Grade 10 Pass Requirements in South Africa 2025 – 2026

Grade 10 is the beginning of the Further Education and Training phase. This is where learners choose subjects that will follow them all the way to Grade 12. These subjects also determine future university access, TVET College opportunities, and career paths. That is why understanding the Grade 10 pass requirements is very important, because your Grade 10 performance influences your choices for Grade 11 and Grade 12.

This page also includes a calculator that helps you check whether you passed or failed Grade 10. It is designed for the 2025 year-end exams and will still be accurate for 2026, because the CAPS promotion requirements do not change.

What Is the Requirement to Pass Grade 10?

Grade 10 follows the official promotion requirements set by the Department of Basic Education. Learners must offer seven subjects, which include:

• One Home Language,
• One First Additional Language,
• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy,
• Life Orientation,
• Three chosen subjects.

To pass Grade 10 and be promoted to Grade 11, you need:

• 40 percent in your Home Language,
• 40 percent in two additional subjects,
• 30 percent in three other subjects,
• You must pass six out of the seven subjects.

These rules apply to all public and independent schools that follow the CAPS curriculum.

The Four Reference Levels Used to Understand Grade 10 Performance

Grade 10 does not award official NSC pass levels such as Higher Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor. These only apply in Grade 12.
However, teachers and parents use these ranges to understand whether the learner is on track for Grade 12.

1. Higher Certificate Range (Reference Level)

This shows that the learner meets only the minimum requirements.

• 40 percent in Home Language,
• 40 percent in two subjects,
• 30 percent in three subjects.

Learners performing here need improvement if they want diploma or bachelor pathways in the senior phases.

2. Diploma Range (Reference Level)

This indicates that the learner has reached a stronger performance level:

• 40 percent in Home Language,
• 40 percent in four subjects,
• 30 percent in the remaining subjects.

This range prepares learners well for Grade 11 demands.

3. Bachelor Range (Reference Level)

This is the strongest category and matches the pattern needed for Bachelor access in Grade 12.

• 40 percent in Home Language,
• At least 50 percent in four academic subjects,
• 30 percent in the remaining subjects.

Learners here show readiness for challenging Grade 12 paths and university entry.

4. General Promotion (NSC Reference Level)

This is the minimum requirement to move from Grade 10 to Grade 11.

• 40 percent in Home Language,
• 40 percent in two additional subjects,
• 30 percent in three subjects.

You may fail only one subject completely.

Pass Mark Requirements Per Grade 10 Subject

Home Language Requirements

You must achieve 40 percent to pass Home Language.
This includes English HL, Afrikaans HL, isiZulu HL, Setswana HL, isiXhosa HL, Sepedi HL, and others.

First Additional Language Requirements

You need at least 30 percent to pass FAL.

Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy Requirements

You need a minimum of 30 percent.
However, subjects like Physical Sciences, Accounting, and Computer Applications Technology in Grade 11 will be difficult if you remain at the minimum.

Life Orientation Requirements

You need at least 40 percent.

Three Chosen Subjects Requirements

Each of these three subjects requires 30 percent or higher for promotion.
Common subjects include Business Studies, Geography, Economics, Life Sciences, Tourism, Physical Sciences, CAT, and History.

Comparison Reference Table for Grade 10 Performance Levels

Performance Range	Home Language	Other Subject Requirements	Meaning
Higher Certificate Range	40 percent	Two subjects at 40 percent, three at 30 percent	Minimum needed to pass
Diploma Range	40 percent	Four subjects at 40 percent	Good, but still needs growth
Bachelor Range	40 percent	Four subjects at 50 percent	Strong academic pathway
General Promotion	40 percent	Two subjects at 40 percent, three at 30 percent	Official pass requirement

You can place your Grade 10 promotion calculator here.

How to Prepare for Grade 11 While in Grade 10

Grade 10 is where learners often struggle because it has a large jump from Grade 9. Subjects become more detailed and the workload increases.
Here are effective ways to prepare for Grade 11:

• Build strong basics in subjects like Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting, and Geography.
• Practise using past exam papers because they show the structure of assessment.
• Do not rely only on summaries. Solve actual questions.
• Use marking guidelines to understand how marks are allocated.
• Work on reading and interpretation skills because Grade 11 expands on theory.
• Improve time management during tests.
• Check your term marks to ensure you stay above the 40 percent band.

Your Grade 10 report can also affect subject choices. Schools may require certain marks if you want to continue with subjects like Accounting, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics.

What Are the Official Pass Requirements for Grade 10?

These rules apply in every CAPS school in South Africa:

• You must pass six out of seven subjects,
• You must pass Home Language with 40 percent,
• You must pass two other subjects with 40 percent,
• You must pass three subjects with 30 percent,
• You may only fail one subject outright.

School Based Assessment counts heavily in Grade 10. The final mark is made up of both SBA and examination marks according to DBE policy.

Senior Certificate Pathway for Learners Who Struggle

Some learners do not progress from Grade 10. In that case, learners can later complete their matric using Adult Matric, also known as the Senior Certificate. This is offered through the Second Chance Matric Programme.
The Senior Certificate uses similar rules as the NSC, except your final result is based only on your exam marks.

APS and Future University Planning for Grade 10 Learners

Although APS scores are not calculated officially in Grade 10, learners should know that:

• Their Grade 10 subject choices influence what they can study after Grade 12,
• Subjects like Mathematics, Accounting, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences are required for many bachelor degrees,
• Universities such as Wits, UP, UJ, CPUT, DUT, and UKZN use specific subject passes for APS scoring in Grade 12.

This makes Grade 10 subject performance very important.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the requirement to pass Grade 10?
You need 40 percent in your Home Language, 40 percent in two other subjects, and 30 percent in three subjects.

Do I need Mathematics to pass Grade 10?
You need at least 30 percent in either Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy.

Can you fail one subject in Grade 10?
Yes. You may fail only one subject, as long as the other six meet the minimum requirements.

Does Grade 10 count for university?
Not directly, but your subject choices in Grade 10 affect your university options later.

What is the pass mark for English in Grade 10?
You need at least 40 percent if English is your Home Language, and at least 30 percent if English is your First Additional Language.

Final Summary

The Grade 10 pass requirements guide your promotion into Grade 11. You need to pass six out of seven subjects, with specific percentages for Home Language and other subjects. Grade 10 sets the foundation for Grade 11 and Grade 12, especially if you want Bachelor access after matric.

This page includes a calculator that helps you check if you passed or failed based on the official 2025 and 2026 promotion rules. Enter your seven subject marks and instantly see if you qualify for promotion to Grade 11.