The Department of Basic Education’s 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination timetable sets out the final examination schedule for Grade 12 learners across Gauteng and South Africa, with written papers running from 13 October to 26 November 2026. The timetable covers Mathematics, English, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting, Business Studies, languages and other subjects, with examinations scheduled for 09:00 and 14:00. Matric learners and parents can use the full schedule to confirm subject dates, paper durations and examination sessions before the final examinations begin.
The official timetable also includes Life Orientation assessments, practical examinations, designated days without scheduled examinations and practical rewrite sessions.
ALSO READ: Matric Exams 2026 Start Next Week: Key Dates And Final Study Advice For Gauteng Pupils
When Do The 2026 Matric Exams Start And End?
The main written NSC examination timetable begins on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, with Computer Applications Technology Paper 1 Practical.
The final scheduled practical rewrite examinations take place on Thursday, 26 November 2026.
The timetable also includes earlier assessments:
- 1 September: Life Orientation Common Assessment Task
- 3 August to 9 October: Performing Arts Practical
- 14 September to 13 October: Visual Arts and Design Practical
- 9 October: Matric pledge signing
- 12 October: Life Orientation Common Assessment Task rewrite
The main timetable is divided into 7 weeks.
Full Matric Exam Timetable For October 2026
The following tables summarise the official Department of Basic Education timetable. HL means Home Language, FAL means First Additional Language and SAL means Second Additional Language.
Week 1: 12 To 16 October
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, 12 Oct | Life Orientation CAT rewrite | None listed |
| Tue, 13 Oct | CAT Paper 1 Practical | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and German Paper 1; Hebrew SAL Paper 1 |
| Wed, 14 Oct | IT Paper 1 Practical | Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian, Spanish, Latin and Portuguese Paper 1 |
| Thu, 15 Oct | English HL, FAL and SAL Paper 3 | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Hebrew and German Paper 2 |
| Fri, 16 Oct | Economics Paper 1; Mechanical Technology | Design Paper 1 |
The CAT and IT practical examinations are each scheduled for 3 hours. English Paper 3 runs for 3 hours at Home Language level and 2 hours 30 minutes at First and Second Additional Language levels.
Week 2: 19 To 23 October
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, 19 Oct | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele Paper 3 | Agricultural Sciences Paper 1 |
| Tue, 20 Oct | Afrikaans Paper 3 | History Paper 1; Maritime Economics |
| Wed, 21 Oct | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda and South African Sign Language Paper 3 | IT Paper 2 Theory |
| Thu, 22 Oct | Accounting Paper 1 | Engineering Graphics and Design Paper 1; Marine Sciences Paper 1 |
| Fri, 23 Oct | Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics Paper 1 | Selected Indian languages, Portuguese and German Paper 3 |
Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics Paper 1 are each scheduled for 3 hours.
Week 3: 26 To 30 October
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, 26 Oct | Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics Paper 2 | Sport and Exercise Science |
| Tue, 27 Oct | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda and South African Sign Language Paper 1 | Engineering Graphics and Design Paper 2 |
| Wed, 28 Oct | English HL, FAL and SAL Paper 1 | Accounting Paper 2 |
| Thu, 29 Oct | Geography Paper 1 | CAT Paper 2 Theory |
| Fri, 30 Oct | Physical Sciences Paper 1 Physics; Technical Sciences Paper 1 | Tourism |
Geography Paper 1 covers climate and weather, geomorphology and map work. The Physical Sciences Physics paper is scheduled for 3 hours.
Full Matric Exam Timetable For November 2026
Week 4: 2 To 6 November
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, 2 Nov | Physical Sciences Paper 2 Chemistry; Technical Sciences Paper 2 | Religion Studies Paper 1 |
| Tue, 3 Nov | No examination scheduled | No examination scheduled |
| Wed, 4 Nov | No examination scheduled | No examination scheduled |
| Thu, 5 Nov | No examination scheduled | No examination scheduled |
| Fri, 6 Nov | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele Paper 1 | Consumer Studies; Hospitality Studies |
The timetable identifies 3 to 5 November as days without scheduled examinations.
