Key Takeaways: Your Action Plan
- Immediate Deadline: Remarking closes 27 January 2026.
- Rewrite Registration: Closes 06 February 2026.
- Best Alternative: TVET Colleges (No Matric required for NCV courses).
- The Golden Rule: Do not sit at home doing nothing. Pick a path and register before February.
Seeing “Not Achieved” on your Statement of Results is a heavy blow. It feels like the world has stopped, like your friends are moving forward while you are left behind. But here is the truth that school doesn’t teach you: Failing Matric is a detour, not a dead end.
Every year, thousands of South African students find themselves in this exact position. Many of them go on to become successful business owners, technicians, and even university graduates by taking a different route. The Class of 2025 faced immense pressure, and stumbling now does not define your future.
However, you have a limited window of time to fix this. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) systems for 2026 are already open, and they will close in February. You need to stop panicking and start planning.
Here are the 5 Official Options available to you right now.
Option 1: Request a Remark or Recheck (The “Quick Fix”)
Before you resign yourself to repeating the year, you must be absolutely sure you actually failed. Marking errors happen. If you failed a subject by 1% or 2% (e.g., you got 28% or 29%), it is highly recommended that you apply for a remark.
The Difference:
- Recheck (R30): An official checks if the marks were added up correctly.
- Remark (R120): A senior marker re-reads your entire script to see if you deserve more marks.
Is it worth it?
If you are far from passing (e.g., 15%), a remark is unlikely to help. But if you are on the borderline, that extra 2% can change a “Fail” to a “Pass.”
How to Apply:
- Log in to the www.eservices.gov.za portal.
- Select “Remark/Recheck”.
- Pay the fee online.
- Deadline: You must apply by 27 January 2026.
Option 2: The Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP)
This is the most popular route. The Department of Basic Education runs a massive initiative called the Second Chance Matric Programme. It allows you to rewrite the subjects you failed without having to go back to school and sit in a classroom with Grade 12s.
Who qualifies?
- Anyone who failed a subject in the 2025 NSC exams.
- Anyone who wants to improve their marks (e.g., you passed, but your marks are too low for university).
How it works:
You register as a “Part-Time Candidate.” You study on your own at home, using free study guides and radio/TV broadcasts provided by the Department. You only show up to write the exams.
Exam Dates:
- May/June 2026: This is the primary rewrite session.
- October/November 2026: If you miss the mid-year exams, you can write at the end of the year.
How to Register:
- Online: Visit www.eservices.gov.za
- In-Person: Go to your nearest District Education Office (not your high school).
- Closing Date: Registration for the May/June exams closes on 06 February 2026. If you miss this date, you have to wait until November.
Option 3: The “Matric Upgrade” (Changing Subjects)
Sometimes, the problem isn’t that you didn’t study hard enough; it’s that you chose the wrong subjects.
If you failed Pure Mathematics or Physical Sciences dismally (Level 1), rewriting them might just lead to another failure. A Matric Upgrade allows you to change your subjects. For example, you can drop Physics and pick up Tourism or History, or switch from Pure Math to Math Literacy.
The Catch:
You cannot write new subjects in the May/June session. Because you need time to learn the new syllabus, you will have to write these new subjects in the October/November 2026 exams.
Why do this?
It is better to take an extra 6 months and pass with a Bachelor’s level than to rush a rewrite and fail again. A Matric Upgrade combines your old best marks (from 2025) with your new best marks (from 2026) into a single, stronger certificate.
Option 4: TVET Colleges (The Trade Route)
This is the biggest secret in South African education. You do not actually need a Matric certificate to get a qualification.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges offer courses designed specifically for people who have completed Grade 9, 10, or 11. These are called NCV (National Certificate Vocational) courses.
How NCV Works:
- It is a 3-year course (Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4).
- Level 4 is equivalent to Matric.
- When you finish, you have a trade qualification (like Electrical Engineering, Hospitality, or IT) AND a Matric equivalent.
Why is this better than rewriting?
If you hated academic schooling, rewriting Matric will be torture. NCV courses are practical. You learn how to do things. By the time your friends finish their university degrees, you will have been working and earning money for a year.
Popular NCV Courses:
- Electrical Infrastructure Construction
- Engineering & Related Design
- Management Assistant
- Marketing
- Hospitality & Tourism
Where to apply:
Go to your nearest TVET college (e.g., Sedibeng, Capricorn, False Bay, Majuba) immediately. Registration for NCV courses usually closes in late January.
Option 5: Bridging Courses
If you passed Matric but failed to get the “Bachelor’s Pass” needed for university, a bridging course is your answer.
Many tertiary institutions offer these 6-month to 1-year programs. They focus on upgrading your academic literacy, English, and Math skills.
How it helps:
If you pass the bridging course, the institution grants you access to their degree or diploma programs, regardless of your original Matric results.
Where to find them:
- UNISA: Offers a “Higher Certificate” which acts as a bridge to degree studies.
- Private Colleges: Institutions like Damelin, Rosebank College, and Varsity College often have robust bridging programs.
Detailed FAQ: “What if…”
Q: Will my new marks replace my old marks?
A: The system automatically combines your results to give you the best possible outcome. If you rewrite Math and get lower marks (it happens), they keep your original higher mark. You cannot lose what you already have.
Q: Can I go back to my old school?
A: Only if you are under 21 and the school Principal agrees. Most schools are full and do not accept “repeaters.” It is usually better to register as a part-time candidate or join a private “Matric Rewrite Center” where everyone is in the same boat as you.
Q: Does a “Rewrite” look bad on my CV?
A: No. Your final Umalusi certificate does not say “Rewritten.” It just lists the subjects and the dates. Employers and universities only care about the final mark, not how many times you wrote the exam.
Q: I failed 4 subjects. Should I rewrite?
A: Honestly? Probably not immediately. Failing 4 subjects suggests a fundamental gap in knowledge. We highly recommend looking at the TVET NCV option (Option 4). It gives you a fresh start in a new environment with new subjects that might match your talents better.
The Mental Battle: How to cope
The hardest part of failing is the shame. You might feel like hiding in your room.
- Get off Social Media: For the next week, everyone will be posting their “Bachelor Pass” statuses. Seeing this will only hurt you. Delete the apps for a few days.
- Tell your parents the plan: Parents get angry when they are scared for your future. If you go to them and say, “I failed, but I have already downloaded the forms for the Second Chance programme and I register on Tuesday,” their anger will turn into support. Show them you have a plan.
- You are not alone: In 2025, over 200,000 students did not pass. You are part of a massive group of people who are all looking for a second chance.
Conclusion: Your Year Starts Now
Do not let January 2026 be the month you gave up. Let it be the month you pivoted.
Whether you choose to rewrite, upgrade, or switch to a trade, the only wrong choice is doing nothing. The deadlines are real. The systems are open.
Go to www.eservices.gov.za right now and register for your rewrite, or walk into a TVET college tomorrow morning. Your future is still waiting for you.
Next Step:
If you are considering the TVET route, you need to know which colleges are near you and what they offer.
Disclaimer: ApsScore.com is an independent guide. Official registration must be done via the Department of Basic Education or specific institutions.