How to Calculate APS Score with Maths Literacy: Your Complete Guide

Key Takeaways

• Full Points Awarded: Mathematical Literacy carries the exact same APS point value as any other standard high school subject on the 7-point scale. A level 5 in Maths Lit gives you 5 APS points.
• Faculty Rules Matter: Even if your total APS is high, you will be rejected from Science, Engineering, and strict Commerce degrees that specifically demand Pure Mathematics.
• Higher Entrance Requirements: Many universities that accept Maths Literacy will require you to achieve a much higher percentage (e.g., Level 6) compared to students taking Pure Maths (who might only need a Level 4) for the same course.
• Exclude Life Orientation: When calculating your total score for university admission, you must generally leave out Life Orientation, regardless of whether you take Maths or Maths Lit.
• Plenty of Opportunities: You can still study Law, Education, Humanities, Nursing, and Human Resources at top universities with Mathematical Literacy.

One of the most common worries among high school students in South Africa revolves around choosing Mathematical Literacy. There is a persistent myth that dropping Pure Mathematics will destroy your chances of getting into university. Students are often told that “Maths Lit doesn’t count” or that “universities cut your Maths Lit points in half.”

Let us clear up the confusion immediately: Mathematical Literacy is a fully recognized, official National Senior Certificate (NSC) subject. It generates Admission Point Score (APS) points exactly like History, Geography, or English.

However, how universities use those points depends entirely on the specific degree you want to study. Knowing how to correctly calculate your APS score with Maths Literacy—and understanding the hidden rules that different university faculties apply—is the secret to applying successfully and avoiding rejection.

In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the calculation in simple English, show you a step-by-step example, and outline exactly what career paths remain wide open for you.

Understanding the Basic APS Point System

Before we look at the specific rules for Mathematical Literacy, you must understand how the baseline APS system works.

Every university in South Africa uses a standard conversion table to turn your high school percentages into points. Your final Matric certificate will have seven subjects. Most universities will take your six best subjects (excluding Life Orientation) and add their points together. This total number is your APS.

Here is the standard national conversion table. Whether you are looking at your mark for Mathematical Literacy or your mark for Business Studies, the conversion remains exactly the same.

Standard NSC APS Conversion Table

As you can see in the table above, if you score 65% in Mathematical Literacy, you receive 5 APS points. If a student taking Pure Mathematics also scores 65%, they also receive 5 APS points toward their total score. On a surface level, the points are identical.

Step-by-Step Example: Calculating Your Score

Let us look at a practical example to show you exactly how to calculate your total score if you are a Mathematical Literacy student.

Imagine a Grade 12 student named Thandi. She has received her final trial exam results and wants to know if she qualifies to study a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology at the University of Johannesburg, which requires a minimum APS of 27.

Here is Thandi’s report card:

1. English Home Language: 72%
2. IsiZulu First Additional Language: 81%
3. Mathematical Literacy: 68%
4. Life Orientation: 85%
5. History: 74%
6. Tourism: 61%
7. Life Sciences: 55%

Step 1: Convert Percentages to Points

Using Table 1, Thandi converts her percentages:

• English (72%) = 6 points
• IsiZulu (81%) = 7 points
• Mathematical Literacy (68%) = 5 points
• Life Orientation (85%) = 7 points
• History (74%) = 6 points
• Tourism (61%) = 5 points
• Life Sciences (55%) = 4 points

Step 2: Remove Life Orientation

Almost all public universities in South Africa (such as UJ, Wits, UP, and CPUT) do not count Life Orientation in the final APS calculation. We must remove Thandi’s 7 points for LO.

Step 3: Add the Remaining Six Subjects

Now, Thandi adds up the points for her six core subjects:

6 (English) + 7 (IsiZulu) + 5 (Maths Lit) + 6 (History) + 5 (Tourism) + 4 (Life Sciences) = 33 Points.

Thandi’s final APS is 33. Because the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology requires 27 points, Thandi has more than enough points to apply. Her 5 points for Mathematical Literacy were counted in full, without any penalties.

The Catch: How Faculties Actually View Maths Literacy

If Maths Literacy gives you the exact same points, why do people say it is a disadvantage?

The problem is not with your total APS score; the problem lies in faculty-specific subject requirements. Universities have two rules you must pass to get accepted:

1. You must meet the total minimum APS score.
2. You must meet the minimum level for specific subjects.

This is where the difference between Pure Maths and Maths Lit becomes massive. Faculties that rely heavily on complex calculations, physics, and advanced financial modeling will simply block applicants who do not have Pure Mathematics, regardless of how high their total APS is.

