# 2026 matric exam timetable (NSC October/November)

> Every 2026 NSC final exam paper by date, with the session start time and duration from the DBE timetable, which papers are already written, and the past papers to practise for each one.

- Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/matric-exam-timetable-2026
- Updated: 2026-10-28
- First paper: Tuesday 13 October 2026
- Last paper: Thursday 26 November 2026
- Exam days: 29
- Sessions: 09:00 and 14:00 (SAST)
- Status worked out at: 29 October 2026, 00:35 SAST
- Source: Department of Basic Education, October/November 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examinations Timetable (February 2026)

Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [2026 matric exam timetable](https://www.hlayiso.com/matric-exam-timetable-2026)

## Which matric paper is written next?

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.

As of 29 October 2026, 00:35 SAST, 24 of 56 exam sessions are done.

Next session: Thursday 29 October 2026 at 09:00: Geography P1 (Climate and Weather, Geomorphology and Map Work).

## 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.

Non-examination days: Tuesday 3 November 2026, Wednesday 4 November 2026, Thursday 5 November 2026, Monday 9 November 2026.

### Week 1: 12–16 October 2026

| Date | Day | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 13 October | Tuesday | 09:00 | Computer Applications Technology P1 (practical) | 3 hours | Written | [Computer Applications Technology](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/computer-applications-technology/past-papers) |
| 13 October | Tuesday | 14:00 | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu HL, FAL and SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — |
| 13 October | Tuesday | 14:00 | Hebrew SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — |
| 13 October | Tuesday | 14:00 | German HL, FAL and SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — |
| 14 October | Wednesday | 09:00 | Information Technology P1 (practical) | 3 hours | Written | [Information Technology](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/information-technology/past-papers) |
| 14 October | Wednesday | 14:00 | Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian and Spanish SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — |
| 14 October | Wednesday | 14:00 | Latin SAL P1 | 3 hours | Written | — |
| 14 October | Wednesday | 14:00 | Portuguese HL, FAL and SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — |
| 15 October | Thursday | 09:00 | English HL P3 | 3 hours | Written | [English HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/english-hl/past-papers) |
| 15 October | Thursday | 09:00 | English FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | [English FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/english-fal/past-papers) |
| 15 October | Thursday | 09:00 | English SAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | — |
| 15 October | Thursday | 14:00 | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu HL P2 | 2½ hours | Written | — |
| 15 October | Thursday | 14:00 | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu FAL and SAL P2 | 2 hours | Written | — |
| 15 October | Thursday | 14:00 | Hebrew SAL P2 | 2 hours | Written | — |
| 15 October | Thursday | 14:00 | German HL P2 | 2½ hours | Written | — |
| 15 October | Thursday | 14:00 | German FAL and SAL P2 | 2 hours | Written | — |
| 16 October | Friday | 09:00 | Economics P1 | 2 hours | Written | [Economics](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/economics/past-papers) |
| 16 October | Friday | 09:00 | Mechanical Technology | 3 hours | Written | [Mechanical Technology](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/mechanical-technology/past-papers) |
| 16 October | Friday | 14:00 | Design P1 | 3 hours | Written | [Design](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/design/past-papers) |