Week 5: 9 To 13 November
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, 9 Nov | No examination scheduled | No examination scheduled |
| Tue, 10 Nov | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele Paper 2 | Electrical Technology; Nautical Science Paper 1 |
| Wed, 11 Nov | Afrikaans Paper 1 | Business Studies Paper 1 |
| Thu, 12 Nov | Geography Paper 2 | Religion Studies Paper 2 |
| Fri, 13 Nov | Life Sciences Paper 1 | Selected foreign languages Paper 2; Equine Studies |
Geography Paper 2 covers rural and urban settlements, economic geography of South Africa and map work.
Life Sciences Paper 1 is scheduled for 2 hours 30 minutes.
Week 6: 16 To 20 November
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, 16 Nov | Life Sciences Paper 2 | Dramatic Arts; Civil Technology |
| Tue, 17 Nov | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda and South African Sign Language Paper 2 | Agricultural Sciences Paper 2; Nautical Science Paper 2 |
| Wed, 18 Nov | Business Studies Paper 2 | Visual Arts Paper 1 |
| Thu, 19 Nov | English HL, FAL and SAL Paper 2 | History Paper 2 |
| Fri, 20 Nov | Afrikaans HL, FAL and SAL Paper 2 | Economics Paper 2 |
English Home Language and First Additional Language Paper 2 are scheduled for 2 hours 30 minutes. English Second Additional Language Paper 2 runs for 1 hour 30 minutes.
Week 7: 23 To 27 November
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, 23 Nov | Agricultural Technology | Music Paper 1 Theory |
| Tue, 24 Nov | Agricultural Management Practices; Marine Sciences Paper 2 | Dance Studies |
| Wed, 25 Nov | Music Paper 2 Comprehension | None listed |
| Thu, 26 Nov | CAT Paper 1 Practical rewrite; IT Paper 1 Practical rewrite | None listed |
| Fri, 27 Nov | No examination listed | No examination listed |
The CAT and IT practical rewrite examinations on 26 November are each scheduled for 3 hours.
Key Matric Exam Dates Learners Should Remember
| Subject | Paper Dates |
| Mathematics | 23 and 26 October |
| Mathematical Literacy | 23 and 26 October |
| English Paper 3 | 15 October |
| English Papers 1 and 2 | 28 October and 19 November |
| Physical Sciences | 30 October and 2 November |
| Life Sciences | 13 and 16 November |
| Accounting | 22 and 28 October |
| Business Studies | 11 and 18 November |
| Economics | 16 October and 20 November |
| Tourism | 30 October |
These dates reflect the national timetable. Learners must confirm their exact subject papers and examination sessions.
What This Means For Gauteng Residents
For Gauteng matric learners, the examination period stretches across October and November, with several major subjects scheduled close together.
Mathematics Paper 1 takes place on 23 October, followed by Paper 2 on 26 October. Physical Sciences papers follow on 30 October and 2 November.
Parents and guardians can use the timetable to help learners plan revision around their registered subjects.
Learners should also pay attention to afternoon sessions, particularly for subjects such as Tourism, Business Studies, Economics and History.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Do The 2026 Matric Exams Start?
The main written examination timetable begins on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. Earlier practical assessments and Life Orientation assessments are also included in the official schedule.
When Do The 2026 Matric Exams End?
The final scheduled practical rewrite examinations take place on Thursday, 26 November 2026. No examination is listed for Friday, 27 November.
When Are Mathematics Paper 1 And Paper 2?
Mathematics Paper 1 is scheduled for Friday, 23 October, and Paper 2 for Monday, 26 October. Both begin at 09:00.
When Are Physical Sciences Papers Written?
Physical Sciences Paper 1 Physics is scheduled for 30 October, while Paper 2 Chemistry takes place on 2 November.
What Time Do Matric Exams Start?
Morning examinations begin at 09:00, while afternoon examinations start at 14:00, according to the official timetable.
What Matric Learners Should Do Next
Grade 12 learners should check the full timetable against their registered subjects and confirm the correct examination date, paper number, starting time and duration.
The Department of Basic Education’s timetable covers examinations across 7 weeks, including practical assessments, language papers and major written subjects.
For timetable enquiries, the department lists Dr R Poliah at the Chief Directorate: National Assessment and Public Examinations on 012 357 3900.
