[Public Comment Home page] [Search Qualifications] [Search Unit Standards]
SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or registered on the National Qualifications Framework, are public property. Thus, the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction: it is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

National Senior Certificate for Adults 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
91672  National Senior Certificate for Adults 
ORIGINATOR
Umalusi - GENFETQC 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
UMALUSI - UMALUSI  GFETQSF - General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 05 - Education, Training and Development  Adult Learning 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  SAQA 0618/23  2023-06-30  2028-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-06-30   2032-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
  • The National Senior Certificate for Adults (NASCA) aims to provide evidence that the adult learners are equipped with a sufficiently substantial basis of discipline-based knowledge, skills and values to enhance meaningful social, political and economic participation, to form a basis for further and/or more specialist learning and possibly to enhance the likelihood of employment. In these respects, the NASCA promotes the holistic development of adult learners. The intention is also that the quality of the learning offered by the NASCA will reinvigorate an interest in learning for many who have had negative experiences in school.
  • The NASCA aims to service an identifiable need in the basic adult education system, not currently met by other qualifications on the NQF and to create pathways for further learning. It is designed to provide opportunities for people who have limited or no access to continuing education and training opportunities.
  • The Exit Level Outcomes for the NASCA are:
    > Identify, select, understand and apply knowledge useful to the identification of and solutions to problems in the area of study.
    > Demonstrate the necessary applied knowledge and skills identified for competence in a subject, including the use of the necessary technology.
    > Communicate in writing in chosen fields of study, including capabilities such as making a synthesis of information from other sources, doing an analysis, motivating a position and presenting a coherent argument in a variety of genres, as required for the field of study.
    > Reflect on own learning in order to re-establish an interest in learning and further study.
  • The capabilities expressed in the Exit Level Outcomes for the qualification will be developed through and during the achievement of the outcomes for the individual subjects which the learner studies. The breadth and depth of learning as well as the kinds of cognitive demand associated with the exit level outcomes are explained in greater detail in the individual subject curricula.

    Rationale:
  • The National Senior Certificate for Adults (NASCA) qualification is a qualification at NQF Level 4 on the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-Framework.
  • The NASCA provides a general educational pathway for adult learners. Its focus, through broad, discipline-based curricula, is to build a reliable general education underpinned by the necessary cognitive proficiencies to support further study.
  • Achievement of the NASCA will indicate that the successful candidate has studied for and achieved competence, which can be described, in a general educational qualification at NQF Level 4 on the NQF, which like the National Senior Certificate is quality assured and certified by Umalusi.
  • The NASCA is offered as a set of challenge examinations for which adult learners may prepare in any way they choose. The qualification has no formal learning programme requirements that need to be completed in order to register to write a subject. However, the demands of the subject are likely to be such that most people wishing to write the NASCA will benefit from participating voluntarily in a formal learning programme offered by a public or private college.
  • The NASCA examination provides people with an opportunity to indicate what they know through taking a series of examinations. Should candidates wish to improve their results in the NASCA they may register and write a subject more than once.
  • The structure of the NASCA accommodates a variety of education delivery options; face-to-face, distance, or a combination of the two as well as the possibility of private tuition or self-study. Full-time and part-time study can be accommodated by the qualification structure and design. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners who access this qualification are competent in at least the Grade 9 NSC Learning Outcomes or Learning Outcomes of an equivalent qualification, in the compulsory subject they will offer/choose in the National Senior Certificate for Adults (NASCA).

