No matric? The GED and other options for adults

Options for South African adults who did not finish matric: the GED, the Amended Senior Certificate and other routes, with honest pros and cons.

All guides · Reviewed 7 October 2026

Short answer: Adults in South Africa who did not finish matric have several routes to a school-level qualification, including the GED and the Amended Senior Certificate (the adult matric). The GED is fast and flexible, with four tests you can write throughout the year, but it does not give direct entry to degree study at public universities. Choose by starting from your goal.

Start with your goal

A degree at a public university: you need a matric bachelor's pass or a USAf exemption. The adult matric (Amended Senior Certificate, for people aged 21 and over) is the usual route. A new South African GED does not qualify for the exemption.
Study at a private college, or a certificate or diploma: ask the institution whether it accepts the GED for your programme. Some do.
A job or promotion that asks for Grade 12 or equivalent: ask the employer whether a GED with a SAQA Certificate of Evaluation at NQF Level 4 is accepted.
Study or work abroad: the GED is widely recognised in the United States and accepted in many other countries. Check the specific institution.
Finishing what you started: for many adults, earning the credential matters in itself.

Why adults choose the GED

Four subjects instead of six or seven.
No school-based assessment, portfolios or orals.
Tests can be booked throughout the year, one subject at a time.
You can study at home, at your own pace, around work and family.
It can be finished in months.

What to be careful about

The university limitation above. Read Is the GED accepted by South African universities?
Cost: the official test fees are in US dollars. See GED costs.
English: all four tests are in English and involve a lot of reading.
Promises: nobody can guarantee that you will pass, or that every institution will accept your GED.

Going back to study as an adult

It is normal to feel rusty. Adults usually learn faster than they expect, because they are choosing to be there. Start with the basics, study in short regular sessions, and write one subject at a time. Our study plan is built for people with jobs and families, and you can try a free lesson before you decide anything.

Common questions

Can I do the GED at any age?

Yes, there is no upper age limit. You must be at least 18, or 17 with an age waiver.

Is the GED or adult matric better?

It depends on your goal. For a degree at a public South African university, adult matric is the route. For a quick, flexible school-level credential that some private institutions, employers and overseas universities accept, the GED can fit.

Do I need Grade 9 or Grade 10 to write the GED?

The official South African policy sets age and identification requirements, not a minimum school grade. The work is at high-school level, so the lower your last grade, the more preparation time to allow.