IEB announces impressive 2025 NSC results with a pass rate of 98.31%

THE Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has announced the results of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, achieving an overall pass rate of 98.31%, reflecting the continued strength, stability, and credibility of the IEB assessment system.

All candidates who successfully completed the 2025 IEB NSC examinations achieved a pass that qualifies them for post-school study at one of three levels:

• 89.12% achieved entry to degree study, compared to 89.37% in 2024.
• 7.83% qualified for diploma study, compared to 7.56% in 2024.
• 1.34% achieved entry to Higher Certificate study, compared to 1.53% in 2024.
• 0.02% achieved an endorsed NSC.

A total of 16 063 full-time candidates and 1 350 part-time candidates (a combined total of 17 413) wrote the IEB NSC examinations in October and November 2025 at 277 examination venues, registered across 263 examination centres nationwide.

This represents a continued and significant expansion of the IEB cohort, up from 14 990 full-time candidates in 2024 and 13 967 in 2023. The 2025 cohort includes candidates from nine new schools across three provinces, alongside sustained growth from long-standing IEB schools.

Growth and performance trends

Although there has been a marginal decrease in the overall and Bachelor pass rates compared to 2024, this occurred alongside significant growth in the size of the cohort and the system as a whole.

Confidence Dikgole, CEO of the IEB, explains: "As the IEB continues to grow - welcoming new schools, expanding geographically, and examining a larger and more diverse cohort - small fluctuations in aggregate pass rates are both statistically expected and internationally observed in stable assessment systems. What is important is that performance levels remain consistently high, standards are maintained, and access to degree study remains strong."

Dikgole added: "In a context of sustained growth and changing learning environments, the consistency of these results is, in fact, reassuring." 

The Bachelor pass rate of 89.12% remains above the 2023 level (88.59%), demonstrating sustained academic achievement despite increased scale and diversity within the cohort.

Assessment integrity and evolving learning contexts

The IEB confirms that the 2025 NSC examination session was conducted with unwavering integrity, with no systemic irregularities reported that could compromise the credibility of the results.

"The contemporary learning environment continues to evolve rapidly," said Dikgole.

"Digital technologies, including generative AI, form part of the educational landscape in which today’s learners are developing. The IEB remains proactive in adapting its assessment practices to ensure that examinations continue to test genuine understanding, critical thinking, and applied competence, rather than rote reproduction or inappropriate reliance on technology." 

High achievement

The IEB recognises exceptional pupil performance in 2025:

• 161 pupils achieved outstanding achievement (top 5% in six subjects with Level 7 in Life Orientation).
• 125 pupils achieved commendable achievement (top 5% in five subjects with Level 7 in Life Orientation).

Inclusive assessment

In keeping with its commitment to inclusive assessment, the IEB approved accommodations for 1 974 candidates, representing 11.34% of the total cohort. These included adapted papers and alternative formats for candidates with hearing, visual, and other impairments, ensuring equitable access while preserving examination standards.

Monitoring and quality assurance

The IEB monitored the 2025 NSC examinations through a combination of real-time electronic surveillance at all centres and physical monitoring at 115 centres. This oversight ensures examination security, credibility, and the prompt management of any irregularities.

The 2025 IEB NSC examinations were quality assured by Umalusi, the Quality Assurance Council for General and Further Education and Training, which included the moderation of question papers, monitoring of examination writing, verification of marking, and standardisation of marks.

In approving the release of the 2025 IEB NSC results, Umalusi confirmed that the examinations were administered largely in accordance with the relevant regulations and that no systemic irregularities were identified that could compromise the integrity or credibility of the examination session.

Special announcements for the candidates

The closing date for the application for remarking is January 30, 2026, and the results from the remarking will be released on March 4, 2026, subject to Umalusi approval. The closing date for pupils who qualify to enrol for the May/June examinations is March 13, 2026. Registrations for the May/June 2026 examinations can be completed online from March 4 to 13, 2026, at www.ieb-online.co.za.

Combined Abitur-NSC 2025

The Combined Abitur-NSC is a qualification offered by the German Schools in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. The qualification consists of five subjects assessed by the IEB and seven subjects assessed by the German Education authorities. Through this government-to-government agreement, successful pupils in the Combined Abitur-NSC are recognised by German education authorities for entry to German universities and by South African education authorities for entry to South African universities.

Of the 86 candidates who offered this qualification, 85 (98.84%) passed with entry to degree study and one candidate (1.63%) achieved a diploma pass. The IEB sees its involvement with this qualification as a means of keeping South African students in touch with global standards and developments.

THE POST