How to Combine Matric Results into One Certificate

Many students who rewrite matric subjects wonder how to consolidate their old and new results into a single Matric Certificate. In South Africa, this process is known as applying for a replacement certificate (or combining results). Umalusi – the Council for Quality Assurance in Education – will issue a new National Senior Certificate (NSC) reflecting your best results once you meet certain criteria. This article explains when and how you can combine matric results, the requirements for different pass levels, and what to expect during the process.

What Does “Combining Matric Results” Mean?

“Combining matric results” means merging the outcomes of two or more examination sittings into one comprehensive certificate . If you wrote your Grade 12 (matric) exams in more than one session (for example, your initial matric exam and a matric rewrite or upgrade), you might have multiple result documents. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) or your assessment body does not automatically merge these; you must apply for a combined certificate, which Umalusi issues as a replacement NSC certificate containing all your best results . This new certificate replaces your older one and shows your highest achieved status (such as a Diploma or Bachelor’s pass) along with the best marks obtained in each subject.

However, not everyone who rewrites qualifies for a combined certificate. Umalusi’s policy is that results will only be combined if the new results improve your qualification status . In other words, you can only get a replacement certificate if your latest scores elevate your matric pass level (for example, from a fail to a pass, or from a lower pass like Higher Certificate to a higher pass like Bachelor’s). If there is no change in your NSC pass status, Umalusi will not issue a new combined certificate . In such cases, you will keep your original certificate and use your new results on a separate document (explained later).

Understanding NSC Pass Levels and Requirements

To know whether your new results “improve” your certificate, you need to understand the different pass levels for the National Senior Certificate. South African matric certificates are issued with one of three pass statuses (if you passed): Higher Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor’s Degree pass. Each level has specific minimum requirements:

 

• • Higher Certificate Pass:

     

    • • At least 40% in your Home Language
    • • At least 40% in two other subjects
    • • At least 30% in four other subjects
    • • Must pass at least 6 of the 7 subjects (you are allowed one failure if the rest meet the criteria)

• • Diploma Pass:

     

    • • At least 40% in your Home Language
    • • At least 40% in three other subjects (excluding Life Orientation)
    • • At least 30% in the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) of the tertiary institution (typically English or Afrikaans)
    • • Must pass at least 6 of the 7 subjects

• • Bachelor’s Degree Pass:

     

    • • At least 40% in your Home Language (compulsory)
    • • At least 50% in four other subjects (excluding Life Orientation)
    • • At least 30% in the LOLT of the tertiary institution (if not already counted among the above subjects)
    • • At least 30% in one other subject (this implies you need 6 subjects passed, since one subject can be below 30%)
    • • Must pass at least 6 of the 7 subjects in total

If you meet only the Higher Certificate criteria, your NSC will be issued as a Higher Certificate pass. Meeting Diploma requirements yields a Diploma pass, and meeting Bachelor’s requirements yields a Bachelor’s pass (also called matric exemption). If you failed to meet the Higher Certificate level, you would not receive an NSC certificate at all – instead, Umalusi issues a Subject Statement listing the subjects you did pass (this happens when a candidate fails matric) .

Who Should Apply to Combine Matric Results?

You should consider applying for a combined (replacement) matric certificate only if your new exam results actually upgrade your qualification to a higher level or allow you to obtain an NSC when you previously didn’t have one. Common scenarios include:

 

• • Previously failed matric, now passed: Perhaps you failed one or more subjects in your first matric attempt and did not receive an NSC. After rewriting, if you have now passed enough subjects to qualify for an NSC, you can combine your results. Umalusi will issue a new NSC certificate since you have met the requirements for at least a Higher Certificate pass.

• • Higher Certificate pass to Diploma/Bachelor’s: If your original matric was a Higher Certificate pass and after upgrading certain subjects you now meet the Diploma or Bachelor’s pass criteria, you are eligible for a replacement certificate reflecting the higher status.

• • Diploma pass to Bachelor’s: Similarly, if you initially obtained a Diploma pass and your rewritten subjects lift you to a Bachelor’s degree pass, you should apply to combine results. The new certificate will show “Bachelor’s pass” as your qualification status.

