Matric exams: Important dates every Grade 12 learner should know

With the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams fast approaching, take a look at the clear rundown of the key dates every matriculant, and their parents should mark on their calendar.

PRACTICAL ASSESSMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEGAN

As of today (14 November), there is around 29 days until the start of the matric final exams. For learners taking certain subjects, exam season has technically already begun. Performing Arts practical assessments have been running since August and continue through to 9 October.

Visual Arts and Design practicals are currently underway, running from 14 September to 13 October. The Life Orientation common assessment task was written on 1 September.

The main NSC written examination period runs from 13 October to 26 November 2026, with papers sat in two daily sessions being 09:00 and 14:00. The very first paper is Computer Applications Technology Paper 1 Practical, with core subjects like Mathematics Paper 1 following in the opening week.

ELECTION DAY

Election day (4 November) has officially been declared a public holiday by President Cyril Ramaphosa. This falls in the middle of the exam window and schools are used as voting stations in South Africa. So, it is important to note, the Department of Basic Education has confirmed no NSC papers are scheduled on election day, or on the days immediately before and after it. So, schools can serve as voting stations without disrupting matric candidates.

Once writing concludes on 26 November, marking and verification begin immediately. Based on the pattern followed in recent years, results are typically announced by the Minister of Basic Education in mid-January, with individual results made available to candidates shortly after, usually via schools, the DBE website, SMS/USSD, or the MatricsMate app.

Learners should confirm the exact 2026 results release date closer to the time, as it is announced separately once marking is finalised.

With practicals already running and written exams weeks away, learners should prioritise past-paper practice in high-weighting subjects, confirm their registration details are correct, and check whether their province is running a Spring School revision programme over the September holidays.