If your child is in Matric and planning to apply to university, you have likely heard the acronym "NBT" thrown around. The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) can be a source of anxiety for many families, but understanding what they are is the first step to helping your child prepare.
What exactly is the NBT?
The NBT is an assessment used by South African universities to measure a student’s academic readiness for tertiary education. While the NSC (Matric) exams test how well your child has mastered the high school curriculum, the NBT evaluates their ability to transfer that knowledge to the demands of university coursework.
There are two separate tests:
The AQL (Academic and Quantitative Literacy): A combined three-hour, multiple-choice exam. Academic Literacy tests vocabulary, comprehension, and text analysis. Quantitative Literacy tests the ability to apply mathematical concepts to real-world situations (like interpreting graphs or financial data). Every applicant writes the AQL.
The MAT (Mathematics): A three-hour, multiple-choice exam assessing core mathematics. This is usually only required if your child is applying for programs with heavy math components, like Engineering, Medicine, or Commerce.
Why do universities use them?
Universities use NBT scores alongside Matric results to make admission decisions and to determine if a student might need additional academic support (like extended degree programs) once they arrive on campus. It is a critical gateway to their future studies.