In each of the above cases, the combined certificate will list your best subject results from the multiple sessions and indicate the highest NSC level you achieved . This single certificate makes it easier to show employers or universities your complete achievement.

When should you not combine results? If you already obtained a Bachelor’s pass in your first sitting, rewriting subjects will not change your overall NSC status (Bachelor’s is the highest level) . In this case, Umalusi will not issue a new combined certificate because “there is no better result than a Bachelor pass” . Any improved marks or additional subjects you complete will be reflected on a separate Umalusi Certificate called a Subject Statement. You will need to present both your original Bachelor’s NSC certificate and the new results statement when applying to tertiary institutions or jobs. Universities do accept this, since your highest qualification (Bachelor’s NSC) is already secured, and the additional subjects/marks can be verified in the official records. In short, you can only combine results if it changes your NSC pass level or fills requirements to earn the NSC; otherwise, you will keep multiple documents.

How to Apply for a Combined Matric Certificate (Replacement Certificate)

If you qualify for a replacement certificate, the application process is straightforward but requires you to follow the guidelines of your assessment body (the examining authority through which you wrote your exams). Here are the general steps to combine your matric results:

 

1. 1. Obtain the Application Form: Visit the website or office of the assessment body through which you wrote your exams to get the “Application for Combination of Results” form. For example, if you wrote through the Department of Basic Education (DBE) public exams, you can get the form from the DBE or your provincial education department. If you wrote through a private assessment body like SACAI or the IEB, download the combination application form from their site . (For instance, SACAI provides a downloadable form on their website .)

1. 1. Gather Required Documents: Along with the completed form, you will need to submit a set of supporting documents. These typically include:

       

      • • A certified copy of your ID or passport .
      • • Copies of all Statements of Results you have from each exam sitting (the result slips you received after each exam period).
      • • Copies of all existing matric certificates or subject certificates issued by Umalusi . This is critical – each certificate has a unique barcode/serial number that is required to process the combination. No combination can be done without these Umalusi certificates from your previous attempts . For example, if you already have one NSC certificate (or a Subject Statement from a failed attempt), include a copy of it. If your most recent rewrite was very recent and the official certificate for it hasn’t been issued yet, you can use the provisional Statement of Results for that exam session in the meantime.

1. 1. Pay the Applicable Fees: There is a fee for issuing a replacement certificate. As of 2025, the Department of Basic Education charges R170 for a replacement NSC certificate, and an additional R60 if you also request a printed Statement of Results with the new certificate . (Fees may be updated annually by Umalusi/DBE, so check the latest amount on the form or website.) Keep the proof of payment, as you’ll need to attach it to your application.

1. 1. Submit Your Application: Submit the form and all documents to the appropriate office. If you are combining through DBE, you have options to apply online via the e-Government portal or to hand in documents at your nearest provincial education district office . For SACAI (if you wrote through SACAI), applications are typically emailed to their certification department (for example, SACAI’s form specifies emailing the documents to their certification email address) . Ensure you follow the instructions specific to your assessment body. If submitting in person, take originals with you in case they need verification.

1. 1. Wait for Processing: Once submitted, the assessment body will verify your documents and forward your request to Umalusi for processing. Be patient – combining results and issuing a new certificate takes some time. The processing time can range from about 4 to 8 weeks under normal circumstances , up to around 3 months in some cases (SACAI advises approximately 12 weeks once all documents are in) . The timeline often depends on when the latest exam certificates become available. Note: If you applied before your new exam’s certificate was ready (using only the statement of results), the 12-week clock for processing will likely only start once Umalusi issues the pending certificate and all required docs are in hand .

1. 1. Obtain Confirmation (if needed): If you need proof of your combined results sooner (for example, to meet a university registration deadline), you can request a confirmation letter or combination letter from the assessment body while you wait for the certificate . For instance, SACAI will issue a formal combination letter on request, which reflects the combined results and the new status achieved . You can submit this letter to universities or employers along with your original certificates as evidence that a new Umalusi certificate is in process . Universities generally accept this interim proof so you can enroll, but they will expect you to provide the actual certificate once it’s available.

