2025 IEB matric results: All matriculants qualify for post-school study
The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has announced the results of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, achieving an overall pass rate of 98.31%.
Image: File: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) announced an overall pass rate of 98.31% for the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations according to an official statement.
The pass rate and other information was released on Monday. All pupils qualified for post-school study at one of three levels:
- 89.12% achieved entry to degree study, compared to 89.37% in 2024.
- 7.83% qualified for diploma study, compared to 7.56% in 2024.
- 1.34% achieved entry to Higher Certificate study, compared to 1.53% in 2024.
- 0.02% achieved an endorsed NSC.
Commenting on the slight dip in the pass rate to 98.31% from 98.47% in the 2024, Confidence Dikgole, CEO of the IEB, said: “As the IEB continues to grow – welcoming new schools, expanding geographically, and examining a larger and more diverse cohort – small fluctuations in aggregate pass rates are both statistically expected and internationally observed in stable assessment systems. What is important is that performance levels remain consistently high, standards are maintained, and access to degree study remains strong.”
Dikgole adds, “In a context of sustained growth and changing learning environments, the consistency of these results is, in fact, reassuring.”
Beyond degree entries, the results breakdown is as follows:
Diploma study: Nearly 8% of candidates qualified.
Higher Certificate study: Approximately 1.3% achieved entry.
Endorsed National Senior Certificate: A very small number of candidates obtained this qualification.
More than 17,400 candidates sat for the examinations across South Africa.
Gauteng recorded the highest participation, with candidates coming from 114 schools.
KwaZulu-Natal contributed 2 448 candidates to the total from 38 schools, while Northern Cape had the lowest participation, with only three schools involved.
The IEB recognised 161 pupils for outstanding academic performance, noting that these students ranked in the top 5% across six subjects. Reports also indicate these students achieved distinctions in all their subjects.
For candidates wishing to challenge their results, the closing date for remark applications is January 30. These results will be released on March 4, pending approval from Umalusi.
While the IEB outcomes have been publicised, the broader national picture will be clarified later on Monday evening when Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announces the national matric results for 2025 in Gauteng. Individual results for the national public school cohort are scheduled for publication on Tuesday.