### Week 2: 19–23 October 2026

| Date | Day | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 19 October | Monday | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele HL P3 | 3 hours | Written | [isiZulu HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isizulu-hl/past-papers), [isiXhosa HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isixhosa-hl/past-papers), [siSwati HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/siswati-hl/past-papers), [isiNdebele HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isindebele-hl/past-papers) |
| 19 October | Monday | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | [isiZulu FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isizulu-fal/past-papers), [isiXhosa FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isixhosa-fal/past-papers), [siSwati FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/siswati-fal/past-papers), [isiNdebele FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isindebele-fal/past-papers) |
| 19 October | Monday | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele SAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | [isiXhosa SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isixhosa-sal/past-papers), [isiNdebele SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isindebele-sal/past-papers) |
| 19 October | Monday | 14:00 | Agricultural Sciences P1 | 2½ hours | Written | [Agricultural Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/agricultural-sciences/past-papers) |
| 20 October | Tuesday | 09:00 | Afrikaans HL P3 | 3 hours | Written | [Afrikaans HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/afrikaans-hl/past-papers) |
| 20 October | Tuesday | 09:00 | Afrikaans FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | [Afrikaans FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/afrikaans-fal/past-papers) |
| 20 October | Tuesday | 09:00 | Afrikaans SAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | [Afrikaans SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/afrikaans-sal/past-papers) |
| 20 October | Tuesday | 14:00 | History P1 | 3 hours | Written | [History](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/history/past-papers) |
| 20 October | Tuesday | 14:00 | Maritime Economics | 3 hours | Written | — |
| 21 October | Wednesday | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda HL P3 | 3 hours | Written | [Sepedi HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sepedi-hl/past-papers), [Sesotho HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sesotho-hl/past-papers), [Setswana HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/setswana-hl/past-papers), [Xitsonga HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/xitsonga-hl/past-papers), [Tshivenda HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/tshivenda-hl/past-papers) |
| 21 October | Wednesday | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | [Sepedi FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sepedi-fal/past-papers), [Sesotho FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sesotho-fal/past-papers), [Setswana FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/setswana-fal/past-papers), [Xitsonga FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/xitsonga-fal/past-papers), [Tshivenda FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/tshivenda-fal/past-papers) |
| 21 October | Wednesday | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda SAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | [Sepedi SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sepedi-sal/past-papers), [Sesotho SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sesotho-sal/past-papers) |
| 21 October | Wednesday | 09:00 | South African Sign Language HL P3 | 3 hours | Written | — |
| 21 October | Wednesday | 14:00 | Information Technology P2 (theory) | 3 hours | Written | [Information Technology](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/information-technology/past-papers) |
| 22 October | Thursday | 09:00 | Accounting P1 | 2 hours | Written | [Accounting](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/accounting/past-papers) |
| 22 October | Thursday | 14:00 | Engineering Graphics and Design P1 | 3 hours | Written | [Engineering Graphics and Design](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/engineering-graphic-and-design/past-papers) |
| 22 October | Thursday | 14:00 | Marine Sciences P1 | 2½ hours | Written | [Marine Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/marine-sciences/past-papers) |
| 23 October | Friday | 09:00 | Mathematics P1 | 3 hours | Written | [Mathematics](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/mathematics/past-papers) |
| 23 October | Friday | 09:00 | Mathematical Literacy P1 | 3 hours | Written | [Mathematical Literacy](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/mathematical-literacy/past-papers) |
| 23 October | Friday | 09:00 | Technical Mathematics P1 | 3 hours | Written | [Technical Mathematics](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/technical-mathematics/past-papers) |
| 23 October | Friday | 14:00 | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu HL and FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | — |
| 23 October | Friday | 14:00 | Portuguese and German HL and FAL P3 | 2½ hours | Written | — |

### Week 3: 26–30 October 2026

| Date | Day | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 26 October | Monday | 09:00 | Mathematics P2 | 3 hours | Written | [Mathematics](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/mathematics/past-papers) |
| 26 October | Monday | 09:00 | Mathematical Literacy P2 | 3 hours | Written | [Mathematical Literacy](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/mathematical-literacy/past-papers) |
| 26 October | Monday | 09:00 | Technical Mathematics P2 | 3 hours | Written | [Technical Mathematics](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/technical-mathematics/past-papers) |
| 26 October | Monday | 14:00 | Sport and Exercise Science | 3 hours | Written | — |
| 27 October | Tuesday | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda HL P1 | 2 hours | Written | [Sepedi HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sepedi-hl/past-papers), [Sesotho HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sesotho-hl/past-papers), [Setswana HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/setswana-hl/past-papers), [Xitsonga HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/xitsonga-hl/past-papers), [Tshivenda HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/tshivenda-hl/past-papers) |
| 27 October | Tuesday | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda FAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | [Sepedi FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sepedi-fal/past-papers), [Sesotho FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sesotho-fal/past-papers), [Setswana FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/setswana-fal/past-papers), [Xitsonga FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/xitsonga-fal/past-papers), [Tshivenda FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/tshivenda-fal/past-papers) |
| 27 October | Tuesday | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | [Sepedi SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sepedi-sal/past-papers), [Sesotho SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sesotho-sal/past-papers) |
| 27 October | Tuesday | 09:00 | South African Sign Language HL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — |
| 27 October | Tuesday | 14:00 | Engineering Graphics and Design P2 | 3 hours | Written | [Engineering Graphics and Design](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/engineering-graphic-and-design/past-papers) |
| 28 October | Wednesday | 09:00 | English HL P1 | 2 hours | Written | [English HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/english-hl/past-papers) |
| 28 October | Wednesday | 09:00 | English FAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | [English FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/english-fal/past-papers) |
| 28 October | Wednesday | 09:00 | English SAL P1 | 2 hours | Written | — |
| 28 October | Wednesday | 14:00 | Accounting P2 | 2 hours | Written | [Accounting](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/accounting/past-papers) |
| 29 October | Thursday | 09:00 | Geography P1 (Climate and Weather, Geomorphology and Map Work) | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Geography](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/geography/past-papers) |
| 29 October | Thursday | 14:00 | Computer Applications Technology P2 (theory) | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Computer Applications Technology](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/computer-applications-technology/past-papers) |
| 30 October | Friday | 09:00 | Physical Sciences P1 (Physics) | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Physical Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/physical-sciences/past-papers) |
| 30 October | Friday | 09:00 | Technical Sciences P1 | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Technical Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/technical-sciences/past-papers) |
| 30 October | Friday | 14:00 | Tourism | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Tourism](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/tourism/past-papers) |