    Access to the Qualification:
  • There are no minimum entrance requirements set for the NASCA. However, achievement at the following levels provide an indication that the minimum capabilities required for the achievement of the NASCA are in place:
    > An official Grade 9 school report which indicates promotion to Grade 10; the age requirement not withstanding.
    Or
    > A General Education and Training Certificate for Adults (GETCA).
    Or
    > Another SAQA-registered NQF Level 2 or 3 Qualification with a language and Mathematics as fundamentals.
  • Duration and general enrolment and registration requirements of the National Senior Certificate for Adults:
    > Adult learners registering for a National Senior Certificate for Adults: A qualification at NQF Level 4 on the NQF may register for any number of subjects per examination sitting.
    > The NASCA qualification must be completed within six (6) years of the date of initial registration. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The structure of the National Senior Certificate for Adults (NASCA):
  • The National Senior Certificate for Adults: A qualification at Level 4 on the NQF is registered as a 120 credit qualification.
  • Adult learners will offer subjects selected from the subjects listed under notes.
  • The qualification and its assessment have been structured to allow adult learners to demonstrate, without additional programme-related obstacles, whether they have acquired in a limited number of subjects a level of general academic competence that is recognised as equivalent or superior to that demonstrated by learners leaving school with a National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate.

    Qualification Requirements:
    A National Senior Certificate for Adults shall be issued to an adult learner who has complied with the following requirements:
  • Achieved a minimum of at least 50% in at least four (4) subjects in the national examinations including one compulsory language from Organising Field 04 (Communication Studies and Language) and Mathematics or Quantitative Literacy from Organising Field 10 (Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences), and at least two additional subjects selected from the following:
    > An additional official language.
    > Natural Sciences from Organising Field 10, Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences.
    > Information and Communication Technology from Organising Field 10, Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences.
    > Human and Social Sciences from Organising Field 7, Human and Social Studies.
    > Economic and Management Sciences from Organising Field 3.
    Adult learners intending to study further must offer at least one language of learning and teaching (LOLT) offered at institutions of further and higher education.
    An adult learner may offer/choose more than the required minimum of four (4) subjects.

    These requirements are subject to the following provisos:
  • A candidate may not register for more than one language from each of the following language groups:
  • IsiNdebele, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu and Siswati.
  • Sepedi, Sesotho and Setswana.
  • A candidate may not register for both Mathematics and Mathematical Quantitative Literacy.

