Your matric examination number is an important administrative detail on your journey to your final matric certificate. It is the number you are allocated by either the Department of Education (for the NSC Matric) or the governing exam body (for matric equivalents like the IEB exams) to track your exams through the system. Think of it as your ‘ID Number’ for your matric exams. Not only is it important in receiving your final examination results, but it will also be used to collate your results if you use a supplementary exam session and to track requests like re-marking of papers. So it’s very important that you retain your matric examination number and can access it when needed. Here’s how to find it.
How to Find Your Matric Examination Number
You will receive your matric examination number from the testing center where you will write your exams. You should receive it by email, with a subject line like ‘examination number notification email.’ You will receive a printable examination card from the website you use to register for your final exams, too. You should read everything that comes with your matric examination number carefully, too, as it will give you important information that will help shape your exam experience- like safety measures in the building, allowable items in the exam room, and when to arrive for processing before your exam. Being familiar with these helpful tips will make your final exam session a lot less scary.
Where is the Examination Number on My Matric Certificate?
Once you have received your matric certificate after passing your exams, you will see the same matric examination number printed on the bottom right corner, alongside a bar code. Here it acts as a ‘serial number’ of sorts, ensuring you can track and even replace your eam certificate if needed over time.
How Can I Get My Matric Results with Exam Number?
Your exam number will be needed for every source of your matric results, too. If you head to online printed sources, like newspapers and anything else where all results are listed publicly, you will only be listed under your examination number to preserve your privacy.
Additionally, you can now get your matric results with your exam number from a variety of online sources. Head to the Department of Education’s online portal to get your matric exam results online. You will need your examination number and ID number, then your results will be displayed. There is also the MatricsMate app.
You can also use the SMS or USSD options to get your matric results. Again, you will send your exam number and ID number to 35658 to sign up for the SMS service. You will then receive your results on your phone via SMS on the morning they are released. Alternatively, dial *120*35658# and provide both numbers to get your results on the USSD code.
What is the Barcode on My Matric Certificate?
The barcode on your matric certificate is a security feature to help ward off fakes and spoofs. It matches the certificate number when scanned, and offers an extra security layer to ensure the certificate number is real, and the correct one assigned to your results. You will also see the certificate number as a varying size font on the certificate.
Can I Combine My Matric Results Even if I Failed?
You can certainly combine two failed matric result sessions in order to produce a better combined matric result. However, there are some (rather easy and straightforward) requirements to do this. Between the two sessions, you must have passed at least five of your six subjects (as an adult matriculants). And you must have received at least 20% for the failed subject you want to use on the combination certificate (if relevant).
A combined matric result can be a great way to leverage two disappointing examination sessions into one better and more positive Senior Certificate which you can use to further your career or educational opportunities.
How Do I Verify My Matric Certificate in South Africa?
Sadly, there is the potential of fraudulent matric certificates, whether from bad actors or unlicensed institutions. Luckily you can verify your matric certificate in South Africa pretty easily. The matriculation certificates have been handled by Umalusi since 1992. They can be reached on 012 249 1510, or via verification@umalusi. They enacted several security measures to help prevent fraudulent certificates, including the barcode and certificate number we mentioned above. Additionally, the certificate carries a specific watermark, a name in the border you can see under magnification, and the national coat of arms. If your certificate is from a year before 1992, you will speak directly to the Department of Education. Should you need to get a replacement certificate due to loss or theft, you can- and the original will be canceled, so it cannot be fraudulently used.
