Grade 11 Pass Requirements in South Africa 2025 – 2026

Grade 11 is the most important preparation year before Grade 12. Your marks in Grade 11 influence subject choices, university plans, bursary applications, school promotions, and readiness for the final matric exams. Many universities and bursary providers also look at Grade 11 results when considering provisional acceptance. That is why understanding the Grade 11 pass requirements is just as important as knowing the matric rules.

This page also has a calculator you can use to check whether you passed or failed based on your Grade 11 marks. It works for the 2025 year-end exams and the 2026 academic year, because the promotion policy stays the same.

What Is the Requirement to Pass Grade 11?

Grade 11 uses the same subject structure as Grade 12. Every learner must offer seven subjects:

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

To be promoted from Grade 11 to Grade 12, you must achieve the following:

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

The promotion requirements for Grade 11 are very similar to the National Senior Certificate. The only difference is that Grade 11 does not classify you into Higher Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor pass levels. Instead, it focuses on whether you qualify to move to Grade 12.

The Four Reference Levels Used to Measure Grade 11 Results

Even though Grade 11 does not award an official NSC pass level, schools and learners still use the NSC structure to understand performance. These levels give learners a clear picture of where their marks stand before Grade 12.

1. Higher Certificate Range (Reference Level)

This range shows that you meet the minimum achievement level used for Higher Certificate entry in Grade 12. It includes:

• 40 percent in your Home Language,
• 40 percent in two other subjects,
• 30 percent in the remaining subjects.

Learners sitting in this range must improve for Diploma or Bachelor entry in Grade 12.

2. Diploma Range (Reference Level)

This range indicates you are close to meeting Diploma entry standards:

• 40 percent in your Home Language,
• 40 percent in at least four other subjects,
• 30 percent in the rest.

Many colleges and universities consider Grade 11 Diploma-level marks for provisional acceptance.

3. Bachelor Range (Reference Level)

This shows that you are performing at the same level needed for a Bachelor pass in matric:

• 40 percent in Home Language,
• 50 percent in four designated subjects,
• 30 percent in the rest.

Bachelor-range marks in Grade 11 are strongly linked to full university access in Grade 12.

4. General Promotion (NSC Reference Level)

This is the minimum for promotion to Grade 12.

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

Pass Mark Requirements Per Grade 11 Subject

Home Language Requirements

You must achieve at least 40 percent to be promoted.

First Additional Language Requirements

You must achieve at least 30 percent.

Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy Requirements

You need at least 30 percent to meet the minimum standard.
Subjects like Accounting, Physical Sciences, Engineering Graphics and Design, and Information Technology usually require higher marks for Grade 12 success.

Life Orientation Requirements

Minimum 40 percent.

Chosen Subjects Requirements

Each of the three chosen subjects requires at least 30 percent, unless you use them to meet the 40 percent requirement.

Comparison Reference Table for Grade 11 Performance Levels

Performance Range	Home Language	Subject Requirements	Meaning
Higher Certificate Range	40 percent	Two subjects at 40 percent, three at 30 percent	Minimum promotion standard
Diploma Range	40 percent	Four subjects at 40 percent	Good for college and university provisional interest
Bachelor Range	40 percent	Four subjects at 50 percent	Meets Grade 12 Bachelor patterns
General Promotion	40 percent	Three subjects at 40 percent, three at 30 percent	Required to pass Grade 11

You can add your Grade 11 pass-or-fail calculator here.

How to Prepare for Grade 12 While in Grade 11

Many learners worry about how to get ready for Grade 12. These steps help you meet Bachelor-level performance before your final year.

• Use past exam papers to understand question styles.
• Study your weakest subject at least twice a week instead of once.
• Do not rely only on notes. Practise solving problems using marking guidelines.
• Speak to your teachers about which of your subjects count as designated subjects.
• Write summaries for each chapter as you finish it.
• Track your term marks to see if you are improving or dropping.
• Focus on subjects that affect APS scores later.

Grade 11 is the perfect year for practising exam timing. The more papers you complete, the easier Grade 12 becomes.

What Are the Official Pass Requirements for Grade 11 Subjects?

These requirements apply in all South African schools:

• You must pass six out of seven subjects,
• A minimum of 40 percent in Home Language,
• At least 40 percent in two additional subjects,
• At least 30 percent in three other subjects.

Schools cannot promote learners who do not meet these rules, even if the learner performed well in some subjects.

Senior Certificate Link for Adult Learners

Some learners who struggle in Grade 11 later move toward Adult Matric. The Senior Certificate is offered through the Second Chance Matric Programme. The Senior Certificate uses similar rules to Grade 11 and Grade 12, but your final result depends only on exam marks.

Many learners return after Grade 11 to complete Adult Matric through:

• DBE centres,
• TVET colleges,
• Private colleges offering SC preparation.

APS and Grade 11 Provisional University Acceptance

Most universities use Grade 11 marks for:

• Provisional acceptance,
• Bursary shortlisting,
• Early review for competitive courses such as Medicine, Engineering, and Commerce.

Your APS score is calculated using Grade 11 marks just as it is in Grade 12. Courses at universities such as Wits, UJ, TUT, CPUT, UP, UKZN, UNISA, and UWC consider Grade 11 performance for early decisions.

This means your Grade 11 results already decide the kind of Bachelor degrees you will qualify for in Grade 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the requirement to pass Grade 11?
You need 40 percent in your Home Language, 40 percent in two additional subjects, and 30 percent in three more subjects.

Do Grade 11 marks count for university?
Yes. Universities use Grade 11 marks for provisional acceptance.

What is the pass mark for English in Grade 11?
At least 40 percent for Home Language and at least 30 percent for First Additional Language.

How many subjects must you pass in Grade 11?
You must pass at least six out of seven subjects.

Is the Grade 11 pass requirement the same as Grade 12?
Yes, the structure is the same, but Grade 11 does not award Higher Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor passes. Those levels only apply in Grade 12.

Final Summary

Grade 11 is the foundation for everything that happens in Grade 12. Your marks affect your university choices, bursaries, APS scores, and career direction. The Grade 11 pass requirements are simple, but if you want Bachelor-level opportunities in Grade 12, you must aim for high marks and consistent performance.

This page includes a Grade 11 calculator that helps you check if you passed or failed. Enter your seven marks and the system will instantly show your promotion status based on the 2025 and 2026 rules.