As the 2025 matric exams officially begin this week, learners across South Africa are entering one of the most important – and emotionally charged – periods of their school careers.
This time of year brings a mix of excitement and anxiety as Grade 12 pupils prepare to close the chapter on high school and look ahead to a future filled with new opportunities.
For many, the final exams are the last hurdle before a well-earned break, and for those pursuing higher education, a critical gateway to college or university studies – whether locally or abroad.
Education authorities and teachers have urged pupils to stay focused and make the most of the time remaining.
As the country rallies behind the Class of 2025, messages of support are flooding in across communities and social media, encouraging students to give it their best – and reminding them that their hard work and resilience will pay off.
Over one million candidates registered to write
According to Umalusi’s audit report, a total of over one million candidates are registered to sit for various national examinations this year, including more than 900 000 learners writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams under the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
Of these, 766 543 are full-time candidates, while there are a further 137 018 part-time candidates who wrote in previous years and are seeking to improve their results, will also sit for the 2025 examinations.
In addition, 17 427 learners will write the NSC under the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), while 6 174 candidates are registered through the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI).
The examinations will be conducted across more than 9 400 examination centres nationwide, covering both public and private assessment bodies.
Good luck to ALL matriculants tackling their final exams this year!
National Senior Certificate (NSC) matric exam dates and timetable 2025
The Department of Basic Education has officially released the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) October/November examination timetable.
The exams are set to begin on Tuesday, 21 October, and will run until Thursday, 27 November, with key practical assessments and rewrite dates also included.
The final matric exams are one of the most crucial academic undertakings in the South African school system, marking the culmination of 12 years of schooling.
This year’s schedule reflects a well-structured timeline that accommodates practicals, core subjects, electives, rewrites, and language variations to ensure a fair and efficient national examination process.
Key Examination Dates and Structure
The timetable is divided into six weeks of examinations, starting with practical assessments in Information Technology and Computer Applications Technology (CAT), followed by core academic papers and specialised subjects across different fields.
Week 1: Kick-off with IT and Language Papers
• Tuesday, 21 October: Computer Applications Technology P1 (Practical)
• Wednesday, 22 October: Information Technology P1 (Practical)
• Thursday, 23 October: English HL, FAL and SAL Paper 3 (Essay)
• Friday, 24 October: Afrikaans HL, FAL and SAL Paper 3
Additionally, language papers for Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telegu, Urdu, Hebrew, Portuguese, Latin and German are scheduled throughout the week.
Week 2: Indigenous Languages and Accounting
• Monday, 27 October: isiZulu, isiXhosa, Siswati, isiNdebele HL P3, and FAL P3
• Tuesday, 28 October: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL and FAL P3; Sign Language HL P3
• Wednesday, 29 October: English HL, FAL and SAL P1 (Comprehension)
• Thursday, 30 October: History P1
• Friday, 31 October: Mathematics P1, Mathematical Literacy P1, Technical Maths P1 in the morning and Religion Studies P1 in the afternoon
Week 3: Double Dose of Maths and Sciences
• Monday, 3 November: Mathematics P2, Mathematical Literacy P2, Technical Maths P2; Agricultural Sciences P1 in the afternoon
• Tuesday, 4 November: HL Paper 1s in indigenous languages; Accounting P2 and Maritime Economics
• Wednesday, 5 November: More HL P1s; Religion Studies P2, Mechanical Technology
• Thursday, 6 November: FAL and SAL Paper 2s; Business Studies P1
• Friday, 7 November: Physical Science P1 and Technical Science P1; History P2
Week 4: Business, Sciences and Life Sciences
• Monday, 10 November: Physical Sciences P2, Technical Sciences P2; Visual Arts P1 and Nautical Science P1
• Tuesday, 11 November: Afrikaans HL, FAL and SAL P1; Business Studies P2
• Wednesday, 12 November: Geography (Climate & Geomorphology), Computer Applications Tech P2, Nautical Science P2
• Thursday, 13 November: English HL, FAL, and SAL P2; Information Technology P2 (Theory), Marine Sciences P1
• Friday, 14 November: Life Sciences P1 and Electrical Technology
Week 5: Geography, Economics, Tourism and Agriculture
• Monday, 17 November: Life Sciences P2; Dramatic Arts
• Tuesday, 18 November: Geography P2 (Rural/Urban and Economic Geography), Engineering Graphics and Design P2
• Wednesday, 19 November: Economics P1; Tourism
• Thursday, 20 November: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL P2, FAL and SAL P2; Agricultural Sciences P2
• Friday, 21 November: Afrikaans HL, FAL, and SAL P2; Economics P2
Week 6: Practical Subjects, Rewrites and Arts
• Monday, 24 November: Agricultural Technology, Music P1 Theory
• Tuesday, 25 November: Consumer Studies, Hospitality Studies, Dance P1
• Wednesday, 26 November: Agricultural Management Practices, Marine Sciences P2, Music P2 Comprehension
• Thursday, 27 November: Final day features CAT P1 and IT P1 practical rewrites
Additional Important Dates
• Friday, 17 October 2025: Pledge Signing Ceremony across the country
• Monday, 1 September 2025: Life Orientation (LO CAT) examination (2½hrs)
• Tuesday, 14 October 2025: Life Orientation (LO CAT) Rewrites
• 14 – 24 August 2025: Performing Arts Practical
• 14 – 24 October 2025: Visual Arts and Design Practical