    Certification requirements:
  • Subject to the provisions of Section (17) (A) (6) of the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act, 2001 (Act No. 58 of 2001), a National Senior Certificate for Adults: A qualification at Level 4 on the NQF shall be issued to an adult learner who has complied with the following promotion requirements:
    > Achieved a minimum of at least 50% in four subjects as determined by paragraph 10 (1 - 3) of the qualification policy.
  • The results of two or more NASCA subject statements will be combined to allow a successful candidate to receive a National Senior Certificate for Adults: A qualification at Level 4 on the NQF, provided that the promotion requirements in paragraph 10 (1 - 3) of the qualification policy have been fully met. Such a combination must be requested on behalf of the candidate by the assessment body concerned. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the accumulation and integration of knowledge and skills from one or more fields.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to apply critical and creative thinking to solve problems.
    3. Communicate and present information accurately, in written or oral form, using relevant communication tools.
    4. Demonstrate proficient and responsible use of science and technology.
    5. Demonstrate economic numeracy and literacy skills as well as entrepreneurial abilities.
    6. Demonstrate the ability to take responsibility for own learning within a supervised environment.
    7. Show evidence of compliance to organisational ethics and code of conduct, as well as understanding and respect for societal values.
  • The capabilities expressed in the exit level outcomes for the qualification will be developed throughand duringthe achievement of the outcomes for the individual subjects which the candidate studies. The breadth and depth of learning as well as the kinds of cognitive demand associated with the exit level outcomes are explained in greater detail in the individual subject curricula.
  • The Critical Cross-field Outcomes and the Developmental Outcomes, listed in Annexure E, inform the learning presupposed by this qualification, and are embodied in the outcomes for every subject offered in the NASCA.
  • The award of the NASCA confirms that a successful candidate has been deemed competentthrough the assessment of the required combination of subjectsin the capabilities expressed in the exit level outcomes and is consequently granted a nationally recognized qualification. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge base of key areas and an understanding of the terminologies and concepts is demonstrated through definitions, descriptions, and explanations.
  • Appy the understanding that knowledge gained in one field to other related fields.
  • Engage interactions, processes, and theories occurring within the scientific, human, and physical phenomena critically, and raise relevant questions.
  • Integrate knowledge and skills gained from individual learning areas.
  • Demonstrate the ability to research, synthesise and organise information from various sources.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply subject-specific knowledge (including scientific knowledge) to recognise, critically analyse, and interpret problems, as well as suggest solutions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use existing information to gain new insights and generate innovative ideas for problem-solving.
  • Apply essential methods and procedures and follow a systematic approach to problem-solving.
  • Demonstrate effective application of scientific principles to practical problems, including problems relating to numbers.
  • Use accurate interpretation of the information presented in a wide range of formats to draw inferences and make responsible decisions.
  • Adjust and use the knowledge and skills used to solve common problems to solve other problems within familiar and unfamiliar contexts while taking into consideration and understanding the consequences of each action.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate effective use of various language structures and conventions.
  • Critically evaluate and respond to literary and non-literary texts within familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
  • Apply business communication strategies effectively in dealing with various stakeholders from both the informal and formal sectors.
  • Demonstrate the ability to coherently present arguments for a varied range of contexts and audiences.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate proficiency in a wide range of digital skills.
  • Use technology and science effectively and critically while showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge of the various interrelated physical and non-physical technologies used to capture, process, manage and disseminate information.
  • Identify and solve everyday Information and Communication Technology problems using a range of appropriate tools, including modern technology.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the commercial world and the South African economy in both local and global contexts.
  • Apply basic entrepreneurial skills and economic literacy skills to practical business situations.
  • Demonstrate the ability read and interpret financial information and current affairs to inform business decisions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Demonstrate reflective skills that allow the adult learner to evaluate their performance and enhance personal development to become lifelong learners.
  • Display a sufficient sense of self-empowerment that enables aspirational goal setting relating to personal growth and career development.
  • Demonstrate the capacity to take the initiative to address any shortcomings identified, while also displaying the ability to take accountability for their actions and/or decisions.
  • Show the inspiration to pursue personal interests, including further studying.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Adhere to the organisational code of conduct and ethics.
  • Understand and respect the moral principles embedded in various societies and communities.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment structure:
  • Assessment of learning in the National Senior Certificate for Adults: A qualification at Level 4 on the NQF consists of two components of assessment, namely:
    ¿ Readily available self-assessment tests (exemplars) which provide evidence to candidates of their readiness to write the exam in the subject concerned.
    ¿ A nationally-set examination.
  • Only the marks achieved in the nationally-set external examination, moderated and standardised by Umalusi, are considered for the award of the qualification.
  • The external examination, as contemplated in "A nationally-set examination" is set and marked by an accredited assessment body and/or by the Department of Higher Education and Training and moderated by Umalusi.
  • The norms and standards to which all assessment bodies must give effect are stipulated in the envisaged policy document, National policy and regulations on the conduct, administration and management of the National Senior Certificate for Adults: A qualification at Level 4 on the NQF. Assessment bodies are also required to adhere to the quality assurance directives to be issued by Umalusi in respect of this qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Qualifications focused on assisting adults to achieve a recognised qualification appear to fall into two categories, though the two are not completely separate. The first category has its primary focus on allowing candidates to provide evidence of satisfactory performance in English to be allowed access to higher education. The TOEFL Test, developed by the Education Testing Services in the United States, is such a test: its target group is second language speakers of English across the globe wishing to have access to further study, primarily but not exclusively, in colleges in the United States.

    The second group of qualifications has a more general educational intent, all are intended to provide adults with the opportunity to prove that they have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills provided by a general high school education. In these qualifications, a language and mathematics are regarded as central. While many candidates successfully complete the qualification with the equivalent of a high-school leaving certificate, the qualification is also viewed as opening up access to higher education. The GED Tests and the Mature Student High School Diploma are examples of qualifications of this sort. The National Senior Certificate for Adults (NASCA) is seen as being a qualification of this type.