1. 1. Receive Your New Certificate: Umalusi prints and issues the replacement National Senior Certificate after approving the combination. The new certificate will usually be sent to the institution or exam center where you wrote your exams (e.g., your school, college, or learning centre). Timing: NSC certificates for exams written in November are typically released by mid-year of the following year (often around June or July) , and those for June exams a bit later in the year. When your combined certificate is ready, you will be notified to collect it. Remember: Umalusi certificates are valuable documents – in many cases you must collect them in person and sign for them (or arrange a trusted courier), especially with bodies like SACAI that require collection from their offices for security reasons .

Using Separate Statements vs. Combined Certificate

If you were not eligible for a combined certificate (for example, you already had a Bachelor’s pass), or you chose not to combine, you will end up with multiple documents: your original NSC certificate and one or more Statements of Results or Subject Statements from your rewrite. Here’s what you need to know in this scenario:

 

• • A Statement of Results is the temporary result slip issued shortly after an exam period (e.g., in January after the November exams) . It lists your subjects and marks for that sitting and is typically stamped by the exam authority. While it shows your performance, it is not a formal certificate . It serves as interim proof of results until the official certificate is issued later in the year.

• • A Subject Statement (also called a Subject Certificate) is an official Umalusi document issued if you did not qualify for a full NSC. It lists only the subjects you passed and has the Umalusi crest and barcode . For example, if a candidate failed matric, Umalusi issues a Subject Statement for the passed subjects. Similarly, if you already have an NSC and you take additional subjects separately (not to complete a new NSC, just extra subjects), Umalusi may issue a Subject Statement for those. Subject Statements are authentic certificates in their own right, but they do not confer an overall matric pass – they are like transcripts of individual achievements.

• • Universities and colleges will accept your separate documents. If you improved your marks or added subjects, you can submit your original NSC certificate (showing your Bachelor’s pass, for instance) together with the Statement of Results or Subject Statement for your new subjects. Admissions offices have ways to verify results through the national database (Umalusi and the Department of Education share updated records with Universities South Africa). As long as the documents are official and certified, you won’t be disadvantaged by not having everything on one piece of paper. The key is that you already meet the minimum NSC requirement for university admission (which a Bachelor’s pass does). The additional subjects or higher marks on a separate statement can then be used to meet specific faculty or course requirements.

In summary, don’t panic if you cannot combine because your status stayed the same – just use both your original certificate and the new results statement in all applications. They carry the same weight for admission purposes as a combined certificate would. Only pursue a replacement certificate if it’s truly needed to reflect a change in your qualification.

Support and Guidance from Elroi Academy 

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Combining matric results can feel complicated, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Elroi Academy, we strive to make this process as smooth as possible for our matric upgrade students. Our team assists students with applying for their combined results by providing the necessary forms and guidance on filling them out correctly. We help gather and certify the required documents and will submit the application to the appropriate assessment body on the student’s behalf when possible.

We also track the progress of the application, keeping students updated on the status of their replacement certificate. Once Umalusi approves and issues the new certificate, it is delivered to Elroi Academy (as the registered exam centre for our students). We then ensure our students receive their certificates promptly – in fact, we offer to courier the matric certificate to them free of charge (conditions apply). This dedicated support means our students can focus on their next steps (such as university registration) while we handle the paperwork and follow-ups involved in combining their results.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading your matric results is a commendable step toward better opportunities. Combining those results into one certificate can simplify your credentials and officially recognize your improved achievements. Remember that you can only combine if it changes your qualification status or earns you a complete NSC – but even if it doesn’t, your improved subject results are still valuable and recognized when presented with your original certificate.

By understanding the requirements and following the proper application process, you’ll obtain the documents you need to pursue higher education or career opportunities. If you’re unsure or need help, reach out to your school or institutions like Elroi Academy for guidance. With the right support, the process of getting a replacement matric certificate (or using your separate result statements) will be manageable and well worth the effort for your future endeavors.