Staff Reporter
The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) said that its Class of 2025 achieved an overall pass rate of 98.31% in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, slightly lower than the 98.47% recorded in 2024.
The mainly private-school cohort’s bachelor’s pass rate — indicating eligibility for degree study — was 89.12%, compared with 89.37% a year earlier.
IEB chief executive Confidence Dikgole said small shifts in aggregate outcomes were expected as the system expands.
“What is important is that performance levels remain consistently high, standards are maintained, and access to degree study remains strong.”
The IEB administered the NSC exams to 17,414 candidates (16,063 full-time and 1,351 part-time).
Out of the nine provinces in the country, the highest number of pupils were concentrated in three provinces.
Gauteng had 10 421 pupils sit for the exams, compared to 9567 in 2024, by far the largest number. In KwaZulu-Natal, 2 448 pupils sat the exam, and in the Western Cape, 2 108 pupils sat the exam.
The IEB said it recognised 161 pupils in its outstanding achievement category and 125 in its commendable achievement category.
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