Furthermore, degrees that do accept Mathematical Literacy will often demand a much higher percentage to prove you have basic numerical competency. For example, to study a BCom in Human Resources, a university might state: “Requires an APS of 28, with a Level 4 (50%) in Pure Mathematics OR a Level 6 (70%) in Mathematical Literacy.”

University Degrees That Accept vs. Reject Maths Literacy

To help you plan your future, here is a general guide to which popular university degrees will accept Mathematical Literacy, and which ones will strictly reject it.

What Happens if You Are Rejected Because of Maths Lit?

If you receive your final Matric results and realize that your dream course strictly requires Pure Mathematics, or that your Mathematical Literacy mark was too low to meet the specific faculty requirements, you should not panic. You have several alternative pathways to reach your career goals.

1. Register for a Bridging Course or Higher Certificate

If you want to study a Bachelor’s Degree but your Maths Lit mark is blocking you, look at studying a Higher Certificate first. A Higher Certificate is a one-year qualification that has much lower entrance requirements. If you pass a Higher Certificate in a related field, many universities will allow you to transfer into the first year of the full degree, bypassing your original high school Maths Lit marks.

2. Apply for a Diploma Instead of a Degree

Universities of Technology (like TUT, CPUT, and DUT) offer National Diplomas. Diplomas are highly practical and generally have much softer requirements regarding Mathematics. For example, while a traditional university might demand Pure Maths for an IT degree, a University of Technology will often accept a high level of Mathematical Literacy for an IT Diploma.

3. Upgrade to Pure Mathematics

If your heart is absolutely set on becoming an engineer, an architect, or a chartered accountant, you cannot avoid Pure Mathematics. In this case, your best option is to formally upgrade your subject. You can register for the mid-year adult exams, drop Mathematical Literacy, and study the Pure Mathematics syllabus. It will take an extra year of hard work, but it will unlock the science and commerce faculties for you.

4. Pivot to TVET Colleges

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges focus on equipping students with practical trades and workplace skills. The vast majority of Nated (N4-N6) courses at TVET colleges—such as Business Management, Educare, and Public Management—readily accept Mathematical Literacy.

Summary

Learning how to calculate APS score with Maths Literacy is straightforward: it uses the exact same 1-to-7 point scale as any other subject, and those points count fully toward your total admission score. The crucial difference lies in what specific universities demand for specific courses. While Mathematical Literacy will disqualify you from hard sciences, engineering, and advanced finance, it leaves the doors wide open for fulfilling careers in law, education, the humanities, and nursing. If you have run your calculation and find that your total points are lower than you hoped, do not let that stop you. We highly recommend reading our detailed guide on the best courses you can do with an APS score of 15 to explore all the amazing diploma and certificate options available to you right now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do universities cut my Mathematical Literacy points in half?

No. This is a very common myth. Your APS points are not cut in half. If you score 65% (Level 5), you get 5 points added to your total APS. However, certain universities (like NMU) use their own unique point systems instead of the standard APS, which may weigh subjects differently, but on the national APS scale, the points are fully counted.

Can I become a teacher with Mathematical Literacy?

Yes, absolutely. You can study a Bachelor of Education (BEd) in the Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase, or even the Senior Phase with Mathematical Literacy. The only time you cannot is if you specifically want to train as a high school Pure Mathematics or Physical Science teacher.

Is it better to get 80% for Maths Lit or 40% for Pure Maths?

For your total APS, 80% in Maths Lit gives you 7 points, while 40% in Pure Maths only gives you 3 points. If you are applying for a degree in Humanities or Law, the 7 points from Maths Lit are far more valuable. However, if you are applying for Engineering, the 80% in Maths Lit is useless because the faculty will only accept the Pure Maths mark, even if it is lower.

Can I study IT or Computer Science with Mathematical Literacy?

At traditional universities (like Wits, UP, or UCT), you cannot study a BSc in Computer Science with Mathematical Literacy. However, you can study an IT Diploma at a University of Technology (like TUT or CPUT) or through private colleges (like Rosebank College) with a good Mathematical Literacy score.

Does Life Orientation count if I take Mathematical Literacy?

No. The rule regarding Life Orientation applies to all students, regardless of their subject choices. Most public universities exclude Life Orientation entirely from the final APS calculation, meaning you will only count your remaining six subjects.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and guidance purposes only. APS calculation methods, faculty requirements, and subject weighting can change annually. Always verify the exact admission requirements, minimum subject levels, and specific faculty rules directly with your chosen university’s official prospectus before applying.

Shadrach Aliu

Educational Strategist & Publisher.

Shadrach Aliu bridges the gap between Matric results and university dreams. As a dedicated digital publisher, he personally audits higher education admission protocols and university prospectuses to ensure the data on apsscore.com is mathematically accurate and accessible. His mission is to cut through the confusion of the admission process and provide students with clear, actionable pathways.