Cape Town – The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has announced that the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams achieved a 98.31% overall pass rate.
Of the 17,413 candidates (16,063 full-time and 1,350 part-time), 89.12% qualified for degree study, 7.83% for diploma study, and 1.34% for Higher Certificate study.
Only 0.02% earned an endorsed NSC.
[ON AIR]
The IEB has achieved an overall pass rate of 98,31% of the 2025 NSC examinations. We talk more on this with Confidence Dikgole, Chief Executive Officer, Independent Examinations Board.#MorningLive #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/lM9Uzznfcm
— SABCNews_MorningLive (@MorningLiveSABC) January 12, 2026
Top achievers included 161 learners with outstanding achievement (top 5% in six subjects) and 125 with commendable achievement (top 5% in five subjects).
Gauteng recorded the highest participation with 17,000 candidates, while the Northern Cape had the lowest, with 115 candidates.
IEB CEO Confidence Dikgole congratulated learners, teachers, and parents, encouraging all students to persevere, noting that multiple pathways remain open in South Africa’s education system.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