### Week 4: 2–6 November 2026

| Date | Day | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 November | Monday | 09:00 | Physical Sciences P2 (Chemistry) | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Physical Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/physical-sciences/past-papers) |
| 2 November | Monday | 09:00 | Technical Sciences P2 | 1½ hours | Upcoming | [Technical Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/technical-sciences/past-papers) |
| 2 November | Monday | 14:00 | Religion Studies P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | [Religion Studies](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/religion-studies/past-papers) |
| 6 November | Friday | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele HL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | [isiZulu HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isizulu-hl/past-papers), [isiXhosa HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isixhosa-hl/past-papers), [siSwati HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/siswati-hl/past-papers), [isiNdebele HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isindebele-hl/past-papers) |
| 6 November | Friday | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele FAL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | [isiZulu FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isizulu-fal/past-papers), [isiXhosa FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isixhosa-fal/past-papers), [siSwati FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/siswati-fal/past-papers), [isiNdebele FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isindebele-fal/past-papers) |
| 6 November | Friday | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele SAL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | [isiXhosa SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isixhosa-sal/past-papers), [isiNdebele SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isindebele-sal/past-papers) |
| 6 November | Friday | 14:00 | Consumer Studies | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Consumer Studies](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/consumer-studies/past-papers) |
| 6 November | Friday | 14:00 | Hospitality Studies | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Hospitality Studies](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/hospitality-studies/past-papers) |

### Week 5: 9–13 November 2026

| Date | Day | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 10 November | Tuesday | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [isiZulu HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isizulu-hl/past-papers), [isiXhosa HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isixhosa-hl/past-papers), [siSwati HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/siswati-hl/past-papers), [isiNdebele HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isindebele-hl/past-papers) |
| 10 November | Tuesday | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele FAL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [isiZulu FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isizulu-fal/past-papers), [isiXhosa FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isixhosa-fal/past-papers), [siSwati FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/siswati-fal/past-papers), [isiNdebele FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isindebele-fal/past-papers) |
| 10 November | Tuesday | 09:00 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele SAL P2 | 1½ hours | Upcoming | [isiXhosa SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isixhosa-sal/past-papers), [isiNdebele SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/isindebele-sal/past-papers) |
| 10 November | Tuesday | 14:00 | Electrical Technology | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Electrical Technology](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/electrical-technology/past-papers) |
| 10 November | Tuesday | 14:00 | Nautical Science P1 | 3 hours | Upcoming | — |
| 11 November | Wednesday | 09:00 | Afrikaans HL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | [Afrikaans HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/afrikaans-hl/past-papers) |
| 11 November | Wednesday | 09:00 | Afrikaans FAL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | [Afrikaans FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/afrikaans-fal/past-papers) |
| 11 November | Wednesday | 09:00 | Afrikaans SAL P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | [Afrikaans SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/afrikaans-sal/past-papers) |
| 11 November | Wednesday | 14:00 | Business Studies P1 | 2 hours | Upcoming | [Business Studies](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/business-studies/past-papers) |
| 12 November | Thursday | 09:00 | Geography P2 (Rural and Urban Settlements, Economic Geography of SA and Map Work) | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Geography](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/geography/past-papers) |
| 12 November | Thursday | 14:00 | Religion Studies P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | [Religion Studies](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/religion-studies/past-papers) |
| 13 November | Friday | 09:00 | Life Sciences P1 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [Life Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/life-sciences/past-papers) |
| 13 November | Friday | 14:00 | Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian and Spanish SAL P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | — |
| 13 November | Friday | 14:00 | Latin SAL P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | — |
| 13 November | Friday | 14:00 | Portuguese HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | — |
| 13 November | Friday | 14:00 | Portuguese FAL and SAL P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | — |
| 13 November | Friday | 14:00 | Equine Studies | 3 hours | Upcoming | — |

### Week 6: 16–20 November 2026

| Date | Day | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 16 November | Monday | 09:00 | Life Sciences P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [Life Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/life-sciences/past-papers) |
| 16 November | Monday | 14:00 | Dramatic Arts | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Dramatic Arts](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/dramatic-arts/past-papers) |
| 16 November | Monday | 14:00 | Civil Technology | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Civil Technology](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/civil-technology/past-papers) |
| 17 November | Tuesday | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [Sepedi HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sepedi-hl/past-papers), [Sesotho HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sesotho-hl/past-papers), [Setswana HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/setswana-hl/past-papers), [Xitsonga HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/xitsonga-hl/past-papers), [Tshivenda HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/tshivenda-hl/past-papers) |
| 17 November | Tuesday | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda FAL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [Sepedi FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sepedi-fal/past-papers), [Sesotho FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sesotho-fal/past-papers), [Setswana FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/setswana-fal/past-papers), [Xitsonga FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/xitsonga-fal/past-papers), [Tshivenda FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/tshivenda-fal/past-papers) |
| 17 November | Tuesday | 09:00 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda SAL P2 | 1½ hours | Upcoming | [Sepedi SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sepedi-sal/past-papers), [Sesotho SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/sesotho-sal/past-papers) |
| 17 November | Tuesday | 09:00 | South African Sign Language HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | — |
| 17 November | Tuesday | 14:00 | Agricultural Sciences P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [Agricultural Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/agricultural-sciences/past-papers) |
| 17 November | Tuesday | 14:00 | Nautical Science P2 | 3 hours | Upcoming | — |
| 18 November | Wednesday | 09:00 | Business Studies P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | [Business Studies](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/business-studies/past-papers) |
| 18 November | Wednesday | 14:00 | Visual Arts P1 | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Visual Arts](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/visual-arts/past-papers) |
| 19 November | Thursday | 09:00 | English HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [English HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/english-hl/past-papers) |
| 19 November | Thursday | 09:00 | English FAL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [English FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/english-fal/past-papers) |
| 19 November | Thursday | 09:00 | English SAL P2 | 1½ hours | Upcoming | — |
| 19 November | Thursday | 14:00 | History P2 | 3 hours | Upcoming | [History](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/history/past-papers) |
| 20 November | Friday | 09:00 | Afrikaans HL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [Afrikaans HL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/afrikaans-hl/past-papers) |
| 20 November | Friday | 09:00 | Afrikaans FAL P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [Afrikaans FAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/afrikaans-fal/past-papers) |
| 20 November | Friday | 09:00 | Afrikaans SAL P2 | 1½ hours | Upcoming | [Afrikaans SAL](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/afrikaans-sal/past-papers) |
| 20 November | Friday | 14:00 | Economics P2 | 2 hours | Upcoming | [Economics](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/economics/past-papers) |

### Week 7: 23–27 November 2026

| Date | Day | Starts | Subject and paper | Duration | Status | Past papers |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 23 November | Monday | 09:00 | Agricultural Technology | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Agricultural Technology](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/agricultural-technology/past-papers) |
| 23 November | Monday | 14:00 | Music P1 (theory) | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Music](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/music/past-papers) |
| 24 November | Tuesday | 09:00 | Agricultural Management Practices | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Agricultural Management Practices](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/agricultural-management-practices/past-papers) |
| 24 November | Tuesday | 09:00 | Marine Sciences P2 | 2½ hours | Upcoming | [Marine Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/marine-sciences/past-papers) |
| 24 November | Tuesday | 14:00 | Dance Studies | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Dance Studies](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/dance-studies/past-papers) |
| 25 November | Wednesday | 09:00 | Music P2 (comprehension) | 1½ hours | Upcoming | [Music](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/music/past-papers) |
| 26 November | Thursday | 09:00 | Computer Applications Technology P1 rewrite (practical) | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Computer Applications Technology](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/computer-applications-technology/past-papers) |
| 26 November | Thursday | 09:00 | Information Technology P1 rewrite (practical) | 3 hours | Upcoming | [Information Technology](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/information-technology/past-papers) |

## Which assessments come before the written papers?

| 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.

- [How to study Grade 12 Mathematics (CAPS): papers, topics and a revision plan](https://www.hlayiso.com/guides/grade-12-mathematics)
- [How to study Grade 12 Physical Sciences (CAPS): papers, topics and a revision plan](https://www.hlayiso.com/guides/grade-12-physical-sciences)
- [How to study Grade 12 Life Sciences (CAPS): papers, topics and a revision plan](https://www.hlayiso.com/guides/grade-12-life-sciences)
- [How to study Grade 12 Accounting (CAPS): papers, topics and a revision plan](https://www.hlayiso.com/guides/grade-12-accounting)
- [How to study Grade 12 Mathematical Literacy (CAPS): papers, topics and a revision plan](https://www.hlayiso.com/guides/grade-12-mathematical-literacy)
- [How to study Grade 12 Geography (CAPS): papers, topics and a revision plan](https://www.hlayiso.com/guides/grade-12-geography)
- [All Grade 12 past papers and memos](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/past-papers)

- 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.

## Source

Department of Basic Education: October/November 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examinations Timetable, February 2026 version. Checked on Wednesday 28 October 2026. Confirm dates with your school, as the DBE can publish changes.

- [October/November 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examinations Timetable](https://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/Documents/Publications/2026/2026%20Nov%20NSC%20Timetable.pdf)

## Frequently asked questions

### 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.

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