How to calculate APS

If you are planning to study at a university in South Africa, understanding how to calculate your Admission Point Score (APS) is important. Your APS is a key factor in university admissions and helps the university determine if you qualify for the specific course or not. In this articles we will show you step by step how to calculate an aps. 

How to Calculate Admission Point Scores (APS) in South Africa

Before delving much into how you can calculate admission point score it is important to understand what an admission point score is, the Admission Point Score (aps) is a numerical value used by South African universities to assess applicants. It is calculated based on your grade 12) results and is often used to determine whether you meet the minimum requirements for a specific course.

A step by step guide on how to calculate admission point score (aps) in South Africa

First things first, your APS is calculated by adding the levels of your best six subjects. This includes:

• Languages (Home Language and First Additional Language)
• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
• three other subjects: These can include any approved subject like Physical Science, Life Sciences, History, Tourism, Business Studies, Geography, CAT, Consumer Studies, etc.
• NB: Life Orientation is not calculated when calculating admission point score BUT there are few universities in South Africa that consider Life Orientation when it comes to calculating admission point score.
• If you did 8 subjects in grade 12 it is important to note that when calculating aps you ONLY add 6 best subject, not seven.

Here is a clear example of how to go about calculating your aps:

 Scenario 1: 
 

Sibusiso is going to calculate his admission point score by adding the levels of his six subjects. He is not going to count Life Orientation because when calculating the admission point score Life Orientation MUST not be included. 

Isizulu Home Language: Level 4 PLUS English Home Language: Level 5 PLUS Mathematics: Level 6 PLUS Physical Sciences: Level 4 PLUS Life Sciences: Level 7 PLUS Geography: Level 5 = 31. This means that Sibusiso Admission Point Score (aps) is 31.

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Scenario 2: 
 

Alicia is going to calculate her admission point score by adding the levels of her best six subjects. She is not going to count Life Orientation and Physical Sciences. Physical Sciences is the lowest subject and on the other hand Life Orientation is not included when calculating the admission point score.  

Afrikaans Home Language: Level 7 PLUS English Home Language: Level 6 PLUS Mathematics: Level 6 PLUS Physical Sciences: Level 4 PLUS Life Sciences: Level 5 PLUS Geography: Level 5 PLUS Drama: Level 7  = 36. This means that Alicia Admission Point Score (aps) is 36.

Other ways of calculating the Admission Point Score 

The above way of calculating the admission point score is the most popular one but that is not the only way of calculating aps. Universities such as University of Cape Town, Nelson Mandela University and Stellenbosch have their own method of calculating the admission point score. It is significant to check with the university you are applying to which method they use to calculate an aps. 

How to calculate University of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela University APS:

UCT and NMU admission point score is calculated differently. It is calculated by adding the percentages of the best six school subjects excluding Life Orientation for example, 

Grade 12 Results:

Isizulu Home Language: 53% (Level 4) 

English Home Language: 60% (Level 5)

Mathematics: 76% (Level 6)

Physical Sciences: 59% (Level 4)

Life Sciences: 82% (Level 7)

Geography: 67% (Level 5)

Life Orientation: 90% (Level 7)

APS Calculations: Isizulu Home Language: 53% PLUS English Home Language: 60% PLUS Mathematics: 76% PLUS Physical Sciences: 59% PLUS Life Sciences: 82% PLUS Geography: 67% = 397. The admission point score in this case is 397.  

How to calculate Stellenbosch University APS:

Stellenbosch University admission point score is calculated differently. It is calculated in a form of averages by adding all the percentages of six best school subjects excluding Life Orientation and divide the percentages by 600 and thereafter multiply by 100. For example;

Grade 12 Results:

Isizulu Home Language: 53% (Level 4) 

English Home Language: 60% (Level 5)

Mathematics: 76% (Level 6)

Physical Sciences: 59% (Level 4)

Life Sciences: 82% (Level 7)

Geography: 67% (Level 5)

Life Orientation: 90% (Level 7)

APS Calculations: Isizulu Home Language: 53% PLUS English Home Language: 60% PLUS Mathematics: 76% PLUS Physical Sciences: 59% PLUS Life Sciences: 82% PLUS Geography: 67% = 397. 

397/600x100 = 66% Average. The admission point score for this case is 66% Average.  

Check University Requirements

Different universities and courses may have specific APS requirements. Always check the course requirements for the universities you are interested in. For admission to university, unfortunately aps is not the only factor. You need to ensure that you meet other minimum admission requirements such as subjects requirements. For example you can have the required 31 aps but fail to have the required 50% in Mathematics, this simply means that you don't qualify even though you have the required aps of 31. 

For certain courses especially under the arts and humanities faculty may require a portfolio, interview or a test as part of the admission process. Again it is important to emphasise that almost all universities require a 50% pass in languages. Even if you meet the required APS, failure to achieve this language proficiency will disqualify you from applying."

Calculating your Admission Point Score (APS) is a straightforward process, but it’s crucial for your university application in South Africa. By understanding how to calculate your aps, you can easily check if your meet requirements for various courses. Always check with the universities for specific requirements and ensure you meet all the criteria for your desired course.