    GED Tests:
    The GED Tests form a programme of the American Council of Education (ACE). They provide adults who did not complete their formal high school programme with the opportunity to certify their attainment of high-school level academic knowledge and skills, using tests that are field-tested and normed on graduating high school seniors before becoming final test forms. ACE claims that only 60% of graduating high school seniors would pass the GED Tests on their first attempt.

    The GED Test battery comprises five content area assessments: Language ArtsReading; Language Arts Writing; Mathematics; Science and Social Studies. Completing the test battery takes just over 7 hours.

    In order to pass the GED Tests, a test-taker must earn a minimum total standard score on all 5 tests and a minimum standard score on each content area test.

    Individual states, provinces or programmes in the United States recognise the GED Tests and award a qualification in recognition of the tests. The name given to the qualification depends on the U.S. jurisdiction that is awarding the credential: almost two thirds of the jurisdictions refer to it as a diploma, while the remaining third award a certificate. The credentials for the GED are issued by the jurisdictional partners.

    According to the Annual Survey of Colleges 2007 (2007: The College Board), 98% of colleges and universities that require a high school diploma accept the GED credential. According to the Society for Human Resources Management (2002), 96% of companies accept applicants with a GED credential for jobs requiring a high school degree.

    The GED Tests have formed part of the U.S. educational environment for almost 70 years and have undergone 4 major overhauls during that period. ACE is, however, launching its 5th GED series in 2011.

    The questions on the GED Tests are classified by cognitive level using an adaptation of Bloom's taxonomy.

    Information accessed 12/01/2011 at www.acenet.edu.

    TOEFL Test:
    The TOEFL Test is a language-only test, developed and quality assured by Education Testing Services (United States). It is, however, designed to allow non-native English speaking test-takers to demonstrate that they have the English skills required to perform in an academic environment. ETS argues that 'many universities consider it the most appropriate test to use when making admissions decisions.' It provides a directory of 7 500 colleges, universities and agencies which accept TOEFL scores: these have different minimum entry requirements based on the TOEFL scores.

    The test is offered as a paper-based test as well as an internet-based online test, which is offered between thirty and forty times a year. The paper-based tests are offered six times a year, 'where the internet-based testing is not available'.

    The TOEFL Test provides scores in four skills areas - Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, in a battery of test which last approximately four hours. Test-takers are allowed to retake the tests as many times as they choose. The scores achieved remain valid for a period of two years.

    Information accessed 12/01/2011 at www.ets.org.

    Mature Student High School Diploma:
    The Mature Student High School Diploma is one of a range of additional opportunities offered by Manitoba Education, a provincial education department in Canada. The intention is to allow adults to graduate from Senior Years, viz the last three years of schooling.

    The Diploma requires that a candidate study for 30 Credits, four of which must be at Grade 12 level and must include a Language Arts credits as well as one for Mathematics. The remaining four can be taken across Grades 9 - 12. The study options include English Language Arts (Grades 9 - 12, with 3 options in the last 3 years: English Comprehensive; English Literary and English Transactional); Mathematics (Grades 9 - 12 with 4 options in Grade 10; 5 options in Grade 11 and 5 in Grade 12: Accounting; Applied Math; Consumer Math V; Pre-calculus Math), Physical Education/Health Education(Grades 9 -12); Science (Grade 9 - 10); Social Studies (Grade 9);Geography (Grade 10); Canadian History (Grade 11). Several additional optional courses are also available and include, for example, Introduction to Drafting Design Technology (Grade 9) Electricity/Electronics (Grade 9); Art (Grade 9 -10) Keyboarding (Grade 10);Chemistry (Grade 11 - 12); Physics (Grade 11 - 12).

