This article contains the updated steps and examples on how to calculate Your Admission Point Score (APS) Score for the 2025 academic session.
APS Stands for Admission Point Score. It simply refers to the mark that universities use to see if you qualify for a specific course or one can say is basically the minimum requirement to qualify for a programme. This means that any score above the APS can still be okay for admission into the programme in question.
In South Africa, universities use APS as one of the tools to ascertain if applicants qualify for their respective programmes.
While APS is an important determiner of how qualified a student is for admission, the fact is that each institution has its unique guidelines on how to calculate the APS score. For instance, you can explore specific APS requirements at universities like University of Pretoria (UP), Vaal University of Technology (VUT), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Durban University of Technology (DUT), and University of Venda (UNIVEN).
As an applicant, it is important to know that an admission point score differs for different courses, programs and institutions. A score that can get you into Medical School in one university may not qualify you for the same course in another. If you’re aiming for medicine but concerned about your results, check this guide on how to get into medicine with a low grade.
Usually, institutions release their APS guidelines right before every new intake period to guide applicants on available programmes.
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR APS USING APS CALCULATOR
As earlier stated, each university has unique guidelines on how to calculate an APS score Thus, below is how to calculate APS score,:
Basically, in most institutions, students are allowed to take up to ten subjects which they will all sit for in the final exams. However, to get the APS score, all ten subjects will not be required; only seven subjects must be used in the calculation.
You may wonder how these 7 subjects will be picked from the 10. Well, the APS score calculator is very friendly and only picks the best seven subjects which will be converted using a point system to come up with the average AP score which is the Admission point score.
In other words, to calculate your APS, you’ll need to add your seven best subjects. The points you get for each course will depend on the percentage you score in that particular subject. However, the APS score is the total points you receive from each course.
Below is an example of how APS is calculated;
APS CALCULATOR
| Matric Subject | Symbol | APS Score |
| A | 80% – 100% | 7 |
| B | 70% – 79% | 6 |
| C | 60% – 69% | 5 |
| D | 50% – 59% | 4 |
| E | 40% – 49% | 3 |
| F | 30% – 39% | 2 |
| G | 20% – 29% | 1 |
Example: Below is a the APS using the matric examination score of a student
| Matric Subject | Symbol / Subject Score | APS Score |
| Maths | B | 6 |
| English | D | 4 |
| Life science | A | 7 |
| Religious sci. | B | 6 |
| Woodwork | C | 5 |
| Home designs | C | 5 |
| Language | B | 6 |
| Total APS | 31 |
Following the example, the Admission point score of the student is 31, that is the addition of all the APS
IMPORTANCE OF THE ADMISSION POINT SCORE
The admission point score is a very important factor when joining a university because of the reasons below:
- All universities have it, so there is no going around it. APS is the first determinant of your admission.
- It helps you as an applicant to know what you qualify for and gives you a chance to compare various institutions before sending your application. This saves you the frustration that comes with being denied admission.
- Another importance is that students who are yet to sit for their final exams, knowing the APS score or calculating the APS score can help prepare in advance, so students can know which scores are required for their dream courses.
Conclusion
In every country of the world, education varies with different policies. In Nigeria, before you apply for admission into any university, you are expected to have written your final exams before proceeding to write post UTME. The result of these post UTME is what determines if you’re qualified for your choice course.
All Universities do have what is called a cut-off mark which differs for every course. This cut-off mark which is gotten from the post UTME scores is similar to the Admission point score which is what universities use in South Africa to determine a qualified applicant.
As a student, you need to get your APS before you can apply for a course at a university. This means that you should have your final Matric examination certificate.
Bear in mind that universities have specific APS points needed to study different courses. This means that a course at one university won’t need the same APS points for the same course at another university.
As a result of this, it is very important you make sure that you find out the specified APS for your choice University before you apply.
Having an APS is not all there is to getting admission. There are other admission requirements attached to it. So endeavour to get all the necessary details and information before setting out to apply.
