Matric Results 2025/2026: How to Check Online on the Department of Education (DBE) + Next Steps
Matric results season is a big moment in South Africa—whether you’re aiming for university, a TVET college, learnerships, or work. This guide explains how to check Matric results online using the Department of Basic Education (DBE), what to do if your results are missing, and the smartest next steps for admissions, NSFAS, bursaries, re-marks, and rewrites.
How to Check Matric Results Online (Department of Education / DBE)
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) provides an official results platform often listed as National Examination Results or NSC Results.
What you need before you check
- Your Exam number (from your admission letter)
- Your ID number (sometimes required)
- The exam year (e.g., 2025 exams, results released in 2026)
- Reliable internet (sites can be slow on results day)
Step-by-step (DBE online results)
- Visit the Department of Basic Education website.
- Find National Exam Results / NSC Results.
- Select NSC (Matric) results.
- Enter your exam number exactly as printed.
- Choose your exam year and submit.
- Save/screenshot your results for reference.
Tip: If the DBE portal is slow or shows “no results found,” re-check your exam number and try again later. Heavy traffic is common when results go live.
Other Reliable Ways to Get Your Results
- Your school: Usually the most reliable place to confirm results quickly.
- SMS/USSD (if available): Helpful if you don’t have data or the website is down.
- Newspapers: Can be a backup, but not always ideal due to privacy and missing listings.
Understanding Your Matric Pass Level
Your pass level affects what you can do next:
- Bachelor’s pass: May qualify you for a university degree (course requirements still apply).
- Diploma pass: Good for many diplomas at universities of technology and colleges.
- Higher Certificate pass: Opens options at TVET colleges and bridging programmes.
- Not achieved: You can still recover through rewrite, upgrade, or second chance routes.
What to Do If Your Results Are Missing or Incomplete
Missing results can happen due to admin errors or registration issues. Act fast:
- Confirm your details at your school
- Ask for the correct exam number
- If needed, follow the official escalation route through your education offices
Re-mark, Re-check, or Rewrite: Best Next Step?
- Re-check: Confirms totals and capturing were done correctly.
- Re-mark: Paper is marked again—useful if you were close to passing or upgrading a symbol.
- Rewrite/Upgrade: Best if you need higher marks for admission, APS, or bursary requirements.
High-Value Next Steps (University, NSFAS, Bursaries)
After results, focus on:
- University/TVET applications
- NSFAS funding
- Bursaries by field (teaching, nursing, engineering, IT)
- Student accommodation and laptop requirements
Quick Share Message (WhatsApp/Facebook)
Matric Results 2025/2026: You can check online using the Department of Basic Education (DBE) NSC Results portal or collect at your school. If you’re unhappy with your marks, you still have options: re-mark, re-check, rewrite, university, NSFAS and bursaries.
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