How to study Grade 12 Physical Sciences (CAPS): papers, topics and a revision plan
Grade 12 Physical Sciences is examined in two 3-hour papers of 150 marks each: Paper 1 is Physics and Paper 2 is Chemistry, and each opens with 10 multiple-choice questions worth 20 marks.
- Papers
- 2
- Total marks
- 300
- Time per paper
- 3 hours
How is the Grade 12 Physical Sciences exam set out?
You write a Physics paper and a Chemistry paper, each 3 hours and 150 marks: 20 marks of multiple choice, then 130 marks of structured questions.
| Paper | What it covers | Marks | Time | 2026 NSC date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Physics | Question 1: 10 multiple-choice questions (20 marks); Questions 2 onwards: structured questions (130 marks) | 150 | 3 hours | Friday 30 October 2026, 09:00 |
| Paper 2: Chemistry | Question 1: 10 multiple-choice questions (20 marks); Questions 2 onwards: structured questions (130 marks) | 150 | 3 hours | Monday 2 November 2026, 09:00 |
- Cognitive levels in Physics: recall 15%, comprehension 35%, applying and analysing 40%, evaluating and creating 10%. Chemistry is 15%, 40%, 35% and 10%.
- A separate data and formula sheet comes with each paper.
- Grade 10 and 11 work such as equations of motion, sound and electromagnetism is not asked directly but can be needed to answer Grade 12 questions.
Every Grade 12 paper and its start time is on the 2026 matric exam timetable.
What does each Physical Sciences paper cover?
Mechanics is the biggest part of Paper 1 (65 of 150 marks) and chemical change is the biggest part of Paper 2 (92 of 150 marks).
| Paper | Topic | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mechanics: Newton’s laws, momentum, vertical projectile motion, work, energy and power | 65 |
| Paper 1 | Waves, sound and light: the Doppler effect | 15 |
| Paper 1 | Electricity and magnetism: electrostatics, electric circuits, electrodynamics | 55 |
| Paper 1 | Matter and materials: photoelectric effect, emission and absorption spectra | 15 |
| Paper 2 | Chemical change: stoichiometry, energy, rates, equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry | 92 |
| Paper 2 | Matter and materials: intermolecular forces, organic molecules | 58 |
- Stoichiometry is not set as its own question; it is assessed inside other Chemistry questions.
- The chemical industry (fertilisers) is not in the examinable topic list of the 2021 guidelines, although older papers include it.
- The 2021 errata corrected the work-energy theorem: the net work done on an object by a net force equals the change in its kinetic energy.
How do I revise each Physical Sciences topic on Hlayiso?
Learn each topic’s definitions from the notes first, then practise its calculations with questions by topic.
As of October 2026, Hlayiso has 742 Grade 12 Physical Sciences past papers and memos (306 of them memos), 1 399 past exam questions sorted by topic and 75 note sections, all free to read.
| Topic | How to revise | Practise |
|---|---|---|
| Newton’s laws and forces | Draw a free-body diagram for every problem and apply Newton’s second law to each body separately. | 157 questions |
| Momentum and impulse | Choose a positive direction before writing the conservation of momentum equation. | 81 questions |
| Vertical projectile motion | Practise drawing and reading position, velocity and acceleration graphs. | 79 questions |
| Work, energy and power | State the work-energy theorem with "net work" and list every force before calculating. | 83 questions |
| Doppler effect | Decide whether the source moves towards or away from the listener before substituting. | 79 questions |
| Electrostatics | Treat force and field as vectors: draw them, then add them. | 90 questions |
| Electric circuits | Revise Grade 11 series and parallel rules, then add internal resistance. | 83 questions |
| Electrodynamics and optical phenomena | Learn generator and motor parts, then the photoelectric equation and spectra from their own notes. | 70 questions |
| Organic molecules | Practise IUPAC names (hyphens count) and show every hydrogen atom in structural formulae. | 256 questions |
| Chemical equilibrium | Use a table for Kc calculations and leave solids out of the Kc expression. | 68 questions |
| Acids and bases | Practise titration and pH calculations end to end with the stoichiometry. | 67 questions |
| Electrochemistry | Use the table of standard reduction potentials to find the oxidising agent and the cell emf. | 107 questions |
What is a good six-week Physical Sciences revision plan?