    The Diploma is open to people who are at least 19 at the time of enrolment for a programme directed at completing the Mature Student Graduation Requirements, or ones who will reach the age of 19 before the completion of the course in which the person is enrolled. The Diploma is also open to people who have been out of school for six months or more, out of school long enough for the class, of which they were last a member, to have graduated from Senior Years and for people who have not yet obtained a high school diploma.

    The Diploma is offered at schools, Adult Learning Centres and as Distance Learning through a Distance Learning Unit. The various options for independent study have different registration requirements from specific dates to registration at any time.

    The courses consist of modules or sequences and the number of these modules varies from course to course. Each module covers a section of the course and includes several lessons. The lessons included assignments which students are expected to complete and self-evaluate. These assignments include projects, tests, essays and/or examinations. Students are expected to finish a course within a year of registration and are advised that each course will require approximately 165 hours to complete. Students who have not completed the course within the 12 months are withdrawn from the course.

    Upon completion of all the course requirements, candidates receive a Statement of Standing indicating the award of Senior Year credit(s).

    Conclusion:
    The NASCA is seen as being a qualification of the second group type (GED tests and Mature Student High School Diploma) and is comparable. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The NASCA is a general education qualification designed to articulate vertically, horizontally, and diagonally to other qualifications within the GFETQSF, the OQSF and the HEQSF on the NQF. Provided they meet the minimum entry requirements, the achievement of this qualification allows the adult learners the opportunity to have access to academic qualifications and occupational programmes offered by TVET colleges, skills development providers and higher education institutions. This qualification is structured to enable articulation to a Higher Certificates at NQF level 5, National Certificate at NQF Level 5 and 6, Diplomas at NQF level 6 and bachelor's Degrees at NQF Levels 7 and 8. The completion of this qualification also gives the adult learners the opportunity to access the world of work in a variety of fields and careers. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation options and criteria for the registration of assessors:
  • External Assessments will be conducted by relevant assessment bodies responsible for conducting external assessment.
  • External Assessment will be moderated by Umalusi according to its laid down policy and procedures.
  • Final assessments including internal and external assessments will be subject to moderation and standardisation by Umalusi according to its laid down policy and procedures. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors or moderators should be in possession of an NQF qualification at least at NQF Level 6, with the subject in question or its equivalent at Level 6 and should have taught the subject or its equivalent at Grade 12 Level for at least five years. 

    NOTES 
    Refer to the Government Gazette No 37965, dated 2 September 2014, which is the policy document for this qualification.

    General:
    The National Senior Certificate for Adults: A qualification at Level 4 on the NQF is designed for persons not enrolled at a public or independent school, nor learning through other modes of education (such as home education), referred to in the National Education Policy Act, 1996 (No. 27 of 1996) and the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996).

    Adult learners may, but need not, enrol to prepare for the NASCA at a public or Umalusi-accredited and registered private education institution as determined by the Minister of Higher Education and Training.

    Adult learners may study independently for the NASCA and then register for the examinations at an examination centre, which is registered with an assessment body accredited by Umalusi.

    For the purposes of this policy, an adult learner is deemed to be a person who is eighteen (18) years or older.

    A South African identity document or a valid study/work permit is compulsory for registration for the NASCA by an adult learner.

    Nationally approved subjects that comply with the programme requirements of the National Senior Certificate for Adults:
  • OF 3: Business, Commerce and Management Studies:
    > Economic and Management Sciences.
  • OF 4: Communication Studies and Language:
    > Afrikaans.
    > English.
    > IsiNdebele.
    > IsiXhosa.
    > IsiZulu.
    > Sepedi.
    > Sesotho.
    > Setswana.
    > SiSwati.
    > Tshivenda.
    > Xitsonga.
  • OF 7: Human and Social Sciences:
    > Human and Social Studies.
  • OF 10: Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences:
    > Quantitative Literacy.
    > Mathematics.
    > Natural Sciences.
    > Information and Communication Technology. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or registered on the National Qualifications Framework, are public property. Thus, the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction: it is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.