Important: universities weight APS differently — this is a general score
South African universities do not all calculate or weight APS the same way — some exclude Life Orientation entirely, some cap or scale it, and some apply extra weighting to specific subjects like Mathematics for certain degree programmes. Minimum APS requirements and faculty point scores (FPS) also vary by institution, faculty and year. Always confirm the exact APS calculation method and minimum score on your target university's admission page.
How the APS (Admission Point Score) is calculated
Each subject's percentage mark converts to an achievement level from 1 to 7 (7 = 80-100%, down to 1 = 0-29%), and the APS is the sum of the levels for your 6 best subjects, excluding or including Life Orientation depending on the university. Example: six subjects at level 6 each give an APS of 36 out of a maximum of 42 (or 49 if Life Orientation is included).
How do I calculate my APS (Admission Point Score)?
Convert each subject's percentage mark to an achievement level from 1 to 7, then add the levels of your 6 best subjects. Example: six subjects all at level 6 (70-79%) give an APS of 36 out of a maximum of 42 — or 49 if Life Orientation is included as a 7th subject.
Steps to calculate your APS
- List your 6 best subjects (excluding Life Orientation by default, since many universities exclude it).
- For each subject, convert your percentage mark to an achievement level using the bands: 7 = 80-100%, 6 = 70-79%, 5 = 60-69%, 4 = 50-59%, 3 = 40-49%, 2 = 30-39%, 1 = 0-29%.
- Add the 6 levels together to get your base APS.
- If your target university includes Life Orientation in its APS calculation, convert its percentage the same way and add that level too, for a maximum of 49 instead of 42.
- Compare your APS to your target programme's minimum requirement, keeping in mind universities may weight or cap subjects differently.
Formula
APS = sum of achievement levels (1-7) of your 6 best subjects, plus Life Orientation's level if your university includes it
- Achievement level = the 1-7 band your percentage mark falls into (7 is the highest, 80-100%)
- 6 best subjects = the subjects with the highest levels, normally excluding Life Orientation
- Life Orientation = an additional subject some (not all) universities add as a 7th subject in the APS total
Example APS calculations
| 6 subject levels | Life Orientation included? | APS |
|---|
| 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6 | No | 36 / 42 |
| 7, 7, 6, 6, 5, 5 | No | 36 / 42 |
| 7, 7, 7, 6, 6, 6 | Yes, level 5 | 44 / 49 |
| 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7 | No | 42 / 42 (maximum without LO) |
| 85%, 72%, 65%, 55%, 45%, 35% | No | 7+6+5+4+3+2 = 27 / 42 |
Frequently asked questions
Should I include Life Orientation in my APS?
It depends on the university — many South African universities exclude Life Orientation from the APS calculation entirely, some cap the level it can contribute, and a few include it fully as a 7th subject. Check your target university's specific APS policy rather than assuming.
What is the maximum possible APS?
Without Life Orientation, the maximum is 42 (6 subjects at level 7). If a university includes Life Orientation as a 7th subject, the maximum becomes 49.
Is APS the same as the faculty point score (FPS)?
Not always. Some universities use APS directly as their admission threshold, while others calculate a separate faculty-specific or programme-specific point score that may weight certain subjects (like Mathematics or Physical Science) more heavily than a straight APS sum.
Which 6 subjects should I use if I have 7 or more?
Use the 6 subjects with your highest achievement levels (typically excluding Life Orientation), while making sure the combination still satisfies any specific subject requirements — such as a required Mathematics or language level — for your chosen programme.
This calculator computes a general APS using the standard 1-7 achievement level bands. It does not apply institution-specific weighting, subject caps, or programme-specific faculty point score formulas that some South African universities use in place of or alongside a plain APS total. Confirm the exact calculation method and minimum score with your target university before making decisions.