More than 157 000 candidates have enrolled for the Amended Senior Certificate exams, which are scheduled for June 2015. The last Senior Certificate examination, which allowed learners with incomplete Senior Certificate credits, as well as adult learners of 21 years and older to obtain a matric qualification, was conducted in June 2014.  However, based on the need for a qualification for adults that is equivalent to the current National Senior Certificate (NSC), the Minister of Basic Education has approved the revision of the current Senior Certificate qualification such that it can be offered to learners who will have no alternative route to follow post June 2014.

The Amended Senior Certificate retains its qualification structure but will utilise the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) subjects to support the qualification. This implies that the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) subjects will be offered as part of the Amended Senior Certificate. All Senior Certificate subjects that were passed prior to June 2015, at Higher Grade and Standard Grade levels, excluding Lower Grade conversions, will be recognised. The exams are open to adult learners above the age of 21, who have a General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) for Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET); or a Grade 9 school report, stating that they have passed Grade 9; or a recognised equivalent qualification obtained at NQF Level 1 which requires two official languages.