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2026 matric exam timetable (NSC October/November)
The 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) final exams are written from Tuesday 13 October 2026 to Thursday 26 November 2026, with every paper starting at 09:00 or 14:00 South African time, according to the Department of Basic Education timetable.
- First paper
- 13 October
- Last paper
- 26 November
- Exam days
- 29
- Sessions done
- 24 of 56
Which matric paper is written next?
As of 29 October 2026, 02:06 SAST, 24 of 56 exam sessions are done.
- Geography P1 (Climate and Weather, Geomorphology and Map Work)Thursday 29 October 2026 at 09:00, 3 hoursUpcoming
Full 2026 NSC timetable by date
HL is Home Language, FAL First Additional Language and SAL Second Additional Language. Rows that share a session and a duration are combined.
Week 1: 12–16 October 2026
| Date | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 13 October | 09:00 | Computer Applications Technology P1 (practical) | 3 hours | Written | Computer Applications Technology |
| 14:00 | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu HL, FAL and SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | Hebrew SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | German HL, FAL and SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — | |
| Wed 14 October | 09:00 | Information Technology P1 (practical) | 3 hours | Written | Information Technology |
| 14:00 | Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian and Spanish SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | Latin SAL P1 | 3 hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | Portuguese HL, FAL and SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — | |
| Thu 15 October | 09:00 | English HL P3 | 3 hours | Written | English HL |
| 09:00 | English FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | English FAL | |
| 09:00 | English SAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu HL P2 | 2½ hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu FAL and SAL P2 | 2 hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | Hebrew SAL P2 | 2 hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | German HL P2 | 2½ hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | German FAL and SAL P2 | 2 hours | Written | — | |
| Fri 16 October | 09:00 | Economics P1 | 2 hours | Written | Economics |
| 09:00 | Mechanical Technology | 3 hours | Written | Mechanical Technology | |
| 14:00 | Design P1 | 3 hours | Written | Design |
Week 2: 19–23 October 2026
| Date | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 19 October | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele HL P3 | 3 hours | Written | isiZulu HLisiXhosa HLsiSwati HLisiNdebele HL |
| 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | isiZulu FALisiXhosa FALsiSwati FALisiNdebele FAL | |
| 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele SAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | isiXhosa SALisiNdebele SAL | |
| 14:00 | Agricultural Sciences P1 | 2½ hours | Written | Agricultural Sciences | |
| Tue 20 October | 09:00 | Afrikaans HL P3 | 3 hours | Written | Afrikaans HL |
| 09:00 | Afrikaans FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | Afrikaans FAL | |
| 09:00 | Afrikaans SAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | Afrikaans SAL | |
| 14:00 | History P1 | 3 hours | Written | History | |
| 14:00 | Maritime Economics | 3 hours | Written | — | |
| Wed 21 October | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda HL P3 | 3 hours | Written | Sepedi HLSesotho HLSetswana HLXitsonga HLTshivenda HL |
| 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | Sepedi FALSesotho FALSetswana FALXitsonga FALTshivenda FAL | |
| 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda SAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | Sepedi SALSesotho SAL | |
| 09:00 | South African Sign Language HL P3 | 3 hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | Information Technology P2 (theory) | 3 hours | Written | Information Technology | |
| Thu 22 October | 09:00 | Accounting P1 · study guide | 2 hours | Written | Accounting |
| 14:00 | Engineering Graphics and Design P1 | 3 hours | Written | Engineering Graphics and Design | |
| 14:00 | Marine Sciences P1 | 2½ hours | Written | Marine Sciences | |
| Fri 23 October | 09:00 | Mathematics P1 · study guide | 3 hours | Written | Mathematics |
| 09:00 | Mathematical Literacy P1 · study guide | 3 hours | Written | Mathematical Literacy | |
| 09:00 | Technical Mathematics P1 | 3 hours | Written | Technical Mathematics | |
| 14:00 | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu HL and FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | Portuguese and German HL and FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | — |
Week 3: 26–30 October 2026
| Date | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 26 October | 09:00 | Mathematics P2 · study guide | 3 hours | Written | Mathematics |
| 09:00 | Mathematical Literacy P2 · study guide | 3 hours | Written | Mathematical Literacy | |
| 09:00 | Technical Mathematics P2 | 3 hours | Written | Technical Mathematics | |
| 14:00 | Sport and Exercise Science | 3 hours | Written | — | |
| Tue 27 October | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda HL P1 | 2 hours | Written | Sepedi HLSesotho HLSetswana HLXitsonga HLTshivenda HL |
| 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda FAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | Sepedi FALSesotho FALSetswana FALXitsonga FALTshivenda FAL | |
| 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | Sepedi SALSesotho SAL | |
| 09:00 | South African Sign Language HL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | Engineering Graphics and Design P2 | 3 hours | Written | Engineering Graphics and Design | |
| Wed 28 October | 09:00 | English HL P1 | 2 hours | Written | English HL |
| 09:00 | English FAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | English FAL | |
| 09:00 | English SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — | |
| 14:00 | Accounting P2 · study guide | 2 hours | Written | Accounting | |
| Thu 29 October | 09:00 | Geography P1 (Climate and Weather, Geomorphology and Map Work) · study guide | 3 hours | Upcoming | Geography |
| 14:00 | Computer Applications Technology P2 (theory) | 3 hours | Upcoming | Computer Applications Technology | |
| Fri 30 October | 09:00 | Physical Sciences P1 (Physics) · study guide | 3 hours | Upcoming | Physical Sciences |
| 09:00 | Technical Sciences P1 | 3 hours | Upcoming | Technical Sciences | |
| 14:00 | Tourism | 3 hours | Upcoming | Tourism |
Week 4: 2–6 November 2026
| Date | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 2 November | 09:00 | Physical Sciences P2 (Chemistry) · study guide | 3 hours | Upcoming | Physical Sciences |
| 09:00 | Technical Sciences P2 | 1½ hours | Upcoming | Technical Sciences | |
| 14:00 | Religion Studies P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | Religion Studies | |
| Fri 6 November | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele HL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | isiZulu HLisiXhosa HLsiSwati HLisiNdebele HL |
| 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele FAL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | isiZulu FALisiXhosa FALsiSwati FALisiNdebele FAL | |
| 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele SAL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | isiXhosa SALisiNdebele SAL | |
| 14:00 | Consumer Studies | 3 hours | Upcoming | Consumer Studies | |
| 14:00 | Hospitality Studies | 3 hours | Upcoming | Hospitality Studies |
Week 5: 9–13 November 2026
| Date | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 10 November | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | isiZulu HLisiXhosa HLsiSwati HLisiNdebele HL |
| 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele FAL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | isiZulu FALisiXhosa FALsiSwati FALisiNdebele FAL | |
| 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele SAL P2 | 1½ hours | Upcoming | isiXhosa SALisiNdebele SAL | |
| 14:00 | Electrical Technology | 3 hours | Upcoming | Electrical Technology | |
| 14:00 | Nautical Science P1 | 3 hours | Upcoming | — | |
| Wed 11 November | 09:00 | Afrikaans HL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | Afrikaans HL |
| 09:00 | Afrikaans FAL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | Afrikaans FAL | |
| 09:00 | Afrikaans SAL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | Afrikaans SAL | |
| 14:00 | Business Studies P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | Business Studies | |
| Thu 12 November | 09:00 | Geography P2 (Rural and Urban Settlements, Economic Geography of SA and Map Work) · study guide | 3 hours | Upcoming | Geography |
| 14:00 | Religion Studies P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | Religion Studies | |
| Fri 13 November | 09:00 | Life Sciences P1 · study guide | 2½ hours | Upcoming | Life Sciences |
| 14:00 | Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian and Spanish SAL P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | — | |
| 14:00 | Latin SAL P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | — | |
| 14:00 | Portuguese HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | — | |
| 14:00 | Portuguese FAL and SAL P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | — | |
| 14:00 | Equine Studies | 3 hours | Upcoming | — |
Week 6: 16–20 November 2026
| Date | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 16 November | 09:00 | Life Sciences P2 · study guide | 2½ hours | Upcoming | Life Sciences |
| 14:00 | Dramatic Arts | 3 hours | Upcoming | Dramatic Arts | |
| 14:00 | Civil Technology | 3 hours | Upcoming | Civil Technology | |
| Tue 17 November | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | Sepedi HLSesotho HLSetswana HLXitsonga HLTshivenda HL |
| 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda FAL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | Sepedi FALSesotho FALSetswana FALXitsonga FALTshivenda FAL | |
| 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda SAL P2 | 1½ hours | Upcoming | Sepedi SALSesotho SAL | |
| 09:00 | South African Sign Language HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | — | |
| 14:00 | Agricultural Sciences P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | Agricultural Sciences | |
| 14:00 | Nautical Science P2 | 3 hours | Upcoming | — | |
| Wed 18 November | 09:00 | Business Studies P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | Business Studies |
| 14:00 | Visual Arts P1 | 3 hours | Upcoming | Visual Arts | |
| Thu 19 November | 09:00 | English HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | English HL |
| 09:00 | English FAL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | English FAL | |
| 09:00 | English SAL P2 | 1½ hours | Upcoming | — | |
| 14:00 | History P2 | 3 hours | Upcoming | History | |
| Fri 20 November | 09:00 | Afrikaans HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | Afrikaans HL |
| 09:00 | Afrikaans FAL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | Afrikaans FAL | |
| 09:00 | Afrikaans SAL P2 | 1½ hours | Upcoming | Afrikaans SAL | |
| 14:00 | Economics P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | Economics |
Week 7: 23–27 November 2026
| Date | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 23 November | 09:00 | Agricultural Technology | 3 hours | Upcoming | Agricultural Technology |
| 14:00 | Music P1 (theory) | 3 hours | Upcoming | Music | |
| Tue 24 November | 09:00 | Agricultural Management Practices | 3 hours | Upcoming | Agricultural Management Practices |
| 09:00 | Marine Sciences P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | Marine Sciences | |
| 14:00 | Dance Studies | 3 hours | Upcoming | Dance Studies | |
| Wed 25 November | 09:00 | Music P2 (comprehension) | 1½ hours | Upcoming | Music |
| Thu 26 November | 09:00 | Computer Applications Technology P1 rewrite (practical) | 3 hours | Upcoming | Computer Applications Technology |
| 09:00 | Information Technology P1 rewrite (practical) | 3 hours | Upcoming | Information Technology |
Non-examination days: Tuesday 3 November 2026, Wednesday 4 November 2026, Thursday 5 November 2026, Monday 9 November 2026.