Use six weeks to diagnose, revise Physics, revise Chemistry and then write full timed papers.
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Write a recent Paper 1 and Paper 2 under timed conditions, mark them and list your weakest topics. Start a page of definitions. |
| Week 2 | Mechanics: Newton’s laws, momentum, vertical projectile motion, work, energy and power. |
| Week 3 | Electricity and magnetism, the Doppler effect and the photoelectric effect. |
| Week 4 | Organic molecules, intermolecular forces, and energy and change. |
| Week 5 | Rates, equilibrium, acids and bases, and electrochemistry, with stoichiometry in every session. |
| Week 6 | Full papers only, starting with November 2025. Do Question 1 (multiple choice) of three more papers for extra practice. |
What should I do the night before each Physical Sciences paper?
The night before a Physical Sciences paper, go over definitions and the data sheet rather than new problems.
- Check the paper (Physics or Chemistry), date and 09:00 start time.
- Pack your calculator, pens, pencil, ruler and eraser.
- Read your definitions and laws aloud in the exact words of the guidelines.
- Look over the data and formula sheet so you know where each formula and symbol sits.
- Do one multiple-choice section from a past paper and check it with the memo.
- Go to bed at your usual time.
What mistakes do Physical Sciences examiners report?
Examiners reported that multiple-choice questions were again answered poorly in both November 2025 papers, and that the same errors as in earlier years came back.
- Multiple-choice options chosen by guessing; the distractors are written around known misconceptions.Instead: Work each question out before reading the options, then match your answer.
- Formulae written without the subscripts from the data sheet, substitutions not shown, units missing.Instead: Copy the formula from the data sheet, substitute in full and give the unit.
- Answers rounded during the working, or not to two decimal places at the end.Instead: Keep unrounded values in the calculator and round only the final answer.
- Definitions and laws missing key words.Instead: Learn them in the exact wording of the Examination Guidelines.
- Organic compounds named incorrectly and organic reactions weak; solids included in the equilibrium constant expression.Instead: Practise naming and reaction types daily, and check every Kc expression for solids.
- Redox and electrochemistry poorly understood, as in 2024.Instead: Practise identifying oxidation, reduction, anode and cathode in every cell you see.
- Comparisons that name only one item, such as "sodium has a smaller maximum kinetic energy".Instead: Name both items: "smaller than caesium".
Common questions about Grade 12 Physical Sciences
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When are the 2026 Grade 12 Physical Sciences papers written?
The DBE timetable sets Paper 1 (Physics) for Friday 30 October 2026 and Paper 2 (Chemistry) for Monday 2 November 2026. Both start at 09:00 and last 3 hours.
How many marks is each Physical Sciences paper?
Each paper is worth 150 marks and lasts 3 hours: 20 marks of multiple-choice questions and 130 marks of structured questions.
Which Physical Sciences topics carry the most marks?
Chemical change carries 92 of the 150 marks in Paper 2, mechanics 65 and electricity and magnetism 55 of the 150 marks in Paper 1.
What was the Grade 12 Physical Sciences pass rate in 2025?
Of the 205 017 candidates who wrote Physical Sciences in November 2025, 77.3% achieved 30% or more and 50.1% achieved 40% or more, up from 75.6% and 49.9% in 2024 (DBE 2025 Diagnostic Report).
Is the fertiliser industry examined in Grade 12 Physical Sciences?
It is not in the examinable topic list of the DBE’s 2021 Examination Guidelines. Older past papers include it, so treat those questions as optional practice.
Sources
The facts in this guide come from these Department of Basic Education documents.
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