your final matric results, you may want to improve your matric results or rewrite your matric altogether.
We understand how you feel; it can be stressful (and disappointing) to receive your matric results and not get the marks you expected. With that said, it’s important not to be too hard on yourself or feel discouraged—especially because second chances do exist!
Everyone deserves a second opportunity for academic success. That’s why, in this article, we’ve listed 3 places where you can register for a matric rewrite in 2023:
Apply for a Matric Rewrite at the Department of Education
Grade 12 learners who would like to rewrite their matric can do so with the Department of Education’s Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP).
Established in 2016, the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) was made to assist learners who would like another chance at rewriting their matric subjects.
Completing the SCMP will ultimately allow you to meet the requirements necessary to obtain your Senior Certificate (SC) or National Senior Certificate (NSC) (commonly known as your “matric”).
Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) Subjects
If you decide to do a matric rewrite with the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP), then you’ll need to know which subjects are available so that you select the ones that are in line with your academic and career goals.
The Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) has the following subjects available for matric rewrites:
- Accounting
- Agricultural Science
- Business Science
- Economics
- English FAL
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
Note that if your goal is to get your National Senior Certificate (NSC) from the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP), you will only be able to rewrite 1 or 2 matric subjects from the list.
Candidates who are looking to qualify for their Senior Certificate (SC) will have full access to all subjects and will be expected to meet the full requirements necessary to get their matric certificate.
Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) Dates
According to the Department of Education, registration for the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) opened on 1 October 2022 and will close on 8 February 2023.
Candidates who qualify for the Senior Certificate (SC) or National Senior Certificate (NSC) will need to take note of the following matric examination dates:
- Senior Certificate (SC) Examination Dates: Individuals who would like to qualify for the SC are set to write exams in June 2023.
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examination Dates: Learners who tried to write matric after 2008 are set to write their matric exams in May/June and November 2023.
Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) Requirements
The requirements for the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) are largely dependent on whether you’ll be rewriting matric for either the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Senior Certificate (SC).
National Senior Certificate (NSC): Matric Exam Rewrite Requirements
Candidates who would like to apply for a matric rewrite for their National Senior Certificate (NSC) will need to meet the below requirements:
- You must be under the age of 21
- You need to be a registered learner who did not meet the initial NSC pass requirements
- You are a learner who met the initial NSC requirements but would like to improve your marks
- You are only looking to rewrite the subjects that you previously failed
- You only need to rewrite 1 or 2 matric exam papers
- You were absent with a valid reason (for example, you were medically unfit to write or there was a death in the family)
It’s important to note that the supplementary exams for March have been phased out. If you’re looking to rewrite your matric subjects, you will need to apply as a part-time candidate to write the 2023 June exams.
Senior Certificate (SC): Matric Exam Rewrite Requirements
Adult learners who are over the age of 21 and would like to qualify for a Senior Certificate (SC) will need to meet 1 or more of the following requirements to rewrite their matric exams:
- You currently have a General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) or a Grade 9 school report stating that you passed Grade 9 (otherwise known as Standard 7)
- You have an NQF Level with two of the required official languages
- You have an incomplete Senior Certificate (SC) qualification
- You are over 21-years-old but have an incomplete National Senior Certificate (NSC)
Candidates must meet 1 or all of the above requirements in order to apply for the Department of Education’s Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP).
Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP): How to Apply
Learners and adults looking to apply for the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) can register for free by visiting a provincial education office, or by registering online via the eservices.gov.za portal.
To register for the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) online, all you have to do is:
- Visit eservices.gov.za
- Complete the registration form
- Submit your supporting documents
The supporting documents that you’ll need in order to register for the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) are:
- Certificated copy of your ID, birth certificate or passport
- Your previous highest qualification (if you’re a repeating candidate)
- Examination numbers of your previous Grade 12 exams or equivalent (if applicable)
Once you’ve registered for the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP), all you have to do is wait for your confirmation letter to tell you that you’ve been approved.
Apply for a Matric Rewrite at Elroi Academy
If you’re someone who prefers distance learning and would like to rewrite matric online from anywhere in the world, then Elroi Academy is an excellent choice for you.
Elroi Academy is an online distance education provider that offers Grade 10 to Grade 12 courses, but also specialises in matric rewrites and bridging courses.
Candidates that are eligible for matric rewrites at Elori Academy can be broken up into two categories:
- those who wrote matric after 2007, and
- those who wrote matric before 2007
If you wrote your matric after 2007, you’ll be able to obtain a National Senior Certificate (NSC) through Elroi Academy, whereas if you wrote matric before 2007, you’ll only be able to qualify for a Senior Certificate (SC).
Elroi Academy Matric Rewrite Subjects
Elroi Academy has a variety of subjects available for individuals looking to rewrite their matric in 2023, which you can view below:
- Afrikaans Home Language or First Additional Language
- English Home Language or First Additional Language
- Accounting
- Business Studies
- Computer Applications Technology (CAT)
- Geography
- History
- Life Orientation
- Life Sciences
- Mathematical Literacy
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Tourism
Elroi Academy Matric Rewrite Registration Dates
Elroi Academy’s matric rewrite programme is currently open for 2023 applications. If you’d like to register with Elroi Academy, be sure to use FundiConnect’s discount code and get an additional 20% off all services!
Elroi Academy Matric Rewrite Requirements
To qualify for Elroi Academy’s matric rewrite programmes, you need to have a valid Grade 12 matric certificate or mark statement. In addition, you’ll need the following supporting documents:
- Valid South African ID or passport, or
- Study permit to access the Grade 12 final examination
Elroi Academy Matric Rewrite: How to Apply
Once you’ve met the requirements, it’s time to apply! Thankfully, the application process for Elroi Academy is easy, and all you have to do is:
- Go to the Elroi Academy website
- Complete the “quotation” page
- Accept the terms and agreements
- Provide the person who is in charge of your account’s personal details
- Upload electronic copies of your ID and latest reports
- Follow the prompts
- Make an EFT or deposit payment for the registration fee and submit your proof of payment online
- Submit your enrolment form
Once you’ve registered and made your payment, you’ll get immediate access to Elroi Academy’s content and support portal.
Apply for Matric Rewrite at Matric College
If you’re over the age of 21 and would like a second chance at rewriting your matric, then Matric College may be an ideal choice for you.
Matric College’s exam centres are registered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the courses available are done via distance learning only.
Upon completion of Matric College’s matric rewrite course, you will receive an accredited Matric Certificate with a SAQA ID number. A SAQA is a formal recognition of your achievement and is what allows you to gain an NQF Level 4.
Matric College Matric Rewrite Subjects
In terms of matric rewrites, Matric College requires learners to choose from a list of both compulsory and optional subjects*, which can be viewed below.
Compulsory subjects:
- English Home Language
- English 1st Additional Language
- Afrikaans Huistaal (Home Language)
- Afrikaans 1st Additional Language
- isiXhosa 1st Additional Language
- isiZulu 1st Additional Language
- Sepedi 1st Additional Language
- Xitsonga 1st Additional Language
- Ndebele 1st Additional Language
- Sotho 1st Additional Language
- Tshivenda 1st Additional Language
- Siswati 1st Additional Language
- Setswana 1st Additional Language
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
Optional subjects:
- Life Science (Biology)
- Physical Science (Physics and Chemistry)
- Accounting
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Geography
- History
*Matric College allows you to choose as many subjects as you would like, meaning you are not limited to the number of subjects you would like to rewrite.
Matric College Registration Dates
Registrations for matric rewrites at the Matric College are now open and will close on 31 January 2023. This gives adult matric learners only a few short weeks to apply, so be sure to register for a matric rewrite at Matric College today to ensure you don’t miss out.
Matric College Requirements
Individuals looking to rewrite matric through Matric College will need to meet the following requirements in order to qualify:
- You need to have an incomplete matric result, or have your final matric results from Umalusi (this is the council that ensures your certificate is credible)
- You must be 21 years old or older when you write your first exams in May 2023
- You must be able to read and write in either English or Afrikaans
Matric College: How to Apply
The application for matric rewrites at Matric College can be done entirely online, but you’ll need to have your supporting documents ready, which may include:
- Your South African ID number (you must be older than 21 years)
- Your latest school report (from grade 9 onwards)
- A list of subjects you would like to study
- Your personal details (name, surname, district, proof of residence)
- 2 colour ID photos
Once you’ve gathered your documentation, you can apply for a matric rewrite at Matric College online by following these steps:
- Visit the Matric College website
- Fill in the registration form
- Wait for a call back from one of Matric College’s adult matric experts
- Choose your subjects, select your payment plan and register over the phone
- Get your application processed and start studying within a mere three days of your registration!
FundiConnect’s Top Tips for Matric Rewrites
Writing your matric exams is the first step towards getting qualified for your degree! This is an exciting time, but can also be incredibly stressful.
That’s why we’ve compiled our top tips for acing your matric rewrites in 2023:
Manage Your Mental Health
Managing your mental health is the best way to avoid burnout while you’re studying. Be sure to take care of your mental health by eating healthy food, exercising, taking regular study breaks and talking to someone you trust.
You can find more tips on how to manage your mental health during exams in our guide.
Learn How to Study Effectively
Knowing how to study effectively for your exams not only increases your academic performance but also decreases exam stress.
If you’re wondering how to get the best out of your studies, then look no further than our top 11 tips for studying effectively for exams. From using past exam papers to creating a study plan, this article has everything you need to know to ace your matric rewrites!
Start Exam Preparation Early
There’s no better way to prepare yourself for matric exams than to start early. Ensure that you’re prepared for your matric rewrites with our ultimate guide to studying for matric exams.
In our ultimate guide, you’ll discover practical tips and tools that you can use to aid your studies during your matric rewrites.
Fund Your Studies with Fundi
Once you’ve passed your final matric exams, and received your matric results, you’ll be well on your way to furthering your education and achieving your dreams.
If college or university is the next step, you may be looking to fund your studies. Luckily, Fundi can help! Fundi offers students funding that covers all their educational needs—from accommodation and tuition fees to technical devices.
Eager to find out if you qualify for a Fundi loan? Then be sure to check out the Fundi Loan Calculator and start your academic journey today!