Which assessments come before the written papers?
Life Orientation and the arts practicals are assessed before the written papers start.
| When | Assessment | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 3 August to 9 October 2026 | Performing Arts practical | — |
| Tuesday 1 September 2026, 09:00 | Life Orientation Common Assessment Task (LO CAT) | 2½ hours |
| 14 September to 13 October 2026 | Visual Arts and Design practical | — |
| Friday 9 October 2026, 09:00 | Pledge signing | — |
| Monday 12 October 2026, 09:00 | Life Orientation CAT rewrite | 2½ hours |
How should I use the last days before each paper?
In the last days before a paper, write one recent paper for that subject in the real time limit, mark it with the memo and spend the remaining time on the questions you got wrong.
- Find your next paper in the table and open its past-paper hub.
- Two or three days before, write the November 2025 paper for that subject in the time shown in the table, then mark it with the memo.
- Redo every question you lost marks on, then practise those topics with questions by topic.
- Use gaps between papers, such as the non-examination days from 3 to 5 November, for the subjects you write next.
- The night before, revise lightly, check the start time (09:00 or 14:00) and pack your calculator, pens and ruler.
Grade 12 study guides
- Grade 12 MathematicsPapers, topics and a revision plan
- Grade 12 Physical SciencesPapers, topics and a revision plan
- Grade 12 Life SciencesPapers, topics and a revision plan
- Grade 12 AccountingPapers, topics and a revision plan
- Grade 12 Mathematical LiteracyPapers, topics and a revision plan
- Grade 12 GeographyPapers, topics and a revision plan
Practise any subject from all Grade 12 past papers and memos.
Common questions about the 2026 matric exams
Can’t find your answer? Contact us
When do the 2026 matric exams start and end?
The written papers start on Tuesday 13 October 2026 with Computer Applications Technology P1 (practical) and end on Thursday 26 November 2026 with the Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology practical rewrites.
What time do matric exams start?
Every paper starts at 09:00 or 14:00 South African time. Papers last between 1½ and 3 hours.
When are the 2026 Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy papers?
Paper 1 of Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics is on Friday 23 October 2026 at 09:00, and Paper 2 on Monday 26 October 2026 at 09:00. Each paper is 3 hours.
When are the 2026 Physical Sciences and Life Sciences papers?
Physical Sciences Paper 1 (Physics) is on Friday 30 October 2026 at 09:00 and Paper 2 (Chemistry) on Monday 2 November 2026 at 09:00. Life Sciences Paper 1 is on Friday 13 November 2026 at 09:00 and Paper 2 on Monday 16 November 2026 at 09:00.
When is English First Additional Language Paper 1?
English FAL Paper 1 is on Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 09:00 and lasts 2 hours. Paper 3 was written on Thursday 15 October 2026 at 09:00 and Paper 2 is on Thursday 19 November 2026 at 09:00.
Are there days without exams during the NSC exams?
Yes. The DBE timetable marks Tuesday 3 November 2026, Wednesday 4 November 2026, Thursday 5 November 2026 and Monday 9 November 2026 as non-examination days.
When is the Life Orientation CAT?
The Life Orientation Common Assessment Task was written on Tuesday 1 September 2026, 09:00, with a rewrite on Monday 12 October 2026, 09:00. Each sitting is 2½ hours.
Source
Department of Basic Education, February 2026 version, checked on Wednesday 28 October 2026. Confirm dates with your school, as the DBE can publish changes